Plural Guide Rolls Engaging Single Belt Patents (Class 474/134)
  • Patent number: 11975793
    Abstract: A motorcycle with a swing arm element pivotably coupled to a holding element of the motorcycle via a rotary bearing is provided with a tensioning element. The motorcycle also includes a pulling member which engages two gear elements which are each spaced from the rotary bearing in a torque-transmitting manner. The first gear element is rotatably mounted separately from the swing arm element, and the second gear element is rotatably mounted on the swing arm element. The tensioning device for tensioning the pulling member is mounted rotatably and/or in an axially displaceable manner relative to the two gear elements on the swing arm element or on a frame of the motorcycle. The tensioning device includes at least two levers pivotable relative to one another, and a tensioning element which biases the levers against the pulling member to maintain consistent tension in the pulling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Halfer
  • Patent number: 11898634
    Abstract: The belt tension idler device increases tension on a belt. A mounting foot secures the belt tension idler to a vehicle. A rotating head that extends from the body of the device contacts the belt to maintain tension against the belt. A tensioning spring biases the device to maintain tension on the belt. The tension reduces slack thereby reducing vibrations from the belt and maintaining proper alignment of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Michael E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11873060
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for use with a bike is provided. The bike includes a frame and a belt. The frame includes a chain stay and a seat stay having a top surface and bottom surface. The belt tensioner includes a tensioner skeleton, a roller and a tension regulator. The tensioner skeleton is pivotally connected to the chain stay or the seat stay. An included angle is formed between the tensioner skeleton and chain stay or the seat stay. The roller is pivotally connected to the tensioner skeleton and in contact with the belt. The tension regulator presses against the belt to adjust tension of the belt. The tension regulator is disposed at an end of the tensioner skeleton, and the end of the tensioner skeleton is positioned distal to the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MOBILITY HOLDINGS, LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric Yi-Hung Lin, Joakim Uimonen
  • Patent number: 11821516
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus incorporates a dedicated physical feature configured for attachment of a tensioning tool, for tensioning of a drive belt having one of its belt pulleys carried by the mounting apparatus. In an example embodiment, the mounting apparatus comprises a body member, e.g., a mounting plate, for a pulley assembly. The body member incorporates a dedicated physical feature that is configured for engagement with a tensioning tool, for pulling the body member in a tensioning direction relative to the involved belt. The mounting apparatus comprises, for an example, an interior component of a robot, and is mounted within an interior volume of a segment of the robot, for tensioning of a drive belt carried within the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Craig A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11787505
    Abstract: A linkage having a link arm including a first link and a second link. The first link includes a first hole and a second hole. The second link includes a third hole and a fourth hole. The first link and the second link are pivotally coupled to a first member about a first pivot axis, and are pivotally coupled to a second member about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The first hole and the third hole are provided coaxially with the first pivot axis. The second hole and the fourth hole are provided coaxially with the second pivot axis. The third hole is provided between the first hole and the first member in an axial direction with respect to the first pivot axis in a state where the first link is pivotally coupled to the first member about the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujii, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11780675
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carriage lift assembly including a mast member, a top and bottom bearing assembly, one or more belt members, one or more belt tensioner assemblies, and one or more carriage assemblies. Each belt tensioner assembly defines a first clamping block and a second clamping block for securing a first and a second end, respectively, of a belt member to provide initial tension, and a pair of bolt members adjusted to move a slidable plate member upon which the second block is coupled to provide final tension. Each carriage assembly is removably attached to a corresponding belt tensioner assembly, and defines a center plate and two side plates. Each side plate defines at least a removable set of guiding wheels and a first set of guiding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Hart, Anthony Turco, Jarl Nicholas Sebastian
  • Patent number: 11745827
    Abstract: Bicycle rear derailleur device (1) comprising a chain guide assembly (15) made up of two parts: a guiding cage (28) and a tension cage (32). It also comprises a movable member (18) coupled to a base member (10) via a linking member (13) to align the chain guide assembly (15) with the different sprockets. Said tension cage (32) carries a tension pulley (11), is pivotably coupled to the movable member (18) and is biased by a main spring or biasing member (17). The guiding cage (28) carrying a guiding pulley (14), and the tension cage (32) are both configured to move either jointly or independently of each other, such the distance between both pulleys (14, 11) is fixed or free respectively, varying as a consequence the chain tension. To do so, the guiding cage (28) is pivotally coupled to the tension cage (32) comprising between them coupling means (16) that selectively and reversibly make both cages united or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rotor Componentes Tecnologicos, S.L.
