Electric Patents (Class 188/158)
  • Patent number: 11738735
    Abstract: A method for warning sufficiency of a parking braking force may include operating a parking pedal or parking lever mounted on a vehicle; confirming a brake state of the vehicle; measuring a slope of the place where the vehicle is located; calculating an actual parking braking force of the vehicle and a required parking braking force of the vehicle; and determining whether the actual parking braking force is smaller than the required parking braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hwi-Bong Chang
  • Patent number: 11731593
    Abstract: A locking unit for the parking brake of an automatic transmission, for locking the movement of a piston which can be moved by a drive, wherein a guiding element presses catch elements radially outward and a magnetic element for sensing the position of the guiding element is connected to the guiding element. A locking device for the parking brake of an automatic transmission, wherein a piston is locked with catch elements which are guided by a guiding element which in two end positions presses different catch elements radially outwardly in each case for locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SVM Schultz Verwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Hölzle, Ralph Wassermann, Wolfgang Schütz
  • Patent number: 11708900
    Abstract: A parking lock includes a locking pawl (2) and an interlocking element (6) arranged on a connecting bar (5) to a selector lever (4). The end of the connecting bar (5) facing away from the interlocking element (6) is articulatedly connected to the selector lever (4). A hydraulically actuatable actuator (10) includes two pistons (11, 12) provided for disengaging the parking lock. During normal operation, a detent device (13), which is actuatable by an electromagnet (13a), locks the first piston (11) in a piston position corresponding to an engaged condition (P_ein) or a disengaged condition (P_aus). Without requiring activating the electromagnet (13a) to release the detent device (13), the parking lock, during normal operation, is manually disengagable with an emergency disengagement device (15) acting upon the second piston (12) and is manually engagable with an emergency engagement device (16) acting upon the detent device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Sebastian Deeg, Dirk Leutheuser, Tobias Miller, Arthur Strehlau, Julia Klein, Matthias List, Armin Gierling
  • Patent number: 11661987
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, for analyzing and managing data generated by a sensor-equipped braking system for vehicles, comprising a support element a block of friction material, at least one sensor interposed between the block of friction material and the support element, comprising at least one central control unit capable of receiving in real time from the sensor means at least the basic data related to one or more of the pressure of the activated braking system, the temperature of the activated braking system, the braking torque, the residual braking torque when the braking system is deactivated, and the wear on the braking system during and after activation thereof. The system can also include one or more auxiliary sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
  • Patent number: 11603188
    Abstract: A landing gear system includes a wheel rotatably coupled to the axle about an axis. A motor is fixedly positioned relative to the axle with a clutch assembly operably coupled to an output shaft of the motor. The landing gear includes an actuator and a drive assembly. The actuator applies a braking force to the wheel. The drive assembly includes a pinion gear and a drive gear rotatably associated with the pinion gear. The drive gear is configured to transfer a rotational force to the wheel in order to provide autonomous taxiing capability. Both the brake assembly and the drive assembly are operably coupled to the clutch assembly so that the output shaft of the motor drives both the brake assembly and the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Robert Kyle Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11518361
    Abstract: Provided is an electric braking device wherein a friction member is pressed, via a piston driven by an electric motor, against a rotary member that rotates integrally with a vehicle wheel, thus generating a braking force on the vehicle wheel. The electric braking device is provided with: a controller for controlling the electric motor; a rotation angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the electric motor; and a return mechanism for applying a return force to a piston in a direction away from the rotary member. Furthermore, the controller executes a proper/improper determination to determine whether the return mechanism is operating properly on the basis of a change in the rotation angle after conduction of electricity to the electric motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shun Tsukamoto, Shinichiro Yukoku
  • Patent number: 11518349
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) is disclosed. The ECU may detect an emergency stopping event associated with a vehicle. The ECU may determine, based on detecting the emergency stopping event, that electro-hydraulic brakes of the vehicle are in a disabled mode. The ECU may determine, based on determining that the electro-hydraulic brakes are in the disabled mode, a position of a brake pedal of the vehicle. The ECU may override, based on the position of the brake pedal, the disabled mode to engage the electro-hydraulic brakes during the emergency stopping event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James McKnight, James L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 11447109
