Patents Issued in January 14, 2020
  • Patent number: 10533583
    Abstract: A system for determining the operability of a valve in active service which provides a user with real time information pertaining to the Safety Margin, the valve torque or thrust, and the percentage of valve MAST that is required for operation. The system employs a combination of an actuator package comprised of a primary actuator, a tandem force module, and a controller operatively connected to the output shaft of the primary actuator, the controller including a processor for calculating the above-described values and providing an output which can be visually, audibly, or electronically observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: QTRCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Holtgraver, James R. Howard
  • Patent number: 10533584
    Abstract: An example valve includes: (i) a pilot seat member comprising: (a) one or more channels fluidly coupled to a first port of the valve, (b) a pilot seat, and (c) a pilot sleeve portion comprising a pilot chamber and a cross-hole disposed in an exterior peripheral surface of the pilot sleeve portion; (ii) a pilot check member disposed in the pilot chamber and subjected to a biasing force of a setting spring disposed in the pilot chamber to seat the pilot check member at the pilot seat; and (iii) a solenoid actuator sleeve slidably accommodated about the exterior peripheral surface of the pilot sleeve portion of the pilot seat member, wherein the solenoid actuator sleeve includes a cross-hole disposed in an exterior peripheral surface of the solenoid actuator sleeve, wherein the cross-hole of the solenoid actuator sleeve is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Zähe
  • Patent number: 10533585
    Abstract: A method for operating a telescopic device and the elongated telescopic device per se comprises a support element formed to encompass first and second telescopic element mounted so as to be telescopically slidable relative each other in a longitudinal direction; the support element comprises a support element fluid actuator assembly; the first telescopic element is arranged to encompass the second telescopic element and comprises a first fluid actuator assembly. The support element fluid actuator assembly is fixed to an interior portion of the support element and is arranged for engagement or disengagement to a first envelope surface of the first telescopic element and wherein the first fluid actuator assembly is fixed to a first interior portion of the first telescopic element and is arranged for engagement or disengagement to a second envelope surface of the second telescopic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Magnus Landberg
  • Patent number: 10533586
    Abstract: A monitoring device including a microcomputer of a detector that calculates a first time derivative value by differentiating a first pressure value with respect to time, and/or calculates a second time derivative value by differentiating a second pressure value with respect to time. In addition, based on at least one from among the first time derivative value and the second time derivative value, the microcomputer determines whether or not the piston has arrived at one end or another end inside the cylinder main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10533587
    Abstract: A valve system including a shuttle valve having first and second inlet channels connected respectively to first and second channels, a cavity, an outlet channel and a moveable element, the first and second inlet channels being in fluid communication with outlet channel via the cavity; wherein a moveable element is moveable within the cavity such that the position of the moveable element is determined by relative pressure levels in the first and second inlet channels, in a first position the movable element forming a seal between the moveable element and the first inlet channel, in a second position the moveable element forming a seal between the moveable element and the second inlet channel, and in a third position the moveable element being located between the first and second positions and allowing the passage of fluid from both the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bifold Fluidpower Limited
    Inventor: Adam Bargh
  • Patent number: 10533588
    Abstract: The fastener includes: a first facing portion and a second facing portion disposed so as to face each other, ends of the first and second facing portions being connected through a curved portion; a screw-fixing portion provided in at least one of the first and second facing portions and allowing a screw to be fixed thereto; and a rotation-preventing protrusion provided in one of the first and second facing portions and protruding therefrom in a direction from the one toward the other of the first and second facing portions, the rotation-preventing protrusion being disposed in an area next to the screw-fixing portion opposite to the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FALTEC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masae Yoyasu, Yusuke Kozuki
  • Patent number: 10533589