    Inventors: David Martinez Garcia, Pablo Carrasco Vergara, Carlos Miguel Carton Cordero, Angelica Del Rio Garcia
  • Patent number: 11679838
    Abstract: A derailleur system is provided that moves the derailleur cage in a substantially rectilinear path. The derailleur is mounted to a frame having a gear cassette mounted thereon. The gear cassette includes an axis of rotation. The derailleur includes a drive member engaging the gear cassette. The derailleur is positioned on the frame adjacent the gear cassette, and including a spatial linkage having a stationary link, a floating link, and a cage assembly having two pulleys each defining an axis of rotation. The drive member engages each of the pulleys. The path of the floating link is substantially linear through substantially its entire range of motion and variously aligns at least one of the pulleys with the gear cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: YETI DESIGN, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Zawistowski
  • Patent number: 11668034
    Abstract: A sewing machine according to the present invention includes: an upper shaft that drives a needle and a balance; a lower shaft that drives a hook and a feed dog; an upper and lower shaft belt that synchronizes rotation of the upper shaft with rotation of the lower shaft; and an idler unit that pushes an idler into the upper and lower shaft belt to change a tension side belt length, in which the idler unit includes a transmission mechanism connected to the upper shaft or the lower shaft, and a rotating body mechanism provided with the idler and having a rotating body that rotates in synchronization with the upper shaft or the lower shaft by the transmission mechanism, and a pushing amount of the idler into the upper and lower shaft belt is changed according to rotation of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: JANOME SEWING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Syuichi Sato, Jun Mafune
  • Patent number: 11661143
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a chain roller for a rear bicycle gearshift mechanism. The chain roller comprising a rotatory bearing, a toothed ring with teeth formed thereon, and a support structure which connects the rotary bearing and the toothed ring. The toothed ring and support structure are formed from different materials and are connected to one another radially and axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11661141
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a linkage structure, a pulley assembly, and a rotational force control structure configured to control rotational force of the pulley assembly relative to the movable member. The pulley assembly is pivotally movable relative to the movable member about a pivot axis in first and second directions. The pulley assembly is configured to move in the first direction upon moving from a second pivotal position toward a first pivotal position. The rotational force control structure includes a cam member having a first cam surface, an abutment member configured to abut the first cam surface, and a biasing member configured to bias the abutment member. The abutment member is configured to abut the first cam surface by the biasing member to apply first additional force to the pulley assembly in the first direction while the pulley assembly is in the first pivotal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Fujimoto, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 11603910
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a drive belt tensioner configured to adjust tension in a drive belt of a blower assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The drive belt tensioner includes a mounting bracket configured to couple directly to a blower housing that is configured to house a blower of the blower assembly. The drive belt tensioner further includes an idler pulley configured to contact the drive belt. A position of the idler pulley is adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to enable adjustment of the tension in the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Ravindra B. Salunkhe, Shridhar V. Vernekar, Bhushan C. Kadu, Nikhil N. Naik
  • Patent number: 11592085
    Abstract: A belt-tensioning device includes an electric machine having a drive belt pulley, which is driven about a drive axis, and a further drive belt pulley, where an endless belt wraps around the drive belt pulleys. The device has a housing in which a first and a second spring arm are mounted, in each of which spring arms a tension roller having axes of rotation which are parallel to the drive axis is rotatably mounted. The spring arms are supported against one another and press the endless belt together via the tension rollers in the region of the drive belt pulley. A first and a second further spring arm are provided adjacent to the spring arms which are adjustable by an adjustment element such that the spring forces of the further spring arms either do or do not support the spring forces of the spring arms acting on the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Yavuz Islemecioglu, Matthias Sagner, Frank Sliwa, Emmerich Weissenbek, Johannes Wunder
  • Patent number: 11378164
    Abstract: An engine includes: a crankshaft pulley; a motor/generator mounted to a side of the engine and including a motor pulley; an auxiliary driving device pulley; a dual tensioner including a tensioner arm of which a first idler pulley is mounted to a first end of the tension arm and a second idler pulley is mounted to a second end of the tension arm, and the tensioner arm rotatable around a center of the motor/generator and a belt connecting the crankshaft pulley, the motor pulley, the auxiliary driving device pulley, the first idler pulley, and second idler pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Kyu Lee, Tae Hoon Roh, Heedo Kwon, Jong Won Lee, Jaekyun Lee, In Jae Seo, Hyun Jeong Baek, Kye Oong Song, Woong Na
