Positive Patents (Class 192/46)
  • Patent number: 8714328
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a ratchet mechanism located between the hub and the tubular portion on one end of the hub, and including a driving member which is located in the tubular portion and is movable linearly. One side of the driving member has a cone-shaped first ratchet portion located axially and is composed of two triangular contact surfaces. A passive member is movable in the first slot and one side of the passive member has a cone-shaped second ratchet portion which is engaged with the first ratchet portion. A returning member unit is located between the hub and the passive member, and between the tubular portion and the driving member. By the triangular cone-shaped first and second ratchet portions, the contact area and the friction between the ratchet portions are reduced, and the engagement and disengagement is more quick and smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kunshan Henry Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kee Ping Tho
  • Publication number: 20140110208
    Abstract: The invention relates to a freewheel hub for a bicycle including an axle and housing rotatably mounted thereon. A sprocket arrangement is mounted on the hub axle and a freewheel is arranged between the hub and the sprocket arrangement. The freewheel has a first coupling ring which couples to the hub and a second coupling ring which couples to the sprocket arrangement. The first and second coupling rings have respective tooth systems facing one another which are arrangeable into and out of mutual torque-transmitting engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 8689567
    Abstract: A locking plate for use in an air turbine starter has a lock plate body including an oil slinger extending away from a base. The base is positioned on an outer peripheral surface of a clutch frame. The slinger extends away from the base for a distance, and a ratio of the distance to a thickness of the base is ten and thirty. A clutch and air turbine starter, and a method of assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, Jody A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20140083809
    Abstract: A rotary damper device with a one-way clutch includes a rotary damper having a damper housing having a viscous fluid sealed inside, and a rotor having a rotor blade received rotatably inside the damper housing and a rotor shaft; and the one-way clutch including an inner member having a recessed portion on an outer perimeter portion and coaxially joined to the rotor shaft, an outer member having an inner gear, and a gear housed in the recessed portion to engage with the inner gear. When the outer member rotates in a positive direction, the outer member rotates independently from the inner member. When the outer member rotates in a negative direction, the gear couples and the outer member and the inner member rotate together. The inner member has a portion larger than the rotor shaft. The outer member has a locking portion to be locked on the inner member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Kei Shimozaki
  • Patent number: 8646587
    Abstract: A strut for a controllable one-way clutch wherein a projecting leg portion on the strut provides an attachment location for a free end of a rod which reciprocates. The strut includes a member-engaging first end surface. The strut further includes a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface. The strut still further includes a main body portion between the end surfaces. The projecting leg portion extends from the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 8602189
    Abstract: A diecast pocket plate or member having a sacrificial surface layer or portion is provided. The member is formed as a unitary die-casting from a die-casting alloy strengthened by an alloying material in a die-casting process. The diecast member includes a coupling face having a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain a locking member that moves in the pocket during an overrun condition of an engageable coupling assembly. The diecast member also includes a relatively hard base portion including particles of the strengthening alloying material of the die-casting alloy. The diecast member further includes a plurality of surface portions which define the pocket. At least one generally vertical surface portion of the surface portions is soft relative to the hard base portion and is substantially devoid of the particles of the alloying material so that the at least one generally vertical surface portion wears or deforms (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Shaw, Stephen M. Ruth, Jeffrey J. Prout
  • Patent number: 8602188
    Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster one-way clutch includes a first part, which is rotatable about an axis in both a drive direction and a slip direction opposite to the drive direction, and a second part, which is driven about the axis by the first part only when the first part rotates in the drive direction. The second part is not driven by the first part when the first part rotates in the slip direction. Multiple movable teeth, carried by one of the parts, are displaceable axially relative to both of the parts and engage between teeth immovably fixed on the other of the parts. The first part may be either an input part or an output part of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventor: John M Louis
  • Publication number: 20130313060
