Patents Issued in May 29, 2018
  • Patent number: 9982704
    Abstract: Internally threaded device 10 includes a main body 11 having an internal thread portion 13 and a ring-like seat portion 12 disposed between the main body 11 and a member to be fastened 30. The main body 11 has a convex portion 15 and the ring-like seat portion 12 has a concave portion 16, the convex portion 15 and the concave portion 16 have a spherical zone with a center on an axis line. The radius of the spherical shape is set to allow the convex portion 15 and the concave portion 16 to slide earlier than the internal thread portion 13 when a load is applied between the main part 11 and the member 30 in a direction crossing the axial line L. Externally threaded device 40 and washer device 50 in similar structures prevent loosening of the engaged portion easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Kazutomi Oka
  • Patent number: 9982705
    Abstract: A roller-bearing mounted shaft may include a shaft tube having a shaft outer face with at least one rolling body running face. The shaft tube may have at least one functional element joined thermally thereto, wherein the shaft tube is formed as a welded and drawn tube and includes a carbon content of greater than 0.45 percent by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Antonio Menonna, Falk Schneider, Stefan Steichele
  • Patent number: 9982706
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light rotor shaft for eco-friendly vehicles is provided which includes cutting a pipe material in a specified length to provide a pipe blank and forming the pipe blank to provide a first form having the first segment on a first side. The method further includes, forming a second form having the second segment by inserting and rotating a first side of a mandrel into the first side of the first form and concurrently hammer-forging the second side of the first form to form the second segment. The rotor shaft includes a third segment formed by inserting and rotating the second side of the mandrel into the first side of the second form to form the third segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Bong Lae Jo, Hye Min Jo
  • Patent number: 9982707
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly of a vehicle includes a yoke assembly having a shaft extending between a yoke and a flange. The yoke assembly further includes a bearing having an inner race integrally formed on an outer surface of the shaft, an outer race circumscribing the inner race, and a plurality of rotating elements rollably engaging between the inner and outer races. A tube is attached to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Peter Nicholas, Anthony Paskus, Marshall Erin Bates
  • Patent number: 9982708
    Abstract: A crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes a crank journal, a crank pin, and a crank web. The crank journal is to be supported by a crankcase and to be rotatable around a crankshaft axis. The crank pin has a crank pin axis substantially parallel to the crankshaft axis to support a connecting rod which is rotatable around the crank pin axis. The crank web is provided between the crank journal and the crank pin to connect the crank journal and the crank pin. The crank web has a hole which extends from one side face of the crank web and passes in a vicinity of a connection section between the crank pin and the crank web when viewed in an axial direction along the crankshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9982709
    Abstract: The present invention provides a half thrust bearing in a semicircular ring shape for receiving an axial force of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, including thrust reliefs formed adjacent to both circumferential end portions of a slide surface which receives the axial force, so that a wall thickness of the half thrust bearing becomes thinner toward the circumferential end portions, wherein at least the thrust relief on a rear side in a rotational direction of the crankshaft has a thrust relief length which becomes larger toward an outer end portion from an inner end portion in a radial direction of the half thrust bearing. The present invention also provides a bearing device including the above half thrust bearing, a crankshaft, a pair of half bearings supporting a journal portion of the crankshaft, and a bearing housing having a holding hole for holding the pair of half bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiho Tanaka, Yoshihiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9982710
    Abstract: A crankshaft of an in-line, four-cylinder internal combustion engine has five journal portions. The journal portions are each supported by a main bearing unit. Each of the main bearing units includes a cylinder block side bearing part and a bearing cap. The No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 main bearing units employ an iron-based bearing cap, and the No. 3 main bearing unit at the center employs a bearing cap made of an aluminum alloy having a relatively high thermal expansion coefficient. At high temperatures, the bearing clearance of the No. 3 main bearing unit is configured to expand so as to reduce bearing load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Shinya Oohira, Hiroaki Mochida, Kensuke Ikehara, Wataru Arai
  • Patent number: 9982711
    Abstract: An adjustable ball joint with a locking member and a retaining cap. The locking member is rotationally fixed relative to the housing, and the retaining cap and locking member and configured to be rotationally fixed relative to each other. The retaining cap may include a protrusion that engages a detent in the housing that prevents rotation of the locking member. The housing may include multiple detents to allow for the locking member to have multiple configurations. Threaded fasteners may secure the locking member to the retaining cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ECC & Associates, LTD.