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tolerance-compensating element for compensating for a distance between a dashboard support and a body component of a vehicle, such as an A pillar or an end wall, wherein the dashboard support is connectable to the body component by means of a fastening screw, comprising: a frame structure with a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, wherein the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are arranged opposite each other and are connected by lateral webs, wherein the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are spaced apart from each other, wherein a first aperture is formed in the first fastening portion, wherein the second fastening portion is configured for fastening the tolerance-compensating element to the dashboard support; and a threaded nut that is assigned to the first fastening portion and is provided for receiving the fastening screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Konstantin Tatarinov
  • Patent number: 10533590
    Abstract: Provided are a connector and a connection system for concrete barriers. The connector is configured to slip-fit into a cross-shaped gap formed between the concrete barriers. The connector includes a saddle member and a fork member. The saddle member includes a base plate and peripheral plates. The peripheral plates extend at angles from the base plate to define a channel extending along the length of the base plate. The fork member extends from the base plate of the saddle member. The fork member includes an elongated base, flanges, and legs. The elongated base extends in the channel between the peripheral plates at least along the width of the base plate. The flanges are transverse to the elongated base forming a cross-shaped structure disposed in the channel with the flanges that extend toward the open ends of the channel. The legs extend separately from the elongated base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: JCNY Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Esposito, Carlos A. Casal
  • Patent number: 10533591
    Abstract: Described herein are securing devices configured to hold one object to another. In some embodiments the securing devices are specifically configured to connect an umbrella to a table. The securing devices can comprise a base component configured to receive a first object and one or more support components configured to connect the base component, and thus the first object, to a second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Rene Machado Guerra, Gisele Borne Garbin Guerra
  • Patent number: 10533592
    Abstract: A clinching or swaging fastener for securely mounting a secondary article, such as a magnet, flush to a surrounding surface. An interference fit fastening feature holds the secondary article flush by using a deformable center knob on the end wall at the bottom of the retainer. Alignment features on the outer portion of the retainer body can fixture the magnet in a desired orientation. A radial flange surrounds the mouth of the bore which has a peripheral lip that extends upwardly. Clinch attachment means comprising a circular peripheral undercut is located on the outside of the body just below the flange for attaching the body to a host object. The article may have a peripheral chamfer at the top which receives the lip as it is deformed against the article to provide a flush alignment to the host object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: James R Sutcliffe, Jennifer Lake, Brian Bentrim
  • Patent number: 10533593
    Abstract: A fastener includes a head portion, a leg portion, and an easily deformable portion. The head portion is formed in a cylindrical shape with an oval shape in an axial view. The leg portion has one end portion in an axial direction that is connected to a back surface of the head portion. The leg portion is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with an oval shape in the axial view whose minor axis direction is the same as a minor axis direction of the oval shape of the head portion. The easily deformable portion is provided to a pair of major-axis leg portions which are portions crossing a major axis in the leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoyuki Eda
  • Patent number: 10533594
    Abstract: A temporary fastening device comprises a collet and mandrel connected to a temporary fastener body. The device comprises a first float cap, a second float cap, a third float cap, and a temporary fastener body which may be axially connected. The lateral clearance between the collet and a first aperture defines a first radially extending float region. The lateral clearance between the second float cap and the first float cap define a second radially extending float region. The collet and temporary fastener body may radially translate within the first and second radially extending float regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Zephyr Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Paulo Cesar Pajuelo Lopez
  • Patent number: 10533595
    Abstract: Disclosed is a manual adjustable tensioning device. Slope guide slots are formed in the periphery of a lead screw nut, and contacts are provided with slopes having the same angles and placed in the guide slots of the lead screw nut; two ends of a lead screw are respectively supported in threaded holes of a shell and an end cover; screws are connected to the lead screw nut via threaded holes, the tail end of each screw is in contact with one end of a lever, the other end of the lever is in contact with the slope of the lead screw nut, a roller is mounted at the tail end of the lever, and an extension spring is mounted at the end of the slope of the lead screw nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruixiao Zhou, Fengbao Luo, Xiao Liu, Dengyao Li, Weidong Liu, Minghua Liu