    Abstract: A spring type one-way clutch includes an outer ring rotatable about a rotary shaft and having an inner tubular portion, and a clutch spring mounted in the outer ring. The clutch spring includes a large-diameter coil spring portion, a transition portion connected to the winding end of the large-diameter coil spring portion, and a small-diameter coil spring portion connected to the radially inner end of the transition portion and wound in the opposite direction from the large-diameter coil spring portion. When the outer ring is rotated in the direction opposite the winding direction of the large-diameter coil spring portion, the large and small-diameter coil spring portions are radially compressed and pressed against the inner tubular portion and the rotary shaft, allowing the rotary shaft to rotate together with the outer ring. The transition portion spirals radially inwardly in the winding direction of the large-diameter coil spring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Chiyori Satou
  • Publication number: 20130299294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a free-wheeling cage having a basic body, wherein the basic body includes a first cage ring and a second cage ring, which are arranged around a common axis and wherein cage webs extend axially between the two cage rings, whereby cage pockets are formed, wherein the basic body includes a lubricant reservoir which allows a metered dispensing of lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Swen Doerrie, Birgit Spies, Frieder Altmann, Franz-Josef Vossebuerger
  • Patent number: 8556055
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for a rear hub of a bicycle includes a hub shell, a single-directional driving component and a dual-directional driving component, wherein the single-directional driving component has a ratchet ring and a ratchet base, and a plurality of inclined helical surfaces are located around an inner perimeter of the ratchet ring, and a plurality of engaging ribs that engage with the wedging ribs of the fixed ring of the hub shell are located around an outer perimeter of the ratchet ring. A plurality of conjugating portions are located around an outer perimeter at one end of the ratchet base to form a resilient unit and a hook against the inclined helical surface. A plurality of conjugating ribs are located around one end of the dual-directional driving component, and the conjugating ribs are used to engage with the wedging ribs of the fixed ring of the hub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chosen Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 8550449
    Abstract: A gear clutch assembly and an electronic device are provided. The gear clutch assembly comprises a pivot, a driving gear engaged with the pivot and adapted to rotate along the pivot, and a driven gear disposed on the driving gear. The driving gear comprises a first surface, a ratchet integrally formed with the driving gear comprising a plurality of teeth disposed on the first surface. The driving gear comprises a second surface facing the first surface, and a pawl integrally formed with the driven gear on the second surface. When the driving gear rotates in a driving direction, one of the teeth is engaged with the pawl and drives the driven gear to rotates with the driving gear. When the driving gear rotates in an opposite direction, every tooth pushes up and slides under the pawl so the driven gear does not rotate along with the driving gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Cal-Comp Precision (Singapore) Limited, Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited
    Inventors: Domingo Abao Vicente, Jr., Cher-Lek Toh, Michael Medrano Recinto, Harold Magtibay Cabral
  • Patent number: 8544626
    Abstract: A high efficiency bicycle hub for near frictionless free wheeling comprising a hub having a toothed engagement ring, a driver having a retractable engagement member that can engage and disengage from the hub, and a retraction device to facilitate a disengaged configuration. The retraction device comprises a retaining ring having retraction members and the retractable engagement member comprises reciprocal retraction members to “catch” the retraction member to maintain a disengaged configuration. In use, forward rotation of the driver engages the retractable engagement member with the toothed engagement ring of the hub to drive the hub. Reverse rotation of the driver rotates the reciprocal retraction members underneath or behind the retraction member thereby disengaging the driver from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20130248315
    Abstract: A rotating part for an image forming apparatus, including: a drive member; and a driven member, wherein either of the drive member and the driven member has a male part formed in the direction of a rotational shaft, wherein the other of the drive member and the driven member has a female part formed in the direction of the rotational shaft, and wherein the male part is a ratchet-shape male part to be inserted into the female part and in which when the drive member rotates in a first direction, the male part is brought into engagement with the female part to thereby transmit power from the drive member to the driven member, while when the drive member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the male part and the female part move away from each other to thereby transmit no power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi IIJIMA, Shuichi Ikeda, Makoto Furuune
  • Publication number: 20130248314