    Inventor: Arne Jay Henriksen
  • Patent number: 9982712
    Abstract: A quick release pillow block bearing assembly has end pieces, a center bearing housing carrying a bearing, and quick release pins for retaining the bearing housing with the end pieces. The invention enables replacement and or repair of the bearing and its counterparts easily, efficiently, and less often. The user need only remove the quick release pins remove the bearing housing and thereby gain access to the housing, which also provides access to the bearing/shaft and counterparts. Upon removal of the quick release pins, the center housing may be removed from the structure, while the end pieces stay in place, allowing one to remove and install the bearing quickly. It also enables removal of the shaft in seconds, thus permitting easy and quick replacement of worn sections of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Terry Michael Brown, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9982713
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for wheels includes an outer ring, a hub shaft, rolling elements, a seal attached to a vehicle-outer-side part of the outer ring, a rotating slinger attached to the vehicle-outer-side part of the hub shaft and contacted by the seal, and a fixed slinger attached to a vehicle-outer-side outer periphery of the outer ring and contacted by the seal. An outer peripheral surface of the outer ring has a non-plated surface portion provided at a vehicle-outer-side end of the outer ring and a plated surface portion that is continuous with the non-plated surface portion. The fixed slinger has an inner cylindrical portion externally fitted over and attached to the non-plated surface portion. The seal has an inner lip that contacts the rotating slinger and an outer lip that contacts the inner cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Seo
  • Patent number: 9982714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bi-material sliding bearing (1) whereby a metal sliding layer (3) of at least two different particle types is deposited under reduced pressure from the gas phase on a flat, metal substrate (8), and a first particle type forms a matrix with first grains and the second particle type forms grains embedded in the matrix of the metal sliding layer (3), and the metal sliding layer (3) is produced with a thickness (4) of more than 250 ?m and with a Vickers hardness below 100 HV(0.025), and the metal sliding layer (3) is made of a single layer in only one pass and with a maximum grain size of at most 1 ?m for at least 90% of the first grains forming the matrix and with a maximum grain size for at least 90% of the embedded grains, and a maximum particle size of at most 1.5 ?m for the remaining grains making up 100% of all grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Miba Gleitlager Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Gaertner
  • Patent number: 9982715
    Abstract: A sliding engine component may include a sliding surface including a plastics polymer-based composite layer disposed on a substrate. The composite layer may include a matrix of plastics polymer-based material. The plastics polymer-based material may have 0.1 to 20 percent by volume of liquid-filled microcapsules distributed throughout the matrix, and incidental impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Mahle International GmbH, Mahle Engine Systems UK Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Gorges, John Carey, Anil Rathod
  • Patent number: 9982716
    Abstract: A synthetic resin retainer includes two annular members having opposed surfaces opposed to each other and each formed with a plurality of pockets which are circumferentially spaced apart from each other, and in which the balls are received. Each annular member includes axially concave, arc-shaped pocket wall portions defining the inner surfaces of the pockets, and flat plate-shaped coupling plate portions coupling together the adjacent pairs of the pocket wall portions. The coupling plate portions have axial thicknesses of 30% or less of the diameters of the balls, and the pocket wall portions have, at deepest points of the pockets, thicknesses of 10% or less of the diameters of the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoaki Tsuji, Hikaru Ishida
  • Patent number: 9982717
    Abstract: An outer-ring-equivalent component having an annular raceway surface on which rolling elements roll is disposed on an outer circumference of a bearing. The bearing is, for example, a retainer-equipped roller. Between the bearing and a fixed member located apart from the bearing in an axial direction, a thrust washer is interposed so as to be movable in the axial direction. A gap forming device is provided which constantly forms a gap between the thrust washer and the outer-ring-equivalent component. For example, as the gap forming device, an axial width of the bearing is made larger than an axial width of the outer-ring-equivalent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sadatsune Kazama
  • Patent number: 9982718
    Abstract: A tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, tapered rollers, a cage, and a lubricant holding member. The cage is formed of resin. Since the cage is formed of resin, the tapered roller bearing can be downsized with contact between the cage and the lubricant holding member avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9982719