  • Patent number: 10533596
    Abstract: The present invention is relates to a fiber reinforced resin screw 10, 20 shaped using a resin composition containing reinforcing fiber in a resin. A pitch of threads has a length of 1.5 to 2 times of a standard pitch corresponding to an outer diameter of the threads prescribed in standards of a metric coarse screw, a unified coarse screw and a unified fine screw. An average fiber length of the reinforcing fiber is 1 to 1/3 times of the pitch of the threads in the fiber reinforced resin screw. A content rate of the reinforcing fiber is in a range of 20 to 80%. In this way, the fiber reinforced resin screw to have improved is provided in the strength of the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Ikada, Naohiro Horie
  • Patent number: 10533597
    Abstract: A fixation assembly for affixing a first object to and variably spaced from a second object. The assembly comprises a male fastener and a female fastener. The male fastener comprises a bolt-shaped part having a circumferential outer surface. The surface includes alternately on a circumferential path, in a cross-sectional plane of the part, at least one ridged section and at least one plain section. The female fastener comprises a tubular part having a circumferential inner surface. The inner surface includes alternately on a circumferential path, in a cross-sectional plane of the part, at least one ridged section and at least one plain section. The male fastener can be inserted into the female fastener such that its ridged section coincides with the female fastener plain section. Either the male or female fastener is configured to be rotated relative to the other, thereby engaging respective ridges of the two fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Michael Telkamp
  • Patent number: 10533598
    Abstract: A segmented nut is formed by three segments held together with a surmounting sleeve. Rotation of the sleeve in the order of 60° frees the segments, allowing for quick release of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Segnut Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Brian Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 10533599
    Abstract: An non-loosening and vibration-proof expanding screw includes a screw cap defining a receiving cavity, and a rod body connected to the screw cap. The rod body defines a hollow cavity, a sealing ring, and an air inlet pipe. The sealing ring includes a main body with a receiving hole and an internal ventilation pipe. The internal ventilation pipe includes interconnected first and second holes. The air inlet pipe is received in the first hole and gas under pressure can be introduced into the hollow cavity through the second hole. Thus the expanding screw can be inflated to expand and thereby lock the expanding screw and a securable object together, or be deflated to allow its release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ting-Jian Zou
  • Patent number: 10533600
    Abstract: Fasteners such as bolts or nuts are locked by a ring and associated keys. The ring typically has a series of holes with the fasteners passing through these holes in the ring. The ring has an outer surface with studs extending upward therefrom. Typically one key for each fastener is placed adjacent to the ring after the fasteners are tightened against the ring in each hole of the ring. The key has a head opening which fits over a head of the fastener and keeps the fastener from rotating. The key also has a bore which fits upon the stud, with the stud preventing key rotation, and the key in turn preventing fastener rotation. A retainer such as a lock nut on a threaded stud or a snap ring in a grooved stud hold the key to the ring and keep the ring in position locking the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hard Case Performance
    Inventors: Ian Jackson, Daniel Martell, Justin Church
  • Patent number: 10533601
    Abstract: A flexible shaft assembly of a vehicle power seat adjuster includes a casing having a bracket, and an elongated channel mounted to the bracket, a flexible shaft of a vehicle power seat adjuster received in the elongated channel, and a motor for driving the flexible shaft. The elongated channel includes side walls, a bottom wall and an open top defining an inner cavity for receiving the flexible shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: S.S. White Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tat M. Yuen, Subramanya Naglapura
  • Patent number: 10533602
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic plain bearing includes a bearing shell having an inner surface which forms a bearing surface for a rotating shaft or the like. The bearing surface has a plurality of surface segments separated from each other and disposed successively in the circumferential direction of the bearing shell. At least the bearing surface or the entire bearing shell is made from CuCr1Zr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fuchs
  • Patent number: 10533603