  • Patent number: 11378172
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for tensioning systems of a drive belt are disclosed. Particularly, tensioning systems for a drive belt of a rotary screen of a harvester combine are disclosed. The tensioning system provides for avoiding over-tensioning the drive belt when the drive belt is disengaged from a drive shaft. The tensioning system may also provide for maintaining continuous operation of the drive shaft as the drive belt is moved between engagement and disengagement with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jacqueline Norman Gray, Javier Reyna Gándara, Joey A. Mock, Nicholas M. Barden
  • Patent number: 11181171
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt on an engine, and includes a base mountable to a stationary member, and a first tensioner arm pivotably connected to the base. The first tensioner arm is biased in a first pivot direction. The tensioner includes a first bumper on one of the base and the first tensioner arm, which is engageable with a first travel limiter on the other of the base and the first tensioner arm to limit travel of the first tensioner arm in a second pivot direction, and a first pulley rotatably mounted to the first tensioner arm and positioned to engage a first section of the belt. The first bumper and the first travel limiter together have a selected first combined spring rate during engagement. The first combined spring rate increases progressively with compression between the first bumper and the first travel limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Wei Ma
  • Patent number: 11131366
    Abstract: A belt tensioner controls the pretension of a belt for an ancillary component such as a starter/generator. The ancillary component may apply torque in each direction at different times. The starter/generator has a generator shaft and a generator belt pulley around which the belt passes. A flange is fixed to the starter/generator with a bearing sleeve which surrounds the generator shaft. A first tensioning arm and a second tensioning arm are each formed as circular rings and mounted on the bearing sleeve so as to pivot against each other. One tensioning arm is supported on an inner side of the bearing sleeve while the other tensioning arm is supported on the outer side of the bearing sleeve. Two tensioning rollers are mounted on the tensioning arms and apply a pretensioning force to the belt before and after the generator belt pulley in the belt running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Zoran Maricic
  • Patent number: 11078993
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning an endless drive member that is engaged with a rotary drive member on a shaft of a motive device. The tensioner includes a base that is mountable to the motive device, a ring that is rotatably supported by the base in surrounding relationship with the shaft of the motive device and which is rotatable about a ring axis, a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to the ring for pivotal movement about an arm pivot axis, and first and second tensioner pulleys. The first tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm is biased towards a first span of the endless drive member on one side of the rotary drive member. The second tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the ring and is biased towards a second span of the endless drive member on another side of the rotary drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Ingo Walter
  • Patent number: 11041549
    Abstract: A tensioning device for tensioning a traction mechanism of a belt drive comprises a base member; a first tensioning arm pivotably supported on the base member and carrying a first tensioning roller; a second tensioning arm pivotably supported on the base member and carrying a second tensioning roller; a spring arrangement with first and second springs arranged to be effective between the first and second tensioning arms; wherein the two tensioning arms, when being pivoted relative to each other within a first tensioning angle range, are force-loaded against each other by the first spring, wherein the second spring is force-free relative at least to one of the tensioning arms; and wherein the tensioning arms, when being pivoted relative to each other within a second tensioning angle range comprising larger tensioning angles than the first tensioning angle range, are force-loaded against each other by the first spring and the second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Simon Pfeifer, Fabian Stephan
  • Patent number: 10975939
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Ryeland, Ron Farewell, Andrew M. Boyes, Thelma Neudorf, Jason R. Desouza-Coelho, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 10920860
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device comprises: a base member; a first tensioning arm, which is pivotably supported by a bearing sleeve on the base member around a first pivot axis and which comprises a first tensioning roller, wherein the bearing sleeve is configured radially elastically and is connected to one of the components, the base member and the first tensioning arm in a rotationally fixed manner, and which is rotatable relative to the other of the components, the base member and the tensioning arm a second tensioning arm, which is pivotably supported on the base member around a second pivot axis and comprises a second tensioning roller; a spring arrangement that pre-tensions the first tensioning arm and the second tensioning arm in circumferential direction relative to each other; pre-tensioning means, which that are arranged radially between a circumferential face of the bearing sleeve and a circumferential face of the component connected to the bearing sleeve to exert a radial force in direction relative to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Florian Stadermann, Joachim Jud, Simon Pfeifer, Manfred Jung
