Intermittently Engaged Clutch Patents (Class 74/125.5)
  • Patent number: 11713810
    Abstract: A transmission system efficiently performs efficiently and also provides the ability to perform full-power shifts. For example, a secondary clutch actuator, independent of fluid actuation, may eliminate the need for a pump to continuously provide high pressure during regular vehicle operation such that high pressures are only required during a shift event. This eliminates the need for energy at the pump to maintain application of the clutch, thereby allowing such energy to be used of other systems in the EV or to facilitate increased vehicle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Mock, Jason Ellis, James Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11661916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wave energy harnessing devices including a first movable device configured to translate in response to a level change in a water body, a first float gear configured to rotate in in response to translation of the first movable device, a first input shaft rotatably driven by the first float gear in response to rotation of the first float gear, an output shaft restricted to rotation in a first direction, and a pair of one-way clutches coupled to the first input shaft and the output shaft and configured to operatively couple the first input shaft to the output shaft in response to rotation of the first input shaft either in the first direction or in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LDI CONSULTING INC.
    Inventors: Filippo D. Padula, Michael A. Schwartz, Hugo Freitas Pimentel
  • Patent number: 11333582
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microtome having a cutting knife, an object holder mounted on a slide, the slide being movable relative to the cutting knife in a cutting direction and in a thickness defining direction, movement of the slide in the thickness defining direction being performed by a first electric motor controlled by a control unit, movement of the slide in the cutting direction being performed by a second electric motor controlled by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the movement of the slide in the thickness defining direction and in the cutting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Zheguang Fan, Xiaoqi Jiang, Yunchao Yang, Song Jin, Xiang Liang, Jinyu Xu
  • Patent number: 8695490
    Abstract: A drive unit that is movable between an unfired and a fired position. The drive unit comprises a handle member, a first drive gear having a first axis of rotation, and a second drive gear, engaged to the first drive gear at a mesh point, and having a second axis of rotation. The mesh point moves with respect to the axes of rotation as the handle member moves from the unfired position to the fired position. The drive unit drives an implement only when it is moved from the unfired position to the fired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: E. Mark Harris, Markus Klotz
  • Patent number: 8490507
    Abstract: A rotary swash plate type continuously variable transmission comprises a driving mechanism, an output mechanism and a casing 24. The driving mechanism comprises a rotational swash plate 9 with variable angle of inclination and at least three slide stems which are disposed parallel and equiangular with each other. Each slide stem is equipped with a one-way rotary helical gear 13 at one end, and contacts with and slides on the surface of the swash plate at the other end. The output mechanism comprises a one-way rotational output shaft 16 and a larger helical gear 14 which is disposed on the output shaft 16 and meshed with the helical gears 13. The transmission according to the invention is compact in view of structure and smooth in view of its output rotational speed. Moreover, the minimal rotational speed may be zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Beijing Union University
    Inventor: Jiandong Sun
  • Patent number: 8387475
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission comprises an input shaft and an output shaft, a drive wheel, a toothed wheel or a chain wheel, an endless sleeve, a ring wheel, at least one linking member, wedge teeth or a chain, wherein the drive wheel is provided with an annular recess in which a plurality of reversal wedge teeth run, and the wedge teeth are connected with a head portion of the linking member connected with the ring wheel, the spread of axles between the drive wheel and the ring wheel is adjusted via the swinging of the endless sleeve; and with the aid of the locking and releasing operations of the wedge teeth, the linking members are urged to drive the ring wheel, whereby changing the input and output transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Miu Ling MAK
    Inventors: Yau Cheung Kwok, Miu Ling Mak
  • Patent number: 8181829
    Abstract: A suction and dispensing tool (1) comprises: a cylinder (10) storing the fluid; a nozzle (20); a piston moving forward and backward in the cylinder (10); a piston rod (40) for driving the piston; and two ratchet type driving mechanisms (60) for driving the piston rod (40) forward and backward. The driving mechanism (60) comprises: a frame (50) having a handle (52), mounted to the cylinder (10), and two triggers (80) rotatably attached to the frame (50) at the front and rear sides of the handle (52). By rotating each of the triggers (80) to the handle (52), the piston rod (40) can be moved forward or backward. The rotating operation of the trigger (80) requires power smaller than an operation for directly pushing and drawing the piston rod by hand. Accordingly, it becomes possible to refill and dispense a high viscosity oil easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Sanken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nobusawa