    Abstract: A door track assembly for cooperation with a door roller mechanism, including a housing having a longitudinal channel along a length of the housing, wherein the channel descends at an end of the housing to form a stowage recess for the door roller mechanism, and a first track and a second track that are disposed on the housing along a length of the channel and that descend into the stowage recess and along which the door roller mechanism traverses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Pravanh, Michael E. Rinehart, Bart Shafer, Clegg Smith, Bruce B. Bacon
  • Patent number: 10533604
    Abstract: A linear module includes: a base, a slide stage, two support frames, two retaining units and a steel belt. With the pivoting freedom given by the guide portions of the retaining units, when the slide stage moves, the rolling elements can be abutted more closely against the contact surface of the steel belt via the pivoting of the guide portions, so as to reduce the occurrence of deformation and clearance produced by the steel belt, which not only improves the sealing performance of the steel belt and operation smoothness of the linear module, but also produces a dust proof effect, thus achieving the purposes of automatically adjusting contact angle, preventing deformation while extending the life of the steel belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Yan Jun Wang, Ciao Cun Hong
  • Patent number: 10533605
    Abstract: A method for producing an internally structured slide bearing bushing involves the following steps: a) providing a slide bearing bushing with at least one bearing region which is formed as a hollow cylinder with an internal surface and which has an external diameter and an internal diameter, b) providing an external tool with a through-opening, c) providing an internal tool which has an integral cylindrical operating region with an external surface with a structure, d) inserting the internal tool into the bearing region of the slide bearing bushing, e) introducing the slide bearing bushing and the internal tool into the conical widened portion of the through-opening of the external tool, f) pressing the slide bearing bushing into the through-opening of the external tool, g) removing the slide bearing bushing from the through-opening of the external tool, and h) radially widening the slide bearing bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WIELAND-WERKE AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Thumm, Volker Voggeser
  • Patent number: 10533606
    Abstract: An example embodiment of an air bearing assembly includes a first member and a shaft with a flange configured to rotate with respect to the first member. The first member has a first coating on at least one first surface facing at least one second surface on the flange or the shaft. The first coating includes tungsten carbide, a nonpolymeric self-lubricating coating, or a combination thereof. At least one of the second surfaces has a second coating on a surface facing the first coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Poteet, Blair A. Smith, Kevin M. Rankin, William R. Fiske
  • Patent number: 10533607
    Abstract: One end side projecting portion (30a) of a first cage element (9a) fits in the other end side recess portion (41b) of a second cage element (9b), and one end side projecting portion (30b) of the second cage element (9b) fits in the other end side recess portion (41a) of the first cage element (9a), whereby the first cage element (9a) and the second cage element (9b) are restrained from being displaced relatively in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyotami Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 10533608
    Abstract: A ring seal is engaged with a liquid metal bearing assembly and operates to contain metal fluid lubricant leaking through the primary compression seals of a liquid metal bearing to prevent the fluid from entering the high voltage space within the x-ray tube and causing high voltage instability. The ring seal engages the existing configuration for the bearing assembly without deforming the bearing, including effects of thermal expansion and inertial body forces, thus maintaining the tight tolerances for the proper operation of the component parts of the bearing structure. The ring seal retains the leaking liquid metal within the ring seal regardless of the operating state and/or condition of the bearing assembly, such as during operating conditions. i.e., rotation of the bearing assembly or gantry, and non-operating conditions, e.g., shipping and stand-by, and regardless of the corresponding pressures and their locations exerted on the ring seal by the liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Triscari, Donald Allen, Gregory Steinlage, Michael Scott Hebert
  • Patent number: 10533609
    Abstract: A bearing comprises an outer casing and an inner casing, wherein each of the outer casing and the inner casing are shaped to hold a plurality of ball bearings to facilitate rotational movement of the outer casing with respect to the inner casing, and wherein the inner casing is shaped to define a circular void that is substantially empty except for structure as needed to hold the plurality of ball bearings against the outer casing, and wherein the outer casing is shaped to form a groove within which to receive a rail. A mounting system is included on the inner casing capable of receiving a mounting bracket to be slid longitudinally with respect to the rail upon the rotational movement of the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: RGE MOTOR DIRECT INC.