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus includes a hub shaft having a flange to which a wheel is attached and which is located on a vehicular outer side, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, an annular seal member, and an annular slinger. The slinger has a circular ring portion that is in contact with the flange and a tube portion extending from the circular ring portion toward a vehicular inner side. The tube portion has pawl portions located on the vehicular inner side to engage with a recessed portion of an outer periphery of the hub shaft to inhibit the slinger from being displaced toward the vehicular inner side. The tube portion is further provided with a plurality of slits that is formed along a circumferential direction and that is open on the vehicular inner side. The slits include slits with different depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eishou Harada
  • Patent number: 9982720
    Abstract: A rotary shaft coupling (10) for the drive-line of a vehicle includes a female component (11) of a propeller shaft (41) and a male component (12) of a drive axial pinion (42). The components have mutually engageable splines (14, 15) and circular regions (23, 25, 24, 26) drawn into engagement by a clamp nut (16) of the male component; the circular regions are a sliding or an interference fit. The clamp nut (16) may also be used to draw the components (11, 12) apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Stuart Tavener
  • Patent number: 9982721
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Patrick Marion, Lucas Wilson, Justin Boudreau, Gary J. Spicer
  • Patent number: 9982722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel I. Fukuba, Benjamin D. Sumers, Jeremy P. Dittmer, Merritt J. Jenkins, Kevin C. Chu, Vayardo L. Ruiz
  • Patent number: 9982723
    Abstract: A transmission having a rotating clutch pack assembly is provided, The rotating clutch pack having an interconnecting member, a plurality of friction discs, a rotating member, a first and a second axial bearing, and a biasing member. The interconnecting member is connected for common rotation with a member of the planetary gear set. The rotating member is connected to the second set of friction discs for common rotation. The first axial bearing is disposed between the clutch piston and the plurality of friction discs and the second axial bearing is disposed between the plurality of friction discs and the transmission housing. The biasing member is disposed between the interconnecting member and the rotating member. A clutch piston selectively applies an axial force through the first axial bearing, the plurality of friction discs, and the second axial bearing to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Boris Burgman, John A. Diemer
  • Patent number: 9982724
    Abstract: A friction plate for wet-running applications includes an annular main body having a first and a second surface. A friction lining having first oil grooves and second oil grooves is disposed on at least one of the first and the second surfaces. The first oil grooves extend from a radially inner end face of the friction lining in the direction towards a radially outer end face of the friction lining and terminate at a distance short of the radially outer end face, and the second oil grooves are disposed directly adjoining the first oil grooves in the radial direction and have a smaller maximum width in the circumferential direction than the first oil grooves. The first oil grooves are provided with a cross-sectional widening in the region of a radially outer end. The cross-sectional widenings of the first oil grooves are disposed at different radial heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Hartner, Florian Markowsky, Thomas Sturm
  • Patent number: 9982725
    Abstract: An inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a rotor are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner cylindrical tubular portion at a counter-armature side location is larger than that of an armature side location in the rotor. An outer peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a stator are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical tubular portion at the counter-armature side location is larger than that of the armature side location in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fukumura
  • Patent number: 9982726
    Abstract: Means for restricting the axial displacement of a clutch retainer (11a) with respect to a metal inner ring (3a) is configured so that the amount of processing of the inner ring (3a) is reduced. Semispherical concave engaging sections (22) are formed in the cam surface (6) of the inner ring (3a), and semispherical convex engaging sections (23) are formed on the inner-circumferential surface of a rim section (12b) of the clutch retainer (11a). The means for restricting the axial displacement of a clutch retainer (11a) with respect to a metal inner ring (3a) is achieved by engagement between the concave engaging sections (22) and the convex engaging sections (23) when the clutch retainer (11a) is assembled on the outer-diameter side of the cam surface (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD
    Inventor: Hirofumi Mori
  • Patent number: 9982727