  • Publication number: 20110239874
    Abstract: A drive unit that is movable between an unfired and a fired position. The drive unit comprises a handle member, a first drive gear having a first axis of rotation, and a second drive gear, engaged to the first drive gear at a mesh point, and having a second axis of rotation. The mesh point moves with respect to the axes of rotation as the handle member moves from the unfired position to the fired position. The drive unit drives an implement only when it is moved from the unfired position to the fired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicants: Columbia Insurance Company, Leifheit AG
    Inventors: E. Mark Harris, Markus Klotz
  • Patent number: 7886415
    Abstract: In a machine tool with at least two axes of movement (2, 7) defining, respectively, the mobility of a first function-supporting unit (1) and of a second function-supporting unit (5), only the first function-supporting unit (1) is provided with its own servo drive, while the second function-supporting unit (5) is driven by the movement of the first function-supporting unit (1) through a coupler unit (13) that can be switched between an engaged and a disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventor: Johann Mall
  • Publication number: 20100269605
    Abstract: A transmission utilizing oscillating torque to vary the mechanical power transmitted to a load was previously patented by this inventor (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,096, 6,044,718, and 7,481,127). The transmission has a rotatable input member and a rotatable mass. The transmission also has a member with an eccentric offset, with the rotatable mass rotatably coupled to the offset and being eccentric with respect to the offset. The present invention provides several improvements to the previous patents, including belt or chain for the rotating masses to improve load-carrying capacity and improvements to the control system using inertia control. FIG. 1 shows the fully assembled transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: William Terry Lester
  • Patent number: 7677124
    Abstract: The invention provides a transmission of a vehicle which can smoothly execute shift-up and shift-down operations. The transmission is provided with change gears, a shift member, a change drum, a change shaft rotationally operated at a predetermined angle by a rider, and a change operation force transmitting mechanism transmitting the rotation of the change shaft to the change drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabuhsiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shirou Honma
  • Patent number: 7481127
    Abstract: A transmission utilizes oscillating torque to vary the mechanical power transmitted to a load. The transmission has a rotatable input member and a rotatable mass. The transmission also has a member with an eccentric offset, with the rotatable mass rotatably coupled to the offset and being eccentric with respect to the offset. The input member is coupled to the rotatable mass by a linkage so that the rotation of the input member causes the rotatable mass to rotate and apply centrifugal force to the member with the eccentric offset. First and second one-way clutches are coupled between the eccentric offset member and an output member. The first one-way clutch drives the output member in one direction and the eccentric offset member is driven in the one direction and the second one-way clutch prevents the output member from rotating in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: William T. Lester
  • Publication number: 20080187394
    Abstract: An external control assembly for a quick-release device of a linear actuator comprises a collar and a handle and the purpose of the quick-release device for promptly returning a workpiece driven by the linear actuator can be achieved by implementing the handle to rotate the collar. According to the present invention, the collar has a polygon-shaped out periphery and the handle comprises a assembling hole shaped in a polygon shape corresponding to the out periphery of the collar so that when the handle is mounted onto the out periphery of the collar, a combined motion of simultaneous rotation about the axis of the collar of the handle can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Wen-Chia Tsou
  • Patent number: 6835153
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising an angular velocity input member (12), an angular velocity output member (14), two parallel stages (18, 20) of cyclic angular velocity generating devices (24, 30), a drive arrangement (16) for applying angular velocity from the input member (12) to each of the angular velocity generating devices (24, 30), extraction devices (26, 32) which are each driven by a cyclic angular velocity generating device (24, 30) in each of the two stages (18, 20) means for varying the amplitude of the cyclic angular velocity produced by at least one of the stages (18, 20) and an arrangement (28, 34, 22) for summing and combining the pulsating angular velocity outputs from the extraction devices (26, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Varibox (PTY) Limited
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 6807878