  • Patent number: 10900546
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an actuator. The actuator, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, includes a motor configured to generate torque, a gear device configured to amplify the torque, a belt driving device configured to transfer the torque to the gear device, and a bracket unit configured to fix a distance between a rotation shaft of the motor and a gear shaft of the gear device, wherein the bracket unit includes a pair of support members configured to support a portion of an outer peripheral surface of a belt gear in the bracket driving device and prevent tooth disengagement of the belt gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10788105
    Abstract: A pendulum tensioner, comprising a first and second tensioning arm, and a bearing sleeve configured to attach to a generator housing, wherein the bearing sleeve forms a sliding channel together with a locking sleeve, in which one of the tensioning arms is rotatably positioned with axial play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Reuschel, Luc Fischer, Thierry Leobold, Thomas Motz, Marco Meisborn, Robert Kamm
  • Patent number: 10704656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt or chain tensioner (1) for a belt or chain drive of an internal combustion engine, having a base unit (2), an annular tensioning arm (3) which is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the base unit (2) about an axis of rotation and on which a tensioning roll (4) prepared for pre-tensioning a section of an endless belt or chain is arranged, and two interconnected bearing parts (5, 6), by which the tensioning arm (3) is pivotally mounted on the base unit (2), and the bearing parts (5, 6) are designed as identical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Zoran Maricic, Alexander Weidner
  • Patent number: 10520066
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning an endless drive member that is engaged with a rotary drive member on a shaft of a motive device. The tensioner includes a base that is mountable to the motive device, a ring that is rotatably supported by the base in surrounding relationship with the shaft of the motive device and which is rotatable about a ring axis, a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to the ring for pivotal movement about an arm pivot axis, and first and second tensioner pulleys. The first tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm is biased towards a first span of the endless drive member on one side of the rotary drive member. The second tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the ring and is biased towards a second span of the endless drive member on another side of the rotary drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Ingo Walter, Michael B. Fischer, Elvis Becirovic
  • Patent number: 10487921
    Abstract: An overhead-cam internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a drive wheel rotatable by the crankshaft, a cylinder head, a driven wheel rotatable by the drive wheel, and a camshaft provided within the cylinder head, the camshaft being rotatable by the driven wheel. A flexible drive member extends around the drive wheel and the driven wheel such that power from the crankshaft for rotating the camshaft is transmitted through the flexible drive member. A pair of guide members are positioned to guide a path of the flexible drive member that increases an amount of peripheral wrap of the flexible drive member about the driven wheel. The guide members have co-facing inboard guide surfaces that partially define the path. A tensioner is positioned between the co-facing inboard guide surfaces, and the tensioner is operable to exert a pulling force that increases tension in the flexible drive member during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventor: Johann Voges
  • Patent number: 10309497
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning an endless drive member that is engaged with a rotary drive member on a shaft of a motive device. The tensioner includes a base that is mountable to the motive device, a ring that is rotatably supported by the base in surrounding relationship with the shaft of the motive device and which is rotatable about a ring axis, a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to the ring for pivotal movement about an arm pivot axis, and first and second tensioner pulleys. The first tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm is biased towards a first span of the endless drive member on one side of the rotary drive member. The second tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the ring and is biased towards a second span of the endless drive member on another side of the rotary drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Ingo Walter
  • Patent number: 10029695
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying degradation of a belt-driven integrated starter generator (BISG) active belt tensioner coupled to a vehicle engine. By using the monitored change in FEAD load to compare the actual state of the tensioner (either in retracted or extended state) relative to the commanded state, the presence of excess belt tension may be distinguished from the presence of insufficient belt tension. Timely diagnosis of a belt tensioner may be improve belt health and extend fuel economy benefits of a BISG system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, John Eric Rollinger, David Lew, David Spuller, Veronica Pablo Osorio
