Using A Rotary-type Fluid Damper Patents (Class 188/290)
  • Patent number: 7575109
    Abstract: Described is a rotary damper comprising a partition wall to partition space formed between a rotor and a housing to house said rotor and to form a fluid chamber to be fluid-filled; and a vane to be disposed in said fluid chamber; and a plug to close an opening of said housing; wherein said plug has a flange to be used for mounting which protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of said plug and a stepped portion to enable part of a roller caulking an edge of said opening of said housing to revolve and travel along a peripheral edge of said housing so that said plug having said flange is coupled to said housing by caulking an edge of said opening of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Hidenori Kanno, Ryota Shimura, Masanori Itagaki, Yoshihiko Nagashima
  • Patent number: 7566050
    Abstract: A rotary shock absorber coupled on an axle between a disc brake rotor and a rotatable wheel of equipment, bicycle or motor vehicle, for providing enhanced suspension. The rotary shock absorber consists of an air-tight hollow disc structure filled with lubricant, the disc structure further having a central circular opening, a sealing plate coupled to and sealing the central circular opening on one side, a sealing boot portion coupled and sealing the central circular opening on the other side, and a circular hub portion nesting inside the hollow disc structure. The hub portion further has six circular through holes, two identical helical springs nested firmly inside each of the six circular through holes, and six lug bolts each having two threaded ends and a smooth body. Each of the six lug bolts is further coupled rigidly and perpendicularly at the center of each of the two corresponding helical springs and secured on both ends at each side of the hollow disc structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090159382
    Abstract: A rotary viscous damper, comprising a stator and a rotor defining between them a main chamber filled with a visco-elastic fluid, which can be of a thixotropic, dilatant, or Bingham, etc, or Magneto-Rheological nature, substantially radial paddles being disposed on each of said stator and rotor, said paddles dividing said main chamber into a plurality of chambers, and presenting means to create a fluid communication between the chambers through specifically shaped conduits that may be located at either the exterior, interior, upper or lower section of the damping chambers. Said damper further comprises at least one conical elastomeric bearing between the stator and the rotor to serve as dynamic sealing, as well as a guide between the stator and the rotor. A volume compensation device is also comprised in the said damper to accommodate fluid temperature changes. Self-lubricated bearings are also comprised in the said damper to guide the main shaft of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Louis Chemouni, Gerald Lo, Hanh Dong
  • Publication number: 20090151121
    Abstract: A damping hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper. The damper has a damping shell, a damping cover, a damping body, an outer gasket and a rotating body. The damping cover is fixed in the damping shell and has a center hole defined, an inner wall of the center hole defines a plurality of loop-shaped groove perpendicular to the center hole and parallel each other. The damping body has a column portion received in the center hole, the column portion protrudes outward to form a plurality of rotating plates perpendicular to the column portion and parallel each other. The rotating plates engage the corresponding loop-shaped grooves. A bottom of the column portion connects a connecting portion located beneath the damping cover. The outer gasket is arranged around the connecting portion and against an inner side of the damping shell. Damping oil is filled between the outer gasket, the damping shell and the damping body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20090113886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrodynamic machine, especially a hydrodynamic retarder, including a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel which are arranged opposite of each other axially with respect to their blade configurations such that they jointly form a working chamber. The working chamber can be filled with a working medium for one operating state in order to transmit torque from the primary wheel to the secondary wheel by means of a circulatory flow of the working medium. The working chamber can be emptied of the working medium for a non-operating state in order to prevent a transmission of torque from the primary wheel to the secondary wheel. A suction apparatus is connected with a fluidic connection to the working chamber in order to suck off working medium and/or air from the working chamber for forming a negative pressure in the working chamber in the non-operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Dieter Laukemann, Werner Adams
  • Patent number: 7527338
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic retarder control apparatus includes two valve spools, one, a retarder control valve, functions as a relay valve to control the on/off operation of a hydrodynamic retarder and the other, a regulator valve, functions to control the regulation of pressure at the hydrodynamic retarder. During abnormal periods of operation of the regulator valve, the retarder control valve will also function as a pressure control valve thereby limiting the maximum pressure at the hydrodynamic retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Mark A. Rader, Bradley L. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 7509710