    Abstract: Improvements in one way clutches include a first embodiment directed to a one way clutch having two sets of helical teeth arranged about the axis of rotation of a drive and driven member that translate axially into and out of engagement. The one way clutch is biased into engagement by a wave washer or similar device. As the speed of rotation of the clutch increases, hydraulic fluid which is directed axially against the drive member by a dam urges the drive member away from the driven member and opens the clutch. In a second embodiment, a pair of one way clutches having oppositely arranged sets of helical teeth selectively provide one way or overrunning operation in both directions. In this embodiment, each of the drive members may be selectively engaged with the driven member by a hydraulic piston. Respective return springs bias the pistons and drive members toward disengaged positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert Alan Dziurda
  • Patent number: 8522940
    Abstract: An engageable coupling assembly having reduced spin losses and method of assembling such assembly within an automotive transmission to reduce such losses are provided. The assembly is adapted for use with pressurized fluid. The assembly includes first and second coupling members that are supported with respect to each other for relative rotation about a common rotational axis. The coupling members have a first pair of annular faces that oppose each other and define an annular space therebetween. A first face of the first pair has a set of pockets spaced about the rotational axis. A second face of the first pair has a set of locking formations. The coupling members have a second pair of annular faces that oppose each other. A first face of the second pair defines a first set of fluid grooves fluidly communicating the annular space with an exterior surface of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Prout, Joseph J. Jurek
  • Patent number: 8491439
    Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly includes a first ring having pockets spaced mutually about an axis, rockers each located in a pocket, springs each urging a rocker to pivot in a respective pocket, and first notches arranged around the axis. A second ring includes second pockets spaced mutually about the axis, second rockers each located in a second pocket such that at least one second rocker is engageable with a notch, second springs each urging a second rocker toward engagement with a notch, and second notches around the axis, at least one rocker being engageable with at least one second notch. A control member moves about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 8443951
    Abstract: A ratchet cylinder for a bicycle hub is provided with a cylinder member, a plurality of ratchet teeth, a plurality of springs and a C-ring. The C-ring circles around the connecting end of the cylinder member and engages in the grooves of the respective ratchet teeth, so as to retain the ratchet teeth in the receiving grooves and allow the ratchet teeth to pivot within a limited angle. The springs are disposed between the ratchet teeth and the ratchet cylinder to keep pushing the respective ratchet teeth of the hub shell into an engagement position with the teeth of the hub shell, so that the ratchet teeth can be surely engaged with the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Te-Yao Hsieh
  • HUB
    Publication number: 20130105266
    Abstract: Hub for two-wheeled vehicles having a hub axle and a hub body and a rotor and with a toothed disk freewheel comprising a pair of interacting engagement components each comprising one axial toothing. The engagement components are biased in the engagement position via a biasing device. The one of the engagement components is received at the hub body to be non-rotatable and axially displaceable and the other of the engagement components is provided non-rotatable at the rotor for transmitting a rotary motion from the rotor to the hub body in the engagement position of the two engagement components. At least one engagement component is configured as a toothed disk and is provided with the axial toothing and has an axial width which is at least the size of half the outer radius of the axial toothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Walthert
  • Publication number: 20130092494
    Abstract: An apparatus and a multi-position rotating device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a main body having a rotational surface with a plurality of position holders and (2) an end cap releasably couplable to the main body and configured to rotate in a single direction, with respect to the rotational surface, based on the position holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Tony D. Scott, James M. Cordell, David Worley
  • Patent number: 8418825
    Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first plate including cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets, a coil located in one of the plates, struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil, and springs urging the struts to pivot opposite a pivot direction caused by energizing the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20130062151
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a ratcheting reverse strut or radial ratchet for use in the assembly are provided. The size and shape of the strut or ratchet and corresponding notches (i.e. geometry) of a notch plate of the assembly are specifically configured so that the strut or ratchet “ratchets” during the overrun condition. The strut or ratchet will not engage the notch plate until relative notch plate speed drops below a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 8387765