  • Patent number: 10017204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus. The electric power steering apparatus includes: a rack housing including a sliding recess that is formed between a motor coupling hole in which a motor pulley is mounted and a ball nut coupling hole in which a nut pulley is mounted, the sliding recess being formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction where a belt is mounted; and a tension adjusting member including a central shaft one end of which is inserted into the sliding recess, a connection member coupled to another end of the central shaft, a pair of rollers coupled to opposite ends of the connection member to tighten opposite sides of an outer peripheral face of the belt, the central shaft being slid along the sliding recess to adjust the tension of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyoung Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 10011325
    Abstract: A derailleur system is provided that moves the derailleur cage in a substantially rectilinear path. The derailleur is mounted to a frame having a gear cassette mounted thereon. The gear cassette includes an axis of rotation. The derailleur includes a drive member engaging the gear cassette. The derailleur is positioned on the frame adjacent the gear cassette, and including a spatial linkage having a stationary link, a floating link, and a cage assembly having two pulleys each defining an axis of rotation. The drive member engages each of the pulleys. The path of the floating link is substantially linear through substantially its entire range of motion and variously aligns at least one of the pulleys with the gear cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Yeti Cycling, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Zawistowski
  • Patent number: 9995374
    Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry D. Anstey, Daniel E. Derscheid
  • Patent number: 9976634
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a base aperture, the base aperture disposed to receive a driven component, a rotary arm pivotally engaged with the base, an axis of rotation of the rotary arm aligned with a base aperture center, a first pulley journalled to the rotary arm, a swing arm pivotally engaged with the rotary arm about a shaft, the shaft and swing arm each having cooperating frustoconical portions, a torsion spring biasing the pivot arm, a second pulley journalled to the swing arm, a bushing having a frustoconical portion in frictional engagement with the swing arm frustoconical portion, the bushing in fixed relation to the shaft or pivot arm, and a first damping ring frictionally engaged between the rotary arm and the base, a Belleville spring in pressing engagement whereby a normal force is applied to the first damping ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Volker Leucht, Arnaud Martinez, Jochen Dilthey
  • Patent number: 9950634
    Abstract: An overhead cable management for charging an electric vehicle employs a reel which receives a cable with an EV connector. A drive assembly employs a bi-positionable clutch and a gear assembly which sequentially engages a drive gear for the reel to unwind the cable from an overhead position to an ADA height, allow the cable and connector to be extended to connect with the EV and to wind the cable until a locked home position is obtained. The cable management is incorporated into an EVSE which is ceiling mounted, or an EVSE which is mounted to a pole or a wall. Numerous modules and features are optionally employed in connection with the operation of the cable management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Bianco, John Fahy, David B. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9920819
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a first pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a first pulley journalled to the first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a second pulley journalled to the second pivot arm, a flexible tensile member having a toothed engagement with the first pivot arm and a toothed engagement with the second pivot arm whereby the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm move in a coordinated manner, and a tensioner assembly pivotally engaged to the base and engaged with the flexible tensile member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Dean Schneider
  • Patent number: 9890837
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a first pivot arm having a first pulley journalled thereto, a second pivot arm having a second pulley journalled thereto, a frustoconical base having a base vertex, a frustoconical pivot shaft having a pivot shaft vertex, the base vertex is oriented opposite the pivot shaft vertex on a common axis, the first pivot arm disposed for pivoting movement about the frustoconical pivot shaft, the second pivot arm disposed for pivoting movement about the frustoconical base, a first bushing damping movement of the first pivot arm on the frustoconical pivot shaft, a second bushing damping movement of the second pivot arm on the frustoconical base, and a spring in compression urging engagement of the first pivot arm with the frustoconical pivot shaft and the second pivot arm with the frustoconical base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arnaud Martinez, Enrico Wick, Volker Leucht
  • Patent number: 9810296
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device comprises a base member having an attachment portion and an opening for a drive shaft; first and second tensioning arms that are pivotably supported by first and second bearings on the base member around first and second pivot axes and have first and second tensioning rollers 5, 7. A spring arrangement pretensions the two tensioning arms in a circumferential direction towards each other; wherein the spring arrangement has at least one bow-shaped spring that has a circumferential extension of less than 360° around the first and the second pivot axis; wherein the at least one bow-shaped spring has first and second support portions that are supported on the first and second tensioning arm as well as a spring portion extending between the first and second support portion; wherein the at least one bow-shaped spring has an axial length in the area of the first and the second support portion which is axially shorter than a total axial length of the bow-shaped spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Simon Pfeifer, Joachim Jud, Stefan Schattenberg, Jan Rueenauver