    Abstract: A damper apparatus includes a stationary housing defining a cavity. A damper body rotatablely installed in the cavity has a head protruding to form a cylindrical guiding portion and a pushing portion defining two side ends apart from each other and rotatable sheets and stationary sheets are respectively received in the cavity and alternately disposed on the guiding portion and the pushing portion. The stationary sheets are fixed to the stationary housing. Each of the rotatable sheets protrudes inwardly to form a retaining portion. The two side ends of the pushing portion alternately engage the retaining portions and at least two of the retaining portions are different in width so as to make the side end of the pushing portion asynchronously contact the retaining portions. Damper resin is filled between the adjacent stationary sheets and rotatable sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Han Lin, Te-Hung Yin
  • Patent number: 7510062
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing and a rotor rotatable in the housing. A clutch is movable toward and away from the housing when said rotor is rotated in first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin Derr, Chad K. Zeilenga
  • Publication number: 20090071777
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system is provided that utilizes a shift solenoid and shift valve to multiplex a single pressure control solenoid to control both modulation of a main pressure regulator valve and retarder operation (fill and pressure).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren J. Weber, Charles F. Long, Jason L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090065314
    Abstract: A damper (D1) comprising an actuator A connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator having a motion converting mechanism (T) for converting a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the conversion by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E), the hydraulic damper (E) having a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), the linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C), the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; a spring (1) accommodated within one of the two pressure chambers and biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in a damper compressing direction; and a spring (2) accommodated within the other pressure chamber and biasing the hydraulic damper
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7484266
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper. The damper includes a damping shell having a shell body. A cover board is formed on an end of the shell body, an axial hole is opened in the center of the cover board. A damping body received in the damping shell has a base portion and a column portion extending from one end of the base portion. The column portion extends outside the damping shell through the axial hole. A plurality of rotatable pieces and a plurality of limiting pieces are received in the shell body of the damping shell and alternately disposed on the column portion of the damping body. The rotatable pieces engage with the column portion so as to rotate together with the damping body, the limiting pieces are fixed to the damping shell. Damping oil is filled between the adjacent limiting pieces and the rotatable pieces. A hermetic ring is disposed on the damping body and pressed against the shell body. A rotatable body is adapted for pushing the damping body to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shan-Yi Yang
  • Publication number: 20090000890
    Abstract: A steering shaft (2) penetrates a head tube (1) fixed to a vehicle body (A) of a motorcycle. The steering shaft (2) is coupled to a front wheel and handlebars of the motorcycle. A linear damper of a double-rod type is enclosed in the steering shaft (2). When the steering shaft (2) rotates with respect to the vehicle body (A), a feed screw (12) engaged with a screw portion (11) on the outer circumference of one of the piston rods (6a, 6a) causes the linear damper to operate. By enclosing the linear damper in the steering shaft (2), a space for disposing the steering damping device can be minimized. The feed screw (12) converts a rotational displacement of the steering shaft (2) into an axial displacement of the piston rods (6a, 6b) such that a bending load does not act on the piston rods (6a, 6b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Furuya
  • Patent number: 7428952
    Abstract: A damper device used in a range of electronic apparatuses. The damper device allows a diverse opening and closing operations by means of a simple structure. A stationary plate and a movable plate resiliently contact, due to the action of a spring, over different contact areas as a movable shaft rotates. This enables a change in a damping force in accordance with opening and closing angles. Accordingly the damper device which allows diverse opening and closing operations, such as to open at a constant speed from immediately after starting to open, is achievable by means of a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7424939
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a driven-to-rotate member with a driven-to-rotate part for coupling to a drive member, a fixed support member for holding the driven-to-rotate member so as to rotate freely, a receiving part formed between the fixed support member and the driven-to-rotate member, a seal for sealing an outer perimeter of the receiving part so that the driven-to-rotate member and the fixed support member are capable of relative rotation, and a viscous fluid inside the receiving part for damping the relative rotation between the driven-to-rotate member and the fixed support member. The rotary damper is easy to assemble by virtue of eliminating the accumulation of unwanted air inside the receiving part. Since air does not mix with the viscous fluid, the torque precision can be made constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi
  • Publication number: 20080202873
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a driven-to-rotate member having integrally a driven-to-rotate part for coupling to a drive member and a first inner cylindrical wall, the first inner cylindrical wall including a locking part at a bottom end of the first inner cylindrical wall; a fixed support member for holding the driven-to-rotate member so as to rotate freely; a receiving part formed between the fixed support member and the driven-to-rotate member; and a seal member for sealing an outer perimeter of the receiving part so that the driven-to-rotate member and the fixed support member are capable of relative rotation. A viscous fluid is provided inside the receiving part for damping relative rotation between the driven-to-rotate member and the fixed support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 7416063
    Abstract: A one-way damper includes a cylindrical housing, a viscous fluid contained within the housing, a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing, and a valve body. The rotor has a center part for forming a rotational center, and a control wall extending radially outwardly from the center part for dividing an inside of the housing. The control wall has a distribution path. The valve body has a holding part for holding the center part, and a free edge part extending from one side of the holding part for opening-and closing the distribution path. A seal member prevents the viscous fluid from leaking between the housing and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Araki, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7416062
    Abstract: A magnetorheological device comprising a housing having a divider within the housing is disclosed and claimed. A rotary impeller having two paddles is rotatably mounted within the housing. The rotary impeller sealingly engages the divider and the paddles in combination with the divider forms a first chamber and a second chamber. Magnetorheological fluid resides in the chambers and a passageway interconnects the first and second chambers. A coil surrounds a portion of the passageway such that when energized the magnetorheological fluid solidifies plugging the passageway. As the impeller rotates, it pushes the incompressible fluid against the divider in the housing and the plug in the passageway and retards and/or stops the motion of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Steven M. Arnold, Nicholas Penney
  • Publication number: 20080173506
    Abstract: An opening and closing member with a rotary damper for use in a western style stool or piano and the like which facilitates easy control of the rotary damper and easy assembly. Hinge members corresponding to an opening and closing member side are adjacently disposed at the same side of respective hinge members on a side of a proper member. The rotary damper having a particular directivity is disposed between hinge members facing each other. The opening and closing member is swivellably journalled on the proper member about an axis of rotation of the rotary dampers, and the damping power of the rotary damper is applied to the swiveling motion as the opening and closing member swivels with the rotary damper on its axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohno, Nobutaka Yajima
  • Patent number: 7390004
    Abstract: In a steering damper device, a rotary damper includes a damper case, a rotary shaft rotatably supported on the case, and an actuation lever connected to the rotary shaft; the damper case is mounted to a steering side member; and a tip end of the actuation lever is connected to a frame side member. One end of a control lever is connected to the frame side member via a first pivot. A tip end of the actuation lever is connected to the other end of the lever via a second pivot. The first and second pivots are arranged so that a line connecting the centers of the first and second pivots is substantially intersected by an axis of a steering stem at a steering angle of 0°. Thus, the steering damper device can obtain desired characteristics while using a rotary damper with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Gogo, Akimi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7384104
    Abstract: An oscillating disc cutter including a cutting disc and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft to effect eccentric oscillation of the cutting disc and a radial bearing disposed to permit relative rotation between the drive shaft and the cutting disc. The cutter further including a hydrostatic axial bearing disposed to react axial forces while accommodating induced rotation of the cutting disc when operatively engaged and to induce a rotational drag thereby limiting rotational peed of the cutting disc when free running. A water pressurized fluid bearing induces a predetermined axial load in the hydrostatic bearing such that a predetermined maximum running clearance in the hydrostatic bearing is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Odyssey Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Burnet Sugden
  • Publication number: 20080121479
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary damper for controlling the operating speed of an operating part, such as a power outlet or an ash tray, of a vehicle. The rotary damper uniformly controls the operating speed of an operating part having a complex track. The rotary damper includes an operating part mounted in the interior in a vehicle in such a manner that the operating part can be introduced or withdrawn, an operating part case for guiding a path of the operating part, a pinion gear mounted to one side of the operating part, and a guide rail rotatably mounted to the operating part case such that the pinion gear can be engaged with the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YoungKyoung Cho