    Abstract: A radial ratchet one-way clutch, including: at least one inner race having a plurality of indentations on an outer circumferential surface; at least one outer race having a plurality of indentations on an inner circumferential surface; and a plurality of engagement elements having respective first segments. The engagement elements are assembled with a bias so that the first segments are urged against the inner race. For rotation of the outer race in a locking direction, respective first segments for at least a portion of the engagement elements are engageable with respective indentations from the pluralities of indentations to rotationally lock the inner and outer races. For rotation of the outer race in a free-wheel direction, opposite the locking direction, the respective first segments are slidable across the outer circumferential surface to enable independent rotation of the outer race with respect to the at least one inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: William Brees
  • Patent number: 8365892
    Abstract: The present invention is a ratcheting one-way clutch for an automotive component such as, for example, a stator for a torque converter. A plurality of ramp plates is provided that are positioned on either side of the catch plate. Each ramp plate includes a series of locking fingers directed at an angle toward the catch plate in a plane that enables the fingers to engage with one of the at least one windows on the catch plate. Such an engagement prevents the catch plate from rotating in the engagement direction, while the angled orientation of the locking fingers allows the catch plate to rotate freely in the opposite (freewheeling) direction. Biasing elements are proved to axially bias the ramp plates toward the centrally positioned catch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd J. Sturgin
  • Patent number: 8365891
    Abstract: A positively locking overrunning clutch, which has a damping device, a drive input element and a drive output element and also at least one blocking element which blocks a rotation of the drive output element relative to the drive input element in a first rotational direction and enables the rotation in the opposite rotational direction. The blocking element has two clamping rings which are pivotable relative to one another and damped with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20130025993
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly includes a hub body mounted around an axial core. The hub body has one end containing a ratchet ring that has an inner periphery formed with unidirectional ratchet teeth. A ratchet wheel is arranged between the axial core and the ratchet ring and has an outer periphery formed with detent recesses, each said detent recess receiving therein a detent for engaging with the ratchet teeth. The detent includes a pivot portion and a swinging arm. The pivot portion is retained by the detent recess and has an arc of 180 to 270 degrees so that the swinging arm swings when the pivot portion rotates in the detent recess. The detent has clenching surfaces for engaging with the ratchet teeth, wherein a direction where the clenching surface extends is identical to a swinging direction of the swinging arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 8348040
    Abstract: A form-fitting freewheel coupling, which has a first and second clamping track with latching structures, a gap space between the clamping tracks, and a clamping ring arranged in the gap space. The clamping ring has clamping tongues facing toward the first clamping track and clamping tongues facing toward the second clamping track. A drag ring is arranged in the gap space. The drag ring is pivotable to a limited extent, relative to the clamping ring and is spring-loaded against one of the clamping tracks and interacts with the clamping ring in such a way that, in the event of a rotation of the first clamping track relative to the second clamping track in the freewheel direction, the clamping ring is lifted fully from one of the clamping tracks, while the clamping tongues, which face away from the clamping track, protrude into the latching structures of the opposite clamping track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 8336693
    Abstract: A bicycle hub comprises: a housing, a driving base in the housing, and an engaging unit for the driving base to drive the housing in a single direction. The engaging unit consists of several claws and elastic elements surrounding thereon. Each of the elastic elements is an arc hook and urges against the corresponding claw. The claws thus enable the driving base to drive the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Chun-Yi Wu
  • Publication number: 20120305359
    Abstract: Provided is a clutch unit, comprising: a lever-side clutch portion (11) for controlling transmission and interruption of rotational torque to an output side through lever operation; and a brake-side clutch portion (12) for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion (11) to the output side and for interrupting torque reversely input from the output side, wherein: the lever-side clutch portion (11) comprises an outer centering spring (19) provided between a lever-side outer ring (14) to be rotated through the lever operation and a cover (24) restricted in rotation, for accumulating an elastic force obtained by torque input from the lever-side outer ring (14) and for restoring the lever-side outer ring (14) to a neutral state with the accumulated elastic force through releasing of the torque input from the lever-side outer ring (14); the cover (24) comprises an inclined portion (24g) which abuts on the outer centering spring (19) and swells to the outer centering spring (19) side; and a rounded