    Inventor: Jiaqi Pu
  • Patent number: 10533610
    Abstract: An aero gas turbine engine with a fan stage and a bearing rotatably supporting the fan stage, where the bearing is cooled by passing cooling air through the bearing, and the spent bearing cooling air is re-injected into the air flow path at a location where the effect is minimalized. The location is just downstream from a leading edge of a stator vane and along a pressure side surface of the vane. A fine mist of oil can be discharged into the bearing cooling air to also lubricate the bearing, where both the oil and the spent cooling air is reintroduced into the air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross H Peterson, John A Orosa, Robert A Ress, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10533611
    Abstract: In order to attach cup bearings 18 with good precision in portions between circular holes 15 that are formed in joining-arm sections 10 of yokes 7a, 7b of a cross shaft universal joint 6 and the tip-end sections of a shaft section 17a of a cross shaft 8 regardless of variation in the dimensions of the joining-arm sections 10, the circular holes 15 in the tip-end sections thereof, and the cup bearings 18, and elastic deformation of the joining-arm sections 10 of the yoke 7a during press-fitting work, press-fitting punches 33 are used to pressure fit the cup bearings 18 to a preset reference position inside the circular holes 15, and the value of the pressure that is applied to the press-fitting punches at that instant is set as a reference pressure, and at the instant when the pressure applied to the press-fitting punches becomes larger than the reference pressure by a preset specified value, the cup bearings 18 are determined to have reached positions where press-fitting is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Murata, Yasutomo Shikanai
  • Patent number: 10533612
    Abstract: A power transmission shaft comprises a shaft unit interposed between first and second shafts; an engaged portion provided on one end of the second shaft and having an annular stepped part provided between a smaller diameter portion and a larger diameter portion; and an engaging portion provided on one end of the shaft unit and joinable with the engaged portion to rotate together about a common rotation axis, wherein the engaging portion comprises a cylindrical base portion that rotates together with the shaft unit, an elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion that is provided on one axial end of the cylindrical base portion to project toward the engaged portion and catching pawls that are provided by the elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion and latchingly engageable with the annular stepped part when the engaged portion and the engaging portion are coaxially arranged and joined with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sugiyama, Yasutomo Mabe
  • Patent number: 10533613
    Abstract: A joint includes an outer race, a first inner race installed in the outer race and a second inner race installed in the first inner race. The outer race includes an inner surface and first grooves formed on the inner surface. The first inner race includes an outer surface, an inner surface and second grooves formed on the outer surface, and a plurality of third grooves formed on the inner surface. First balls are disposed between the first grooves and the second grooves for transmitting rotation of the first inner race to the outer race. The second inner race includes an outer surface and fourth grooves formed on the outer surface. Second balls disposed between the third grooves and the fourth grooves for transmitting rotation of the second inner race to the first inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI WIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Soo Young Moon
  • Patent number: 10533614
    Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first end and a second end. A member is fixed to the first end of the flexible diaphragm body. A splined member is fixed to the second end of the flexible diaphragm body. The splined member is configured to shift relative to a rotatable member rotatably fixed thereto in response to axial displacement of rotatable members interconnected by the flexible coupling. The ratio of inner diameter to the outer diameter is selected to allow for packaging the flexible coupling in a confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mathis, Raghu Iyer
  • Patent number: 10533615
    Abstract: A progressive shear assembly includes a hub configured for coupling to the output, the hub including a hub drive sleeve and at least one torque transfer lug on the hub drive sleeve. A drive adaptor may be configured for coupling to the drive. The drive adaptor may include an adaptor shaft disposed in the hub drive sleeve of the hub. The adaptor shaft may have an aft shaft end and a fore shaft end and tapering from the aft shaft end to the fore shaft end. At least one adaptor lug may be provided on the adaptor shaft. The at least one adaptor lug may have a substantially non-uniform width from the aft shaft end to the fore shaft end of the adaptor shaft. A tensile spring may be formed by selected ones of a plurality of substantially incompressible shear members and a plurality of substantially compressible compression members disposed adjacent to the adaptor shaft between the at least one adaptor lug and the at least one torque transfer lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Charles S. Powers
  • Patent number: 10533616
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ronald Heuver, Marv Young, Carl Garbacik
  • Patent number: 10533617
    Abstract: A one-way clutch having an anti-deployment feature operable to counteract hydraulic forces acting on the strut so as to assist in maintaining the strut in a non-deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Ranjit Uppal, Sean Steele, Alberto Passos, Dusan Milacic
  • Patent number: 10533618