  • Patent number: 7364023
    Abstract: A device (15) for slowing the movement of a drawer (2) urged by unidirectional thrust means (4), including a casing (17) fixable to a structure (S) and defining a chamber (18) filled with a viscous fluid, and a rotor (31). The rotor (31) includes a disc portion (32) and a shaft portion (33) protruding through the lid (21) of the casing (17) in such a way as it can be associated with the door (2). The base surface (23a) of the chamber (18) has a recess (51) operable to house a pivotable arm (52). The arm (52) has a pin portion (54) protruding into the chamber (18). The lower surface (62) of the disc portion (32) of the rotor (31) has a groove (70) for engaging the pin portion (54) of the arm (52). At one end (73), the groove (70) has a cam (76) dividing it into a return path (75) and a forward path (74) for the pin portion (54) so as to define a locking position for the rotor (31) in cooperation with the thrust means (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Antonino Cultraro
  • Patent number: 7360773
    Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 7357231
    Abstract: A door damper. The door damper includes a rotational shaft rotatably coupled to a door, a rotating resistance unit to generate rotating resistance to the rotational shaft, and a latching device latched to the rotational shaft and the door so as to allow the door and the rotational shaft to rotate together in a predetermined region. The latching device includes a free rotating section enabling free rotation of the door at an initial stage of opening the door, and a latching section enabling the latching device to be latched to the rotational shaft and the door at a final stage of opening the door so as to allow the door and the rotational shaft to rotate together. With the door damper, the door of electronic appliances can be smoothly opened without impact, and can be easily closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kwang Kim, Yu Jeub Ha, Yun Ic Hwang, Seok Weon Hong, Pung Yeun Cho, Kyoung Ho Kim, Kil Young Lee, Cheol Jin Kim, Tae Ho Kim, Sang Hyun Kang
  • Patent number: 7357230
    Abstract: A damper (1) has silicone-based unvulcanized rubber (4) interposed between a housing (2) and a shaft (3) which are disposed in such a manner as to be relatively rotatable about an axis (A) in (R) directions with respect to each other, and rotational energy between the housing (2) and the shaft (3) is absorbed through the deformation of the silicone-based unvulcanized rubber (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Masamitsu Kojima, Atsushi Arai, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Yoshihiro Harada
  • Patent number: 7353923
    Abstract: A damper device includes a housing; a viscous fluid filled inside the housing; a rotor rotatably disposed inside the housing; and a sealing member for preventing the viscous fluid from leaking through the rotor and the housing. A rotational wing with a viscous-fluid passage is provided on one of the housing and the rotor. The rotational wing moves relative to the viscous fluid in a circumferential direction, and extends in a radial direction for dividing a housing portion of the housing filled with the viscous fluid. A valve is provided on the rotational wing, and is formed of an elastic member capable of deforming elastically. The valve opens the viscous-fluid passage when the rotor rotates in one direction, and blocks the viscous-fluid passage when the rotor rotates in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Seto, Masayuki Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7343646
    Abstract: A door handle includes a damper wherein a difference in torque changed according to a rotational direction becomes large. A rotor and a valve are completely separated and only the rotor rotates, so that it is possible to significantly reduce torque applied to the rotor. When the rotor and the valve are connected or separated, torque applied to the rotor is changed greatly. Accordingly, instead of gradually changing torque according to a rotational angle of the rotor, it is possible to set a specific point where torque is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7322450
    Abstract: An adequate rotation angle is ensured and any member is not damaged due to fluid resistance even with use of highly viscous fluid. A rotating shaft (2) is provided inside a casing (1) having first divider walls (5) provided on its inner periphery and in direct or indirect contact with the rotating shaft. Second divider walls (4) are provided on an outer periphery of the rotating shaft and in either direct or indirect contact with the casing. A flow passage (4a) is provided in the second divider wall for fluid communication between the pressure chambers. A check valve mechanism has curving portions (6a) moving on and along the periphery of the rotating shaft and valving portions (6b) each joining to the curving portion. The curving portion is supported between the rotating shaft and the first divider wall. The flow passage is opened/closed depending upon a direction of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tok Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobutoshi Orita
  • Patent number: 7303056
    Abstract: A controllable magnetorheological (MR) damper having first, second and third portions is disclosed. The first and second portions have a translational degree of freedom therebetween, and the third portion has a rotational degree of freedom with respect to the first and second portions. The first and third portions are coupled via a translation-to-rotation converter, and the second and third portions are coupled via a magnetorheological (MR) fluid. A bearing is disposed between the first and second portions for supporting a side load therebetween, a magnetic field generator is in field communication with the magnetorheological fluid, and a signal path is in signal communication with the magnetic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 7264096