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Takahide Saito, Masahiro Kawai, Kouji Isoda, Naochika Kubota, Yumiko Mineno, Hiromitsu Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 8312976
    Abstract: A high efficiency bicycle hub for near frictionless free wheeling comprising a hub having a toothed engagement ring, a driver having a retractable engagement member that can engage and disengage from the hub, and a retraction device to facilitate a disengaged configuration. The retraction device comprises a retaining ring having retraction members and the retractable engagement member comprises reciprocal retraction members to “catch” the retraction member to maintain a disengaged configuration. In use, forward rotation of the driver engages the retractable engagement member with the toothed engagement ring of the hub to drive the hub. Reverse rotation of the driver rotates the reciprocal retraction members underneath or behind the retraction member thereby disengaging the driver from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 8302751
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a driving system for a belt axis of a winch in the field of mechanics, which addresses the problems existing in conventional driving systems, such as a complicated structure and poor reliability. The driving system for the belt axis of the winch is positioned at the extension end of the belt axis on one side of a winch support. The driving system includes a rotary body and a fixed base, in which the fixed base is connected to the extension end of the belt axis via a connection means and the inner end of the rotary body is set on the fixed base. An insertion pore is positioned at the outer end of the rotary body. A spring is provided between the rotary body and the fixed base, under the action of which the inner end face of the rotary body is attached to the outer end face of the fixed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zhejiang Topsun Logistic Control Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Buqin Ruan
  • Patent number: 8297421
    Abstract: A one-way clutch for assisting the rotation of a rotary fluid motor includes a ratchet and a hub rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to the ratchet. The ratchet includes a plurality of teeth, and the hub includes a pawl for engaging the teeth to rotate the ratchet in a single direction of rotation. A control device including an active material interconnects the pawl and the hub. The active material of the control device contracts in response to a control signal to move the pawl. An actuator including an active material is spirally wound around an outer periphery of the hub. The active material of the actuator contracts to spin the hub and thereby drive the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne
  • Patent number: 8286772
    Abstract: A controllable coupling assembly including a coupling member and an overrunning coupling and control assembly utilizing same are provided wherein a set of actuators are supported on a control member of the assembly for movement therewith to move or pivot respective struts received within pockets of the coupling member. Apparatus is responsive to a control pressure signal to exert a control force on the control member to cause the control member to move from its first position which corresponds to a first mode of the coupling assembly to its second position which corresponds to a second mode of the coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may be an overrunning clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Patent number: 8276731
    Abstract: A hub for a bicycle includes a shaft (12), a hub body (40), a ratchet wheel (43), a drive seat (10), a support ring (15), a rotation ring (21), a plurality of pawl members (22), a stop bushing (121), a limit ring (30) and a damper (33). Thus, when the drive seat is rotated backward by the pedal, each of the pawl members is retracted into the respective receiving slot (212) of the rotation ring to disengage the oneway ratchet teeth (42) of the ratchet wheel, so that each of the pawl members is spaced from and will not touch the ratchet wheel when the pedal is driven backward to prevent from producing a noise when the pedal is driven backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Chosen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 8276725
    Abstract: A clutch for transmitting torque between a first member and a second member includes a locking plate having an engagement groove, a carrier disposed adjacent the locking plate, an engagement member rotatably supported in an aperture of the carrier, an apply biasing element, a release plate, a release biasing element, and an electromagnet. The engagement member is rotatable between an engagement position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LC
    Inventors: Shawn H Swales, Scott H. Wittkopp, Norman Schoenek
  • Patent number: 8272488
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assemblies, each of which includes control apparatus having a latching mechanism are provided. Each latching mechanism prevents an actuator arm of an overrunning coupling assembly from moving in a first direction substantially parallel to a shift direction of a control plate of the coupling assembly within a housing slot in a locked condition of the mechanism in a first position of the control plate. A control pressure signal within a bore of the housing changes the condition of the latching mechanism from locked to unlocked to unlock the actuator arm and causes the unlocked actuator arm to move along the first direction within the slot and the control element to move along the shift direction to a second position. The control pressure signal also causes a piston which has a groove formed in its outer surface to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm to slide within the bore in the housing against the biasing force of the at least one biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Eisengruber, Terry O. Hendrick, Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Robert D. Fetting, Joshua A. Bukoffsky