  • Patent number: 9759293
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Ryeland, Ron Farewell, Andrew M. Boyes, Thelma Neudorf, Jason R. Desouza-Coelho, John Antchak
  • Patent number: 9709137
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning an endless drive member that is engaged with a rotary drive member on a shaft of a motive device. The tensioner includes a base that is mountable to the motive device, a ring that is rotatably supported by the base in surrounding relationship with the shaft of the motive device and which is rotatable about a ring axis, a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to the ring for pivotal movement about an arm pivot axis, and first and second tensioner pulleys. The first tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm is biased towards a first span of the endless drive member on one side of the rotary drive member. The second tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the ring and is biased towards a second span of the endless drive member on another side of the rotary drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Ingo Walter
  • Patent number: 9551402
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device for a belt drive which comprises a driving machine with a driving belt pulley drivable by a driveshaft around a driving axis, and a plurality of further belt pulleys and with an infinite belt which is wrapped around the driving belt pulley and the further belt pulleys wherein the belt tensioning device comprises a housing in which two tensioning arms are supported so as to be pivotable around a common pivot axis, in which tensioning arms there are supported tensioning rollers with axes of rotation extending parallel to the driving axis, wherein the tensioning arms are supported relative to one another by spring means, wherein, with the driving belt pulley mounted at the driving machine, the housing can be mounted in that, in an annular region surrounding the driveshaft of the driving belt pulley, the housing is contact-free relative to the driving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Muhr Und Bender KG
    Inventors: Joachim Jud, Manfred Jung
  • Patent number: 9523415
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device for a belt drive having at least one apparatus with a housing, a driveshaft and a belt pulley, as well as an infinite belt for driving the belt pulley. The belt tensioning device includes a base that can be or is firmly connected to the apparatus, exactly one tensioning arm that, relative to the base, is supported so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis and that, via a torsion spring, is supported in the circumferential direction against the base. The belt tensioning device also includes a tensioning roller that, at the tensioning arm, is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation and serves to tension the belt. When the belt tensioning device is mounted at the apparatus, the pivot axis of the tensioning arm is arranged inside the outer diameter of the belt pulley of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Stefan Schauerte, Joachim Jud, Simon Pfeifer, Manfred Jung
  • Patent number: 9409296
    Abstract: A method for assisting in the control of a collaborative robot is provided, comprising a grasping member capable of holding a part at a grasping point, by an operator acting on control means disposed on the part at at least one holding point, the assistance method allowing the robot to execute a plurality of types of assistance, corresponding to a plurality of predetermined characteristic movements of the grasping member, comprises at least: a first step of detecting the intention of the operator determining the intention of the operator to execute a predetermined type of assistance from an analysis of haptic data of the operator; and a second step of determining the commands that the robot must execute as a function of the detected intention in order to provide the appropriate assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Julie Dumora, Franck Geffard
  • Patent number: 9341243
    Abstract: In one aspect, a tensioner is provided, comprising, a first tensioner arm and a second tensioner arm, a first wheel and a second wheel. The first tensioner arm is pivotable about a first pivot axis. The second tensioner arm is pivotally connected to the first arm so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis located at a selected distance from the first pivot axis. The first wheel is rotationally connected to the first tensioner arm about a first rotation axis. The second wheel is rotationally connected to the second tensioner arm about a second rotation axis. The first and second wheels are configured to engage an endless drive member. The first and second wheels are biased in respective first and second free arm directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Boris Replete, Ron Farewell, Andrew M. Boyes, Ingo Walter, Joern Adam
  • Patent number: 9273759