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a driven rotary member having a driven rotary part for engaging a driving member, and a stationary support member for rotatably supporting the driven rotary member. A housing is disposed between the stationary support member and the driven rotary member, and a viscous fluid is disposed in the housing for damping the driven rotary member when the driven rotary member rotates relative to the stationary support member. A sealing member is disposed on the housing for sealing an outer peripheral edge of the housing so as to allow the driven rotary member to rotate relative to the stationary support member. An opening is formed in the driven rotary member or the stationary support member for communicating a portion of the housing inside the sealing member with atmosphere. The opening is closed when or after the driven rotary member and the stationary support member are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 7258356
    Abstract: A steering damper apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a steering damper housing with a lower end portion fixed to the motorcycle's main frame. A first torque arm has a first end fixed to a pivotally movable shaft, and a second end which is connected, via a first pin, to a first end of a second torque arm. The second torque arm has a second end bolted to a top bridge on the main frame. The first and second torque arms are pivotally movable relative to one another, via the pivot shaft and the first pin. The apparatus is capable of accommodating a change in distance between the pivot shaft and the bolt on the second torque arm. A two-part cover is provided for the steering damper body, including a housing cover secured to a fixed side thereof, and a torque arm cover secured to a movable side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Okazaki, Kaori Inada, Shinichi Ozeki, Katsuyuki Konishi, Masayuki Dazai, Taisuke Nimura, Masayuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 7207425
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing; a viscous fluid filled in the housing; a rotor disposed inside the housing and having a shaft part partially protruding from the housing and a resistance part provided on the shaft part for moving in the viscous fluid inside the housing; and a seal member for sealing between the shaft part and the housing to prevent leakage of the viscous fluid. The rotary damper further includes a first sloping part provided on an upstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to an inner surface of the housing gradually decreasing toward a downstream side; and a second sloping part provided on a downstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to the inner surface of the housing gradually increasing toward a downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7204353
    Abstract: A rotary damper is provided which can include a valve (6) which automatically varies a flow rate of a viscous fluid passing through fluid passages (5a, 5b) in correspondence with variation in load. The valve (6) comprises a leaf spring. The flow rate-adjusting portion (6g) constituting the valve (6) is provided so as not to close the fluid passages (5a, 5b) when no load is applied and bends so that its one surface side projects when no load is applied and becomes deformed in a direction in which the fluid passage (5b) is closed when receiving pressure of the viscous fluid on its one surface side. The flow rate of the viscous fluid passing through the fluid passage (5b) is adjusted depending on a degree of deformation of the flow rate-adjusting portion (6g) corresponding to magnitude of pressure of the viscous fluid applied to one surface side of the flow rate-adjusting portion (6g).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Hidenori Kanno, Ryota Shimura, Masanori Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7188712
    Abstract: A retarder having the following features: a rotor (1) and a stator (2) that, together, form a working space (3); a hollow shaft (4) for connecting, in a rotationally fixed manner, an input shaft (5), which is near a transmission, to an output shaft (6), which is near a cardan shaft, and; the hollow shaft support s the rotor by means of a screw thread (4.1.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Vogelsang, Walter Eberlein, Martin Deeg
  • Patent number: 7175008
    Abstract: A decelerating device includes a casing defining internally a chamber filled with a viscous fluid, e.g. silicone oil; and a movable member fitted in fluidtight manner to the casing, so as to be housed at least partly inside the chamber and immersed in the viscous fluid. The movable member has a partition for dividing the chamber substantially in fluidtight manner into at least two adjacent portions varying in volume as a function of the position of the movable member with respect to the casing; and a calibrated constriction for maintaining permanent hydraulic connection of the at least two adjacent portions of the chamber, so that the viscous fluid flows between the chamber portions as a consequence of relative motion between the movable member and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: ITW Industrial Components S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Bassi
  • Patent number: 7140271