    Abstract: A torque transmission device for providing steplessly variable torque conversion. The torque transmission device has a set of unidirectionally-rotatable, slotted levers radiating from a first axis, capable of engaging a torque output ring which is also rotatable on the first axis. An abaxial ring, which has studs that operate in the slots of the levers, is rotatable on a parallel second axis which can orbit the first axis. Torque input induces the second axis to orbit the first, and the force of orbital motion bears, through the abaxial ring, on at least one lever in a direction opposite its rotatable direction, holding it fixed, and also bears on at least one other lever in a direction that coincides with its rotatable direction, causing it to rotate. The fastest-rotating lever engages and drives the torque output ring. Varying the distance between the first and second axes varies the torque conversion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Nicholas Wren
  • Patent number: 6779415
    Abstract: A constant power mechanical transmission with seamless, ripple free, infinitely variable torque multiplying outputs comprises an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is coupled to a pair of oscillating levers whereby rotation of the input shaft causes oscillation of the oscillating levers in opposite directions. The oscillating levers are linked to the output shaft with one-way clutches in order to cause rotation of the shaft upon movement of the oscillating levers. The rotational speed of the output shaft can be infinitely varied by changing the throw of the oscillating levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Laird B. Gogins
  • Patent number: 6748817
    Abstract: A transmission has only a single, minimal orbiter in which an input gear and an output gear, each being connected to separate input and output shafts, are interconnected through an orbiting cluster gear that meshes with only the input and output gears. The cluster gear is carried by a web that is itself rotated by a hydraulic control motor through a first clutch. When rotation of the web is prevented, rotation of the input gear produces rotation of the output gear at a predetermined reduction of the input drive, this gear reduction being continuously diminished proportional to the speed of rotation of the web in a first direction. When the vehicle reaches highway speeds, the control motor is disconnected and a second clutch is activated to connect a predetermined overdrive that is located between the engine drive and the transmission rather than being conventionally positioned between the transmission and the final output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Torvec, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Gleasman, Keith E. Gleasman, Vernon E. Gleasman
  • Publication number: 20040025611
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising an angular velocity input member (12), an angular velocity output member (14), two parallel stages (18, 20) of cyclic angular velocity generating devices (24, 30), a drive arrangement (16) for applying angular velocity from the input member (12) to each of the angular velocity generating devices (24, 30), extraction devices (26, 32) which are each driven by a cyclic angular velocity generating device (24, 30) in each of the two stages (18, 20) means for varying the amplitude of the cyclic angular velocity produced by at least one of the stages (18, 20) and an arrangement (28, 34, 22) for summing and combining the pulsating angular velocity outputs from the extraction devices (26, 32)
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 6684724
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy step drive mechanism includes at least one shape memory alloy element (1) with a fixed end, the other end being connected to one end of a lever (2). The lever (2) is provided with a pawl (4) which is located to move on the teeth of a ratchet wheel (5) mounted on a main shaft (6) along with the lever (2). A stopper pin (7) is provided which also guides the pawl (4) on the ratchet wheel (5). A bias spring (9) is provided on a mandril on the main shaft (6) for returning the lever (2) to its original position. A detent wheel (8) with at least one detent lever (10) is mounted on the main shaft (6) to provide the detent torque required to hold the main shaft (6) in position when the lever (2) returns to its original position. A pair of support brackets (11) are provided for supporting and holding the various components together in an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Indian Space Research Organization
    Inventors: Viswanatha Narasimhiah, Murali Parathasarathy Iyengar Talkao
  • Publication number: 20030154809
    Abstract: A transmission has only a single, minimal orbiter in which an input gear and an output gear, each being connected to separate input and output shafts, are interconnected through an orbiting cluster gear that meshes with only the input and output gears. The cluster gear is carried by a web that is itself rotated by a hydraulic control motor through a first clutch. When rotation of the web is prevented, rotation of the input gear produces rotation of the output gear at a predetermined reduction of the input drive, this gear reduction being continuously diminished proportional to the speed of rotation of the web in a first direction. When the vehicle reaches highway speeds, the control motor is disconnected and a second clutch is activated to connect a predetermined overdrive that is located between the engine drive and the transmission rather than being conventionally positioned between the transmission and the final output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Gleasman, Keith E. Gleasman, Vernon E. Gleasman
  • Patent number: 6425301