  • Publication number: 20120216968
    Abstract: A shielding apparatus is provided in which operations of raising and lowering a middle rail and operations of raising and lowering a bottom rail can be performed independently from each other by means of a common operation cord. In a shielding apparatus equipped with an elevation apparatus configured to raise and lower a middle rail 3 and a bottom rail 5, whereby a shielding member 2, 4 can be pulled out in the vertical direction or folded in, the elevation apparatus comprises an operation cord 16 of an endless type hanging down from a head box 1, and selective operation means 13 configured to raise or lower the middle rail 3 through an operation of the operation cord 16 in one direction, and to raise or lower the bottom rail 5 through an operation in the other direction, wherein the selective operation means 13 is configured to push up the middle rail 3 by the bottom rail 5 so that the bottom rail 5 and the middle rail 3 can be raised together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Tachikawa Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120193182
    Abstract: A stator assembly including a stator body having an axially outer surface, wherein at least one raised pod extends axially from the axially outer surface in a first axial direction, a side plate substantially engaged with an inner diameter of the stator body for holding a one-way clutch assembly within the stator body, wherein the side plate is at least partially located axially within stator body, wherein the at least one raised pod is operatively arranged to be compressed in a second axial direction, the second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, and wherein compressing the at least one raised pod deforms the at least one raised pod to extend radially to form at least one radial tab, wherein the at least one radial tab overlaps the side plate for securing the stator body and the side plate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Nigel Gurney
  • Patent number: 8215468
    Abstract: A torque-transmission system with a decoupler (1) between a shaft (2) and a belt pulley (3) of a starter generator is provided. The belt pulley can rotate relative to the shaft (2). For reducing rotary oscillations, the decoupler (1) includes a damping device arranged between the belt pulley (3) and the shaft (2) with at least one spring element (5). The decoupler (1) includes an automatic locking device (7) that is dependent on a direction of rotation and that produces, at a low rotational speed level, a coupling between the belt pulley (3) and the shaft (2), and this coupling automatically disconnects when a pre-determined rotational speed is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Christian Hauck
  • Patent number: 8210331
    Abstract: One-way clutches primarily employ a driving ring, a driven ring, and a number of identical connectors. The driving ring and the driven ring are rotationally detached, are coaxial, and are configured to house the connectors between them. In one rotational direction, the connectors engage the driving and the driven rings, causing them to rotate in unison. In the opposite rotational direction, the connectors disengage the driving and the driven rings, causing them to freewheel. All existing one-way clutches are aided by means that bias the connectors toward engagement, introducing noise, wear, and heat while freewheeling. Additionally, existing one-way clutches that utilize relatively more efficient pawls as connectors, undergo relatively more backlash from freewheeling to engagement, introducing operational imprecision. The one-way clutch in the present invention utilizes pawls for maximum mechanical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Hossein Estahbanati Keshtkar
  • Publication number: 20120145506
    Abstract: A mode selector mechanism for a selectable one way clutch assembly includes a lever moveable between a first position, a second position and a third position. A lever biasing device biases the lever in a first direction. A piston acts in opposition against the lever biasing device to move the lever in a second direction opposite the first direction. The piston is actuated by a variable hydraulic signal. The lever is disposed in the second position when the variable hydraulic signal includes a fluid pressure between a first fluid pressure and a second fluid pressure. The lever is disposed in the third position when the variable hydraulic signal includes a fluid pressure greater than the second fluid pressure. The lever is disposed in the first position when the variable hydraulic signal includes a fluid pressure less than the first fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert K. Saley
  • Patent number: 8196724
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes a strut plate co-annular to a slide plate and a notch plate. The selectable one-way clutch is configured to transfer torque between a strut plate and a notch plate in a first direction when a displacement actuator moves a pin and a slide plate to a first position. The selectable one-way clutch is configured to disengage the strut plate from the notch plate when the displacement actuator moves the pin and the slide plate to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Alexander Millerman, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8186492