    Abstract: An overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly, an engageable coupling assembly and locking members for use in the assemblies are provided. A centroid or center of mass of at least one of the locking members is substantially centered on a pivot axis of the locking member so that the locking member is substantially centrifugally neutral or balanced thereby making the locking member easier to pivot between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the coupling members of its corresponding assembly at high rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 10533619
    Abstract: A brake disk includes a friction ring, a brake disk hat and a securing ring. The friction ring has an inner side, on which a plurality of projections and intermediate spaces for connecting the friction ring to the brake disk hat are disposed. The brake disk hat has, on its outer side, intermediate spaces and projections which correspond with the projections and intermediate spaces of the friction ring and are shaped to engage in a positively locking manner into the projections and intermediate spaces of the friction ring, with the result that the friction ring is connected fixedly to the brake disk hat so as to rotate therewith. The securing ring secures the friction ring on the brake disk hat in the axial direction. The securing ring includes a number of spring elements which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the securing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Higle
  • Patent number: 10533620
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fibrous preform, comprising an annulus having at least one of an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion, the outer diameter portion extending radially inward from an outer diameter of the fibrous preform and the inner diameter portion extending radially outward from an inner diameter of the fibrous preform. In various embodiments, the fibrous preform further comprises a medial diameter portion disposed between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, wherein the medial diameter portion comprises a first needling profile, and the at least one of the outer diameter portion or the inner diameter portion comprises a second needling profile. In various embodiments, the first needling profile is less than the second needling profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 10533621
    Abstract: There is provided an air spring for supporting a load, the air spring comprises a chamber for holding a pressurised gas in use, a load-bearing surface arranged to transmit a force from a load in use to the pressurised gas held in the chamber. Importantly, in order to lower the spring rate, the chamber contains a mass of adsorptive material. There is also provided a use of an adsorptive material for the purpose of lowering the spring rate of an air spring, including a gas strut and a pneumatic wheel. There is also provided a method of designing an air spring using an adsorptive material to lower the spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Carbon Air Limited
    Inventors: John Fitzgerald Coakley, Andrew Stephen Elliott
  • Patent number: 10533622
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single shock body equipped with the gas permeable internal floating piston. The gas permeable internal floating piston was specifically designed for installation in the multiple stage air shock, the gas permeable internal floating piston being disclosed in the parent application. The gas permeable internal floating piston automatically separates the oil from the gas within the shock body thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing a shock absorber with the gas permeable internal floating piston. Also, separation is maintained during the operation of the shock throughout the shock's lifetime. The gas permeable internal floating piston can operate with oils derived from either petroleum or synthetic base stocks, additives, and various gases including dry air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and argon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bandy
  • Patent number: 10533623
    Abstract: A front fork includes a tubular cylinder; a free piston slidably inserted into the cylinder to partition the cylinder into a pressure chamber and a reservoir; a piston slidably inserted into the cylinder to partition the pressure chamber into an extension-side chamber and a contraction-side chamber; a piston rod having one end connected to the piston and the other end side extending oppositely to the free piston side and protruding outward of the cylinder; a passage configured to allow the pressure chamber and the reservoir to communicate with each other; and a check valve provided in the passage and configured to allow only a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYB MOTORCYCLE SUSPENSION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Tomiuga
  • Patent number: 10533624
    Abstract: A stopper mechanism includes a second cylinder provided at an end portion in an inner cylinder, and a second piston configured to move along with movement of a piston rod to be capable of being fit-inserted through the second cylinder. The second piston includes a stopper coupled to the piston rod, a castle integrated with the stopper by plastic flow to form a ring groove on an outer periphery of the second piston between the castle and the stopper, and a piston ring fixed into a ring groove formed by the stopper and the castle so that the piston ring is displaceable in the ring groove in an axial direction and is retained in the ring groove, and has an annular shape with both ends in a circumferential direction which are formed by partially cutting the piston ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Ishimaru, Naoki Ishibashi, Takayuki Ohno, Makoto Tajima
  • Patent number: 10533625