    Abstract: A chain guide having excellent durability is provided. The chain guide includes a guide base arranged along a portion of an outer periphery of a chain for transmitting torque and elongated in the direction in which the chain travels; a plurality of roller shafts attached to the guide base so as to be spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the chain travels; and rollers rotatably supported by the respective roller shafts. The distance between the centers of each adjacent pair of the rollers is set to be shorter in the area where a larger load is applied to the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Shinji Oishi
  • Patent number: 9261170
    Abstract: A chain guide is provided by which a chain can be guided silently. The chain guide includes: a guide base arranged along a portion of the outer periphery of a chain for transmitting torque and elongated in the direction in which the chain travels; a plurality of roller shafts spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the guide base; and a plurality of rollers for guiding the chain. The rollers are rotatably supported by the respective roller shafts. The rollers guide the chain by rolling. An arrangement interval between each adjacent pair of the rollers is set such that any two of the pins by which pieces of the chain are joined together do not pass any two of the rollers at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Shinji Oishi
  • Patent number: 9182015
    Abstract: A tensioning device (11) for a traction mechanism drive (1) which is arranged on an internal combustion engine and includes a drive wheel (3) arranged on a drive shaft (30) of an engine (4), one or more additional driving wheels (5, 6), and a continuously revolving traction element (2), which wraps around the drive wheel and additional driving wheels. The tensioning device has two tensioning arms (13, 14) having tensioning wheels (9, 10) mounted thereon, which apply a tensioning force to the traction element in front of and behind the drive wheel in the direction of revolution, and is provided with a spring (16) generating the tensioning force, and a tensioner housing (12), which movably mounts at least one of the tensioning arms to which the force of the spring means is applied. The tensioner housing is mounted on the engine pivotably about the axis (29) of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mack, Andrea Reichert, Christian Hauck, Bernd Hartmann, Hans Bauer
  • Patent number: 9140338
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a first pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a first pulley journalled to the first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a second pulley journalled to the second pivot arm, a flexible tensile member having a toothed engagement with the first pivot arm and a toothed engagement with the second pivot arm whereby the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm move in a coordinated manner, and a tensioner assembly pivotally engaged to the base and engaged with the flexible tensile member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Dean Schneider
  • Patent number: 9133762
    Abstract: A drive belt tensioner for mounting to a motor-generator unit comprises a tensioner pulley support having a centrally located pivot defining a pivot axis and first and second reaction arms extending outwardly from the centrally located pivot to define an angle therebetween. Tensioner pulleys are rotatably mounted to the second ends of each of the first and second reaction arms. The reaction arms are configured to flexibly bias the tensioner pulleys when engaged by a drive belt force to maintain a desired drive belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Maguire, William C. Deneszczuk
  • Patent number: 9115787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight and inexpensive chain guide that has little mechanical loss. The chain guide comprises: a plurality of rollers (2) which make contact with a chain; a chain guide base (10) which supports the plurality of the rollers (2) disposed along a direction of travel of the chain, and a plurality of shafts (3) attached to the chain guide base (10) at predetermined intervals along the direction of travel of the chain. Each of the rollers (2) includes a rolling-element bearing portion constituted of a cylindrical outer ring main body (20) encompassing an outer circumferential face of the shaft (3), and a plurality of rolling elements (21) disposed between the outer circumferential face of the shaft and an inner circumferential face of the outer ring main body (20). The outer ring main body (20) is supported on the chain guide base (10) via the shaft (3) so as to be in rolling contact with the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Kato
  • Patent number: 9097314
    Abstract: A tensioning device (2) for a starter generator belt drive of an internal combustion engine and a starter generator (1) with such a tensioning device. The tensioning device is to be supported on the machine housing (3, 3?) of the starter generator by a slide bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wolf, Martin Rauch, Christian Hauck, Bernd Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20140378254
    Abstract: A chain guide is provided which reduces moving resistance of a camshaft-driving, torque-transmitting timing chain. The chain guide includes a guide base (21) provided on one side of the timing chain (5) to face the timing chain and having an opposed pair of side plates (22). The side plates support the respective ends of roller shafts (31) each rotatably supporting a chain-guiding needle roller bearing (41). Each needle roller bearing includes a retainer (43) guided by the needle roller elements (45). With this arrangement, the outer races (42) of the bearings, which guide the movement of the timing chain (5) while kept in rolling contact with the timing chain, encounter less rotational resistance. This in turn reduces moving resistance of the timing chain (5) and thus fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Shinji Oishi