    Abstract: A selectable one way clutch includes a reverse strut pocket plate having a first plurality of struts or pawls, a reverse notch and forward strut pocket plate having a second plurality of struts or pawls, a selector plate disposed between the plates controlled by a selector plate actuator and a forward notch plate. The reverse notch and forward strut pocket plate includes a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed about its periphery which cooperate with a pin or pushrod of a linear actuator. When the reverse notch plate and forward strut pocket plate is stationary but the one way clutch is still carrying torque, the linear actuator may be actuated to rotate the reverse notch plate and forward strut pocket plate to unlock or release the torque carrying struts which would otherwise remain in their locked torque transmitting positions until all or substantially all torque across the clutch was removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott William Heitzenrater
  • Patent number: 9982728
    Abstract: A system and method for auxiliary clutch failure detection determines a difference between a first output power of a powered system when a clutch system is controlled to engage and drive a load at a first output of the load and a second output power of the powered system when the clutch system is controlled to drive the load at a larger, second output. A control signal indicative of clutch failure is generated responsive to the difference being less than a designated threshold. The control signal may be used to implement one or more remedial actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Todd Young, Jason Daniel Kuttenkuler, Jeffrey John Wolff, Aaron Craig Mellinger
  • Patent number: 9982729
    Abstract: A brake pad includes a backing plate that defines a first plane. A brake lining is attached to the backing plate, and has a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer includes a first material, a first side fixed to the brake lining attachment surface and a second side opposite the first side. The second side defines a second plane non-parallel to the first plane. The second layer includes a second material, a first side and a second side. The first side of the second layer extends along the second side of the first layer and along the second plane. The second material is different from the first material. The third layer includes the first material, overlays and attaches to the second side of the second layer, and has a friction surface that is parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robson, Scott Warnecke
  • Patent number: 9982730
    Abstract: A brake pad has a brake lining with a first section and a second section. The first section includes a plurality of first layers having a first material and a plurality of second layers having a second material. The first material is different from the second material. The plurality of first layers and the plurality of second layers are alternatingly arranged between one another. The second section includes a plurality of third layers having the second material and a plurality of fourth layers having the first material. The plurality of third layers and the plurality of fourth layers are alternatingly arranged between one another. The plurality of first layers are adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality of third layers are co-planar with one another. Further, the plurality of second layers are adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality of fourth layers are co-planar with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robson, Scott Warnecke
  • Patent number: 9982731
    Abstract: A disc brake apparatus that holds brake pads (46) and is capable of holding a caliper body (30) in a part of the support is provided with a support in which pairs of torque receiving parts (16, 18) provided in both sides in a braking force tangential direction and connecting parts (20) respectively connecting together the torque receiving parts (16, 18) are provided in both sides in an axial-direction of a rotor. In the support, at least one of the torque receiving parts (16, 18) is capable of being divided. The support (12) includes an open part capable of inserting and removing the brake pads (46) in the braking force tangential direction by dividing the torque receiving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Maehara, Kazuhiro Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9982732
    Abstract: A method of making a vehicle brake rotor is provided, including manufacturing a friction ring with an opening, an annular flange projecting axially relative to a face of the friction ring, and a plurality of spaced lugs projecting radially from the flange. A hub is manufactured with a plurality of recesses integrally upon the friction ring. Next, the hub is manufactured or machined so that outermost ends of the lugs are visible from an exterior of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GRI ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Mingxu Zhou, Edgar Calago
  • Patent number: 9982733