    Abstract: A one way clutch arranged for coupling a transmission having a stator shaft to a torque converter stator including a hub having an outer circumferential edge having a first wall extending perpendicularly therefrom and an inner circumferential edge having a hub spline arranged thereon, the first wall having at least one hub slot, and each of the at least one hub slot has a first length, a substantially cylindrical spring ring having a second wall, the second wall including at least one spring ring slot and at least one spring ring tab arranged adjacent to an open end of the at least one spring ring slot and forming at least a portion of an edge of the at least one spring ring slot, each of the at least one spring ring slot has a second length greater than the first length, the at least one hub slot in registered alignment with the at least one spring ring slot and the at least one spring ring tab arranged within and adjacent to the at least one hub slot and extends radially therethrough and a tab plate having
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: William Brees
  • Publication number: 20120125729
    Abstract: [Object] A unidirectional clutch can reduce a backlash without increasing the number of components, and also can improve silence and durability. [Means of Solving Problem] In a planet gear member 4 including a planet gear 4a which meshes an internal gear 2b of an outer member 2,locking teeth 4b are provided coaxially and integrally relative to the planet gear through a flange 4c. In an inner member 3, U-shaped wall portions 3b receiving the locking teeth 4b are provided. In the U-shaped wall portion, an engaging portion 5 is provided so that teeth of one portion of the locking teeth can engage. A locked state is attained by the locking teeth, so that even if the planet gear receives a restriction of the number of teeth, the number of the teeth (pitch) of the locking teeth can be finely set arbitrarily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Naoto Jimbo
  • Publication number: 20120111686
    Abstract: A pawl and ratchet assembly has a rotatable pawl, a spring for urging the pawl towards the ratchet, and a member for interfering with travel of the pawl such that force of the spring upon the pawl is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Jody A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120111687
    Abstract: A pawl and ratchet clutch assembly for use in transmitting rotational drive torque has a rotatable pawl; a spring for urging the pawl towards the ratchet; and, a member rotatably mounted between the pawl and the spring for rotating along the spring as the pawl moves relative to the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Jody A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120103744
    Abstract: A starter motor includes an electric motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor and an inertia drive pinion which includes a driver in threaded engagement with the drive shaft, a pinion shaft rotatably sleeved on the drive shaft, an output pinion being able to rotate with the pinion shaft, and a one way clutch. At least one elastic member is arranged between the output pinion and the pinion shaft in the axial direction to resiliently support the output pinion to move along the pinion shaft. A one way clutch especially suitable for the starter motor was also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Jun Jie CHU, Xiao Bing Zuo
  • Publication number: 20120103747
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that driveably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that driveably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20120103745
    Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first plate including cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets, a coil located in one of the plates, struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil, and springs urging the struts to pivot opposite a pivot direction caused by energizing the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20120103746
    Abstract: A one-way diode includes a first plate including a coil and cams distributed about an axis, a second plate axially facing the cams and including pockets and a second coil, and struts, each strut supported in one of the pockets for pivoting axially relative to the cams in response to an electromagnetic field induced by current in the coil and the second coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20120073928
    Abstract: A torque overload clutch, in one form, comprises outer and inner members. A recess is formed in the outer member and a radial opening is formed in the inner member. A driving member is slideably captured in the opening to move between an extended, engaged position with the recess and a retracted, disengaged position. An actuator ring is urged by a spring into engagement with the driving member to bias the driving member toward the engaged position. An end of the driving member may engage the recess to define an engagement angle that is approximately between thirty-four degrees and seventy-degrees relative to a radially oriented reference. The driving member may be slideably captured in a liner seated in the opening, and one or both may be impregnated with a lubricant. A bearing may be positioned between the inner and outer members to inhibit relative movement there between along the clutch axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Daryl J. Jaeger