    Abstract: A damper that is mounted to a printed circuit board of an automobile's climate control system includes a tactile feel and torque control mechanism for the user as the user controls the temperature and climate within the interior of an automobile. The damper incorporates a plurality of detents that engage with a plurality of ribs or similar protrusions for providing the desired tactile feel and torque control in the control knob of the climate control system. The printed circuit board used with the automobile's climate control system has an integrated polymer thick film (PTF) circuit that replaces the traditional circuit board technology, thereby eliminating the need for separately mounted potentiometers and resistors as those items can be printed onto the polymer circuit. The printed circuit board is less expensive to manufacture over existing circuit board technology, is easier to assemble, results in fewer parts, and is environmentally friendly as no soldering of components is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Michael J. Hall
  • Patent number: 7111712
    Abstract: An adequate rotation angle is ensured and any member is not damaged due to fluid resistance even with use of highly viscous fluid. A rotating shaft (2) is provided inside a casing (1) having first divider walls (5) provided on its inner periphery and in direct or indirect contact with the rotating shaft. Second divider walls (4) are provided on an outer periphery of the rotating shaft and in either direct or indirect contact with the casing. A flow passage (4a) is provided in the second divider wall for fluid communication between the pressure chambers. A check valve mechanism has curving portions (6a) moving on and along the periphery of the rotating shaft and valving portions (6b) each joining to the curving portion. The curving portion is supported between the rotating shaft and the first divider wall. The flow passage is opened/closed depending upon a direction of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tok Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobutoshi Orita
  • Patent number: 7097013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrodynamic brake which comprises a stator, a rotor, a toroidal space defined by the stator and the rotor, a medium which is intended to be supplied to the toroidal space when the brake is activated, and a multiplicity of components for allowing regulation of the flow of the medium to and from the toroidal space. The hydrodynamic brake incorporates a structure with a multiplicity of recesses which each have an opening in a substantially common plane and each is intended to accommodate one of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventors: Johnny Farm, Hans Jonsson, Gunnar Hermelin
  • Patent number: 7066308
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary damper capable of automatically adjusting an exhibited braking force in correspondence with variation in load. A fluid chamber 2 into which viscous fluid is charged is formed in a casing 1. A vane 3 is disposed in the fluid chamber 2. The vane 3 is formed with a fluid passage 5, and is provided with a valve 6. The valve 6 automatically varies a flow rate of the viscous fluid passing through the fluid passage 5 in correspondence with variation in load. With this structure, it is possible to automatically adjust the exhibited braking force in correspondence with variation in load caused by variation in rotational motion of a subject to be controlled, and to reduce variation in rotation speed of the subject to be controlled to an extremely small value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Hidenori Kanno, Ryota Shimura, Masanori Itagaki
  • Patent number: 7048098
    Abstract: A toroidal rotary damper apparatus includes a housing having a toroidal inner housing surface and a piston moveable in the housing having a curved outer peripheral piston surface in engagement with the inner housing surface. A fluid barrier is attached to the housing and located in the housing interior. A flow control passageway defined by either the piston or the fluid barrier controls passage of damper fluid when there is relative rotational movement between the piston and the housing to dampen the forces causing relative rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Norick B. Moradian
  • Patent number: 7032985
    Abstract: A heart cam and damper unit includes a base member having fixed cylindrical portions and a stopper portion, a rotating member having a movable cylindrical portion which is rotatably assembled to the fixed cylindrical portion with a viscous fluid interposed between the movable cylindrical portion and the fixed cylindrical portions, and a pinion gear rotating integrally with the movable cylindrical portion, a heart cam member rotatable fitted around an outer periphery of an outwardly located one of the fixed cylindrical portion and the movable cylindrical portion, and a device interposed between the base member and the heart cam member and adapted to rotatably urge the heart cam member toward the stopper portion. The heart cam and damper unit is interposed between a main body portion and a movable portion which undergoes opening and closing action with respect to the main body portion and is constantly urged in an opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ichioka, Takeo Mitsueda, Takaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6968929
    Abstract: A gear damper has a fixed first part and a second part rotatable relative thereto, with a gear formed on the second part. A continuous annular seal is provided between the first and second parts, and a substantially continuous layer of damping fluid is provided between the first and second parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Doornbos, Steven L. Bivens
  • Patent number: 6955249