    Abstract: A force-limiting and damping device has a body, a tapping element, and an elastic element. The body has a connecting segment and a holding segment. The connecting segment is formed on an end of the body and has a mounting hole. The holding segment is formed on the body opposite the connecting segment. The tapping element is connected to the body to move relative to the connecting segment. The elastic element is mounted between the tapping element and the connecting segment to abut against the tapping element and to enable the tapping element to move relative to the connecting segment. The structural relationship between the connecting segment, the tapping element, and the elastic element may provide a delayed rebound and damping effect to the reaction force, and the applied force is continuously transferred to a tapping object. This may reduce noise and the loss of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jui-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 9982734
    Abstract: A composite coil spring includes a coil body that has a core and fiber layers impregnated with a polymer material. The fiber layers are wound around the core. The fiber layers extend around the coiled axis at oblique fiber angles. Each of the fiber layers includes a number of fibers that is a product of a common base number of fibers multiplied by a positive non-zero integer from a set of positive non-zero integers from 1 to 20. The positive non-zero integer of at least one of the fiber layers is different from the positive non-zero integer of at least one other of the fiber layers. At least one of the fibers layers is glass fibers and another of the fiber layers is carbon fibers, and each of an innermost fiber layer and an outmost fiber layer of the fiber layers is independently selected from glass fibers and carbon fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI STEEL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9982735
    Abstract: A spring element with a basic geometry which is concentric along the spring axis, including at least one elastomer, the basic geometry of which is concentric about the spring axis and including constrictions and/or widenings that are axially symmetrical along the spring axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Frank Thye-Moormann
  • Patent number: 9982736
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protective devices. A protective equipment device may include a high mass member; and a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member. The nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer may include a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Greenhill AntiBallistics Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary R. Greenhill, Joseph J. Belbruno
  • Patent number: 9982737
    Abstract: A device configured for insertion between two parts of a rotary wing aircraft that are likely to undergo a repeated relative movement. The device includes at least two frame elements intended to be mounted on at least one of the two parts of the aircraft, and at least one layer of elastomer positioned between the two frame elements, the at least one layer defined by a first surface belonging to the inner volume of the device, a second surface also belonging to the inner volume of the device, and an outer surface not belonging to the inner volume of the device. The inner volume of the device includes at least two independent pouches each positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface, each pouch being filled with a product capable of flowing outside its pouch when a crack has spread from said outer surface toward the pouch in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Eduardo Beltran, Florian Briche
  • Patent number: 9982738
    Abstract: A hydraulic device includes a tubular housing, inside of which a rod is jointly attached to a piston separating upper and lower areas which hold hydraulic fluid so that, as the piston and rod move, the piston and the rod move together relatively and axially inside the tubular housing, displacing the hydraulic fluid inside the tubular housing, flowing from one of the upper and lower areas to the other of the upper and lower areas, and thus changing the respective volumes inside the upper and lower areas. The hydraulic device further includes a modular mechanism located inside the lower area that regulates shock absorption at a maximum level of compression of the hydraulic device, as well as in other relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KYB EUROPE HEADQUARTERS, GMBH
    Inventor: Javier Lizarraga Senar
  • Patent number: 9982739
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder; a piston movable therein and dividing the cylinder in first and second cylinder chambers; a cylinder attachment for attachment to a first part of a vehicle and connected to the cylinder; and a piston attachment for attachment to a second part of a vehicle and connected to the piston. The piston attachment and cylinder attachment move towards one another on an inward movement and away from one another on an outward movement. The piston includes a first inward channel; a first inward valve to open the first inward channel on inward movement; a first outward channel; a first outward valve to open the first outward channel on outward movement; a second inward channel; a second inward valve to open the second inward channel on inward movement; a second outward channel; and a second outward valve to open the second outward channel on outward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KONI B.V.