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed to change an input rotational velocity along a continuous spectrum using an eccentrically positioned cam cooperating with a counterweight assembly to counteract the imbalance generated by the eccentric cam. A plurality of cam followers in contact with the cam actuate crankshafts that drive planetary gears disposed about the crankshaft and cooperate with overrunning clutches. The overrunning clutch with the highest instantaneous velocity drives a sun gear connected to an output shaft. The velocity of the output shaft is governed by the eccentricity of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Howard D. Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 6404645
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for containing and supporting electronic components during electrical connection are described. The apparatus is a housing which includes a main body, a cover and a back member. A base is attached to the back member. The base includes sockets in a grid pattern. Movable elements having protrusions for insertion into the sockets are mounted on the base to provide support to a circuit board, which itself is attached to the base through mounting studs and guide posts. The moveable elements can be relocated on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chris M. Helmstetter, Jason A. Kay, David S. Kerr, Ronald Marchisin, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 6269568
    Abstract: A decoration with a variable billboard including a decorative hollow base seat in which an energy reserving device is disposed. The energy reserving device includes a coil spring and a handle disposed at the center of the coil spring. The handle extends out of the base seat. A billboard is disposed on a top face of the base seat. Multiple parallel triangular columns are rotatably disposed in a frame of the billboard. A mandrel of each triangular column extends into the base seat. A driven gear is disposed at a bottom end of the mandrel. Each face of the triangular column is printed with a predetermined picture. The coil spring drives an intermittently rotating mechanism to operate and make a click drive a ratchet to intermittently rotate through 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Single-Tree Art Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 6247308
    Abstract: Motion-converter apparatus for converting bidirectional rotary movements to unidirectional rotary movements includes: an input shaft for inputting the bidirectional rotary movements; an output shaft for outputting the unidirectional rotary movements, the output shaft having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the input shaft; a drive bevel gear coaxial with, and driven bidirectionally by, the input shaft; a pair of driven bevel gears coaxial with the output shaft and meshing with the drive bevel gear on opposite sides of the axis of the drive bevel gear so as to be driven bidirectionally thereby but in opposite directions with respect to the output shaft; and a pair of one-way clutches coupling the driven bevel gears to the output shaft such that both one-way clutches are effective to drive the output shaft only in one direction. Various applications of such apparatus are also described, including wave and tide motors, wind turbines and bidirectional-movement measuring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Worldwide Solutions Company, LLC
    Inventor: Yedidia Solell
  • Publication number: 20010001372
    Abstract: A variable-ratio transmission device. A first translational member is pivotally intercoupled to a first rotational member by at least one connecting arm. The connecting arm has a first portion pivotally connected to the first translational member at a first pivot point, and a second portion pivotally and adjustably connected to the first rotational member at a first radial attachment point removed from the center of rotation of the first rotational member. The first radial attachment point and the center of rotation thereby define a first attachment radius. The location of the first radial attachment point with respect to the first rotational member is variable to thereby increase and decrease the first attachment radius, which in turn modifies a ratio of movement between the first rotational member and the first translational member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventor: Bret J. Park
  • Patent number: 6212964
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flexible link drive apparatus. The flexible link drive apparatus comprises a housing that supports an input shaft and an output shaft. An eccentric is located on the input shaft, and a clutch is located on the output shaft. The present disclosure further comprises an adjustable flexible member that has a fixed end coupled to the housing through an adjustable flexible member wherein the eccentric on the input shaft deflects the adjustable flexible member to alter a degree of rotation of the clutch located on the output shaft. The present disclosure additionally relates to a method of providing variable speed power transmission by a flexible link drive apparatus. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing that supports an input shaft and an output shaft. Further, the method comprises the steps of deflecting an adjustable flexible member by an eccentric located on the input shaft which alters a degree of rotation of a clutch located on the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Zero-Max, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle J. Gerads, Robert Fetrow, Kevin Dodds