    Abstract: A damping force adjustable shock absorber that smoothly transfers a magnetic flux while a solenoid is downsized. An electromagnetic damping force adjustment device of the damping force adjustable shock absorber includes a damping force adjustment valve for generating a damping force, and a solenoid for variably adjusting the generated damping force. The solenoid includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic force through supply of current, a cap member having a bottomed tubular shape disposed on an inner peripheral side of the coil, a movable iron core disposed on an inner peripheral side of the cap member, an anchor member configured to attract the movable iron core, a shaft part provided on an inner peripheral side of the movable iron core, and a back-pressure-chamber formation member having a bottomed tubular shape, which is positioned on another end side of the shaft part, and configured to form a back pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Mori
  • Patent number: 10533626
    Abstract: A spring damper disposed inside a coil spring includes: a main body having an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of a spring wire of the coil spring; and an outward convex part having a distal end located on an outer side of a cylindrical virtual plane in the radial direction, the cylindrical virtual plane passing through a center of the spring wire. When the coil spring is compressed by pressing an accelerator pedal by a driver, the outward convex part located between the adjacent spring wires prevents collision between the spring wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuto Kita, Yoshinori Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 10533627
    Abstract: A damping device for damping vibrations of a motor vehicle transmission drivetrain. The damping device features a first element and a second element (2) rotationally movable around a rotation axis X, an elastic damping member having an elastic blade (13, 14) mounted rotationally integrally with the first element (3) and a rolling body movable with respect to the second element along a curvilinear trajectory over at least a predetermined angular sector (A). Movement of the rolling body along the curvilinear trajectory with respect to the second element is accompanied by a movement of the rolling body on the elastic blade, causing the elastic blade to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Ivan Dutier, Jerome Boulet, Herve Maurel
  • Patent number: 10533629
    Abstract: In the centrifugal pendulum damper, a plurality of pendulums are swingably supported on a rotating body. The pendulum includes a swinging shaft serving as the swing center and a rolling shaft including a rolling surface on the outer periphery thereof. The rotating body includes a plurality of pendulum support portions, and the pendulum support portion includes a swinging shaft guide portion that guides the swinging shaft in a radial direction of the rotating body, and a rolling shaft guide portion that is in rolling-contact with the rolling surface of the rolling shaft to cause the pendulum to swing around the swing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Nagao Dohi, Hiroki Nishii, Shohei Kaneko, Eisaku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10533630
    Abstract: A belting connection for attaching a first end and a second end of belting. The belting has a thickness. The belting connection mechanism includes a first stepped region, a second stepped region and a first fastener. The first stepped region is proximate the first end. The first stepped region has a first aperture formed therein. The first stepped region has a first thickness. The second stepped region is proximate the second end. The second stepped region has a second aperture formed therein. The second stepped region has a second thickness. The first fastener extends through the first aperture and the second aperture to attach the first end to the second end. The first stepped region at least partially overlaps the second stepped region when the first end is attached to the second end. When the first end is attached to the second end, the first stepped region and the second stepped region have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Spudnik Equipment Co., LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Borgmann, Evan Steel, Michael A. Schroeder, Mark Beyer
  • Patent number: 10533631
    Abstract: A transmission belt includes a belt body, two spaced-apart mounting axles and a reinforcing unit. The belt body forms a loop that defines an inner space. The mounting axles and the reinforcing unit are embedded in the belt body. The reinforcing unit includes at least one cord that includes a plurality of winding segments and a plurality of connecting segments. The winding segments alternately extend around the mounting axles. Each of the connecting segments interconnects a corresponding pair of the winding segments that respectively extend around the mounting axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KMC CHAIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Patent number: 10533632
    Abstract: A timed, mechanical grip and release wire rope gripper device and system utilizing a pivot mechanism to transfer cable pulling load to the gripper members for opening and closing an axial cable channel or bore defined by the gripper members. The pivot mechanism can act as a hinge for lateral movement of the gripper members or as a pivot point for rotating the gripper members. The mechanism supports substantially even pressure along the cable gripping surface during operation without seizing or excessive cable biting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: RODDIE, INC.
    Inventors: Rod Herrick, Jared W Shappell
  • Patent number: 10533633
    Abstract: A bicycle chain is used to transmit the drive force to at least one chain wheel and contains chain rollers and inner and outer plates which are connected to each other by means of pins. As a result of a corresponding shaping of the extremely hard inner plate, the wear on the teeth which cooperate with the inner plate can be reduced on the chain wheels or sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland, GMBH
    Inventors: Pedro Miguel Nunes Dos Santos, Bruno Miguel Ferreira Da Silva Ribeiro