    Abstract: Controlled oscillating damper, comprising: a housing (12) provided with a cavity (14), an oscillating element (18) moving sealingly within the cavity (14), in which the housing (12) and the oscillating element (18) have respective walls defining at least one chamber (44) filled with magneto-rheological or electro-rheological damping fluid, and at least one electrically controlled excitation device (46) equipped with at least one fluid passage (52) which a fluid flow gets through during the motion of the oscillating element (18). The excitation device (46) is stationary with respect to the housing (12) and is arranged so as to divide the damping chamber (44) into two sections of variable volume (44a, 44b) communicating one with the other through the passage (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Biasiotto, Francesco Butera, Stefano Alacqua
  • Patent number: 6951267
    Abstract: A damping force-variable shock absorber comprises a cylinder and a piston rod inside the cylinder. The piston rod is linearly moveable relative to the cylinder. An orifice valve plate having a plurality of valve holes is configured and mounted so as to form a circle about the piston rod. A rotary valve plate having a plurality of radially-protruding projections is mounted about the piston rod and is rotatable with respect to the piston rod and the orifice valve plate. The rotary valve plate has a first and at least a second rotating state with respect to the orifice valve plate, wherein the plurality of valve holes respectively define a first opening and at least a second opening. A guide means for rotating the rotary valve plate between the first and the at least second rotating states is located between the rotary valve plate and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin-Hyuck Heo
  • Patent number: 6918471
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic brake for a vehicle having a stator and a rotor, which each comprise an annular recess and a plurality of vanes which are provided in the respective recess. The rotor rotates in a rotation direction such that a relatively high pressure is created on a first side of the respective vanes of the stator and a relatively low pressure on a second side of each vane of the stator. This pressure difference is used for the supply and the discharge, respectively, of the fluid. A respective supply opening is provided in the stator in the vicinity of the second side of a respective vane and a respective discharge opening is provided in the stator in the vicinity of the first side of a respective vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventor: Hans Jönsson
  • Patent number: 6913125
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing having a cylindrical shape and filled with a viscous fluid, a first rotor rotatably received in the housing and having a first connecting portion formed at an end portion thereof, and a second rotor rotatably housed in the housing coaxially with the first rotor and having a second connecting portion formed at an end portion thereof. The first and second connecting portions engage to allow the first and second rotors together, and forms a space therebetween to allow the viscous fluid to pass therethrough. An elastic member urges the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to connect together, and accumulates an elastic force in a state that the connection between the first and second connecting portions is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6910989
    Abstract: Within the framework of the method for increasing brake efficiency of a vehicle with a hydrodynamic retarder, the rotational speed of the motor is increased by command for downshifting, in such a manner, that the increased cooling fluid circulation flow, due to the higher rotational speed of the motor speed, the necessary retarder braking power is made available, whereby a downshift command is issued, if this is necessary due to the actual retarder braking power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Reisch, Peter Schmidtner
  • Patent number: 6910557
    Abstract: A slide damper for use with an associated sliding object that is movable between a first position and a second position provides an assisted, dampened return. The slide damper includes a housing having a track, a gear on the housing and a cover configured for movement along the housing. The cover further includes a track engaging pin for engaging the housing track as the cover moves along the housing. A biasing element operably connects the cover and the housing to bias the cover to the second position. A damper assembly is disposed within the cover and includes a damper housing having a geared outer periphery, a damping material disposed in the damper housing and a rotor disposed at least in part within the damper housing for cooperating with the damping material. The rotor has a shaft and is rotatable relative to the damper housing. The rotor shaft extends through the cover and a damper gear operably connects the shaft and the housing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Doornbos, Steven L. Bivens
  • Patent number: 6840355
    Abstract: A rotary damper device includes a case in which a viscous fluid is filled and sealed, a rotation shaft relatively rotatably supported by the case, a rotation vane formed protruded from the rotation shaft, and a check valve mounted on a tip part of the rotation vane. A passage where the viscous fluid passes through is formed in the rotation vane. The check valve is provided with an opposing face part facing the passage and a frame body interposing the rotation vane. An elastic member for energizing the opposing face part of the check valve for closing the passage of the rotation vane is formed in either the rotation vane or the opposite side of the frame body of the opposing face part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20040238301
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerated emptying of an operating substance from the working chamber of a hydrodynamic retarder is provided which uses a gaseous medium that is introduced into the working chamber to induce volume displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kai Kamossa, Achim Neher, Karl Mondorf, Dieter Laukemann, Adams Werner