    Inventor: Paul De Kock
  • Patent number: 9982740
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder along a cylinder wall, the piston dividing the cylinder in a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber, which are filled with fluid. The shock absorber also includes cylinder and piston attachments for attachment to parts of a vehicle, the piston attachment and cylinder attachment moving towards one another in an inward movement and away from one another in an outward movement. Primary and auxiliary flow and valve arrangements allow fluid flow in between the first and second cylinder chambers to provide primary and auxiliary damping behavior of the shock absorber, respectively. The auxiliary flow and valve arrangement includes a first auxiliary flow and valve arrangement providing on outward movement a damping behavior showing a frequency dependency, and a second auxiliary flow and valve arrangement providing on inward movement a damping behavior showing a linear dependency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KONI B.V.
    Inventor: Paul de Kock
  • Patent number: 9982741
    Abstract: A damping valve device (27), includes a damping valve housing (31) with a tube part (33) and an outer top housing part (35), wherein an intermediate housing wall (39) which is fixed with respect to the tube part (33) spatially separates a coil assembly (37) from a valve region (73), and the outer top housing part (35) forms a back iron body for the coil assembly (37), wherein an inner sleeve (69) together with a base (71) closes the valve region (73), wherein the outer top housing part (35) is a component part which is separate from the intermediate housing wall (39), and the inner sleeve (69) is connected to the intermediate housing wall (39) in a pressure-tight manner independent from the outer housing part (35), and wherein a protective cap (93) which is separate from the outer top housing part (35) covers the outer top housing part (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Manger, Stefan Schmitt, Lukas Ruhmann
  • Patent number: 9982742
    Abstract: In a vibration damper (10) for at least one conduit (12, 12a, 12b), in particular in a vehicle, with at least one receptacle (14, 14a, 14b) in which a conduit (12, 12a, 12b) can be held, and a frame (16) in which the receptacle (14, 14a, 14b) is held and which encloses the receptacle (14, 14a, 14b) in circumferential direction (U), it is provided that the frame (16) is flexible and/or that flexible webs (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) are provided, which keep the receptacle (14, 14a, 14b) spaced from the frame (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Loewe, Juergen Hofmann, Markus Elsner
  • Patent number: 9982743
    Abstract: A vibration-damping electromagnetic actuator including: a tubular stator; a movable member displaceable relative to the stator in an axial direction, and being inserted in the stator; a housing including a tubular peripheral wall and being attached to the stator; a support rubber elastic body elastically connecting the movable member to the housing; and a coil member and an armature displaceable relative to the coil member disposed at one and the other of the stator and the movable member respectively. The stator is arranged in an inner periphery of the peripheral wall, and a gap is provided between the peripheral wall and the stator in an axis-perpendicular direction. The stator is attached to the housing in a state aligned with the movable member by means of displacement of the stator relative to the housing in the axis-perpendicular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hironori Koyama, Yushi Hashimoto, Masahiko Nagasawa, Takayoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9982744
    Abstract: A liquid-sealed vibration damping device is provided that allows an outer cylindrical member to have a substantially uniform interference margin in the circumferential direction, while improving an assembling property. A second mounting member mounted on a non-vibration source includes: a first frame in a cylindrical shape that is connected to a lower portion of an insulator; a second frame in a cylindrical shape that holds a partition member arranged below the insulator; and a connector that connects the first frame with the second frame. The connector includes: engaging parts that are arranged on the first frame; and elastic hook parts that are arranged on the second frame. The elastic hook parts are arranged at intervals on each of main frame parts in the circumferential direction thereof, and the elastic hook parts arranged on corners have lower rigidity than those arranged on the main frame parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 9982745
    Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration-damping device including: a first mounting member; a second mounting member; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two mounting members; a fluid chamber whose wall is constituted by the main rubber elastic body at a portion and by a flexible film at another portion, the fluid chamber being filled with a non-compressible fluid; a fixation member being attached to an outer peripheral rim of the flexible film and being disposed inside or outside the tubular second mounting member such that the fixation member is superposed to the second mounting member in an axis-perpendicular direction; an insertion hole formed in the second mounting member and the fixation member; and a positioning member inserted through the insertion hole so as to relatively position the second mounting member and the fixation member at a scaling position by axial locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanaya, Kenji Oki
  • Patent number: 9982746
    Abstract: Two-part hubs for torsional vibration dampers are disclosed that have a main body made of a softer material than a seal nose and do not require a welded joint to join them together. The main body has a plate defining a front face and a back face, an annular core extending axially outward from the back face of the plate and defining an innermost, outer radial surface and a first bore through the main body, and an outermost, radial, elastomer-receiving surface spaced apart from the innermost outer radial surface by the plate. The seal nose is mated to the innermost, outer radial surface of the annular core and mechanically engaged with the main body for rotation together. Torsional vibration dampers that include the two-part hubs are also disclosed, as well as a front end accessory drive including the same, and methods of manufacturing the two-part hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 9982747
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a damper hub assembly includes a hub with a through-aperture defined by an aperture wall and to receive therein a portion of a crankshaft, the aperture wall including face and back surfaces and a wall surface positioned there-between, and an insert contacting the face and back surfaces and the wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rick L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9982748
    Abstract: A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Guobin Yin, Markus Schuiki, Markus Reiterer, Alexander Dietrich
  • Patent number: 9982749
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an endless metal belt used in a belt-type continuously variable transmission, wherein a stress-relief heat treatment is performed after the circumference of a ring body has been adjusted, and aging/nitridation is performed after the stress-relief heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Nishida
  • Patent number: 9982750
    Abstract: An object is to provide a silent chain that enhances the degree of design freedom for component dimensions to improve a chain strength with respect to a chain tensile force and that suppresses chain wear elongation. A silent chain includes a plurality of link plates arranged in a chain longitudinal direction and a chain width direction and coupled together by coupling pins so as to be bendable. The silent chain includes a plurality of plate longitudinal-direction trains each having the link plates arranged in the chain longitudinal direction. At least one of the plate longitudinal-direction trains includes a plurality of protruding-portion-installed plates having protruding portions protruding in the chain width direction from one side surface of a plate portion. The protruding-portion-installed plates 20 are arranged adjacently to one another in the chain longitudinal direction, with the protruding portions being different from one another in orientation in the chain width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Motonobu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9982751
    Abstract: A silent chain includes a first link, a second link, and coupling pins. The first link is configured from one or more first link plates that include a pair of first pin holes. The second link is configured from one or more second link plates that include a pair of second pin holes. The coupling pins are inserted through the respective first pin holes of the first link plate and the respective second pin holes of the second link plate. The coupling pins alternately couple the first link and the second link together along a chain drive direction so as to enable the first link and the second link to flex. Abrasive particles are embedded in inner peripheral faces at the pin holes of the first link plate and the second link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Fujiwara, Takeo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9982752
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain has a plurality of articulately interconnected chain links comprising two outermost links and a plurality of inner links, and a bendable cover strip covering at least one of two sides of the articulately interconnected chain links, wherein the cover strip is held by at least some of the inner chain links, and guided displaceably with respect to at least the inner chain links in a chain longitudinal direction, and wherein the cover strip projects in a chain transverse direction at least on one side over the chain links. A processing machine for the machining of workpieces and a method of using an energy guiding chain are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TRUMPF Laser—und Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Blaser, Gunter Fischer, Joerg Mueller
  • Patent number: 9982753
    Abstract: A housing-rotatable planetary gear reducer for stand mixer includes an immovable second planetary carrier and a rotatable second ring gear fixedly locked to a housing of the planetary gear reducer. Power from a motor is transmitted to the rotatable second ring gear and output via the housing, to which a mixer shaft is connected. The housing of the housing-rotatable planetary gear reducer is fully sealed and oil-leakproof, provided a lubricant oil level inside the planetary gear reducer is not higher than a normal oil level. Further, the housing-rotatable planetary gear reducer includes two tapered roller bearings arranged at a highest and a lowest position on the housing to provide two sufficiently spaced and stable support points capable of bearing axial and radial forces from the rotating mixer shaft. Therefore, lengthened support base and coupling can be omitted to enable reduced manufacturing cost, weight and volume of the planetary gear reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ANJET MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Hsu