    Abstract: A control method of an electrical braking system for aircraft includes a plurality of electromechanical actuators capable of applying a braking force on friction members. Each electromechanical actuator includes an electric motor equipped with one or more windings. The braking system further includes at least one power module configured to send to each electric motor winding a phase current and at least one control module configured to control, in response to a braking setpoint, the sending by the power module of a setpoint phase current determined depending on the braking force to be applied. The method further includes the variation of the phase current transmitted to each winding of the electric motor so as to cause the phase current to oscillate around the setpoint phase current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Olivier Frey
  • Patent number: 11312343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle control unit. The control unit comprises a first processor system, which is designed to control an actuator of an electric parking brake and at least one additional motor vehicle function unit. A second processor system of the control unit is designed to control the at least one actuator in an at least partially redundant manner to the first processor system. Furthermore, there is a changeover device, which is designed to enable an activation of the at least one actuator either via the first processor system or the second processor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Alfter, Stefan Grieser-Schmitz
  • Patent number: 11286131
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energizing circuit of at least one magnetizing coil of an operational brake, the energizing circuit being configured for energizing the magnetizing coil, which energizing circuit comprises a rectifying bridge connected to the supply network, the output terminals of the rectifying bridge being connectable/connected to the input points of the magnetizing coil, characterized in that the energizing circuit comprises at least one reduced voltage circuit or external DC supply, whose outputs are connectable via to the to the input points of the magnetizing coil via a controllable operation switch of the energizing circuit. The patent application also comprises claims for a passenger conveyor and for a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: Arto Nakari
  • Patent number: 11179590
    Abstract: A constant resistance exercise machine for sprint training or adaptation into exercise equipment having cyclical movements, preferably over a distance. The constant resistance exercise machine includes an exercise cable storage and feed reel, a constant tension spring motor, a resistance generating assembly, a flywheel, and an exercise cable. The constant tension spring motor is in operational communication with the exercise cable reel. The flywheel obtains a rotational resistance from the resistance generating assembly. The flywheel is in unidirectional rotational communication with the exercise cable reel via a one-way clutch bearing. The exercise cable is coiled about the exercise cable reel. The exercise cable is of a length that enables complete extraction of the cable from the exercise cable storage and feed reel and wherein the constant tension spring motor is arranged to retract a partially or completely extracted cable back onto the exercise cable reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Paul James Nicholas
  • Patent number: 10903715
    Abstract: An assembly that includes a main housing. A motor is supported in a motor housing that is supported in the main housing. The motor has an output shaft and a locking mechanism. The motor is adapted to generate a first rotational direction torque and a second rotational direction torque. The motor is adapted to transfer the first rotational direction torque and the second rotational direction torque to a destination via the output shaft. The locking mechanism is adapted to prevent the output shaft from back driving in the second rotational direction after the first rotational direction torque has been transferred to the destination. The motor housing is adapted to rotate in the main housing to unlock the locking mechanism so that the second rotational direction torque can be transferred to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Galus Chelaidite, Brian Lewis Boyle, Carla Thomas
  • Patent number: 10850715
    Abstract: A towed vehicle braking system is described that in some embodiments includes a brake pedal connector configured to connect to a brake pedal of a brake of a towed vehicle. A brake drive system is connected to the brake pedal connector to actuate the brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal connector by applying a positive pressure to the brake pedal connector to move the brake pedal. A voltage detector is coupled to a battery of the towed vehicle to detect the voltage at the battery and an ON/OFF circuit is coupled to the voltage detector to turn off the brake drive system in response to the detected voltage being above a predetermined voltage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel L. Decker, Jr., Jerad M. Burkhart, Eric K. Becker
  • Patent number: 10759401
    Abstract: A brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle which is pulled by a towing vehicle comprises a sensor assembly which determines the position of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle, and if necessary, compensates for inertia which can affect the output of some sensors. The output of the sensor assembly is transmitted to a processor, which in turn transmits a signal (the strength of which is a function of the pedal position) to brakes of the towed vehicle to activate the brakes of the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 10734881
    Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a brake drum, a magnet retention ring, and a switch mechanism. The brake drum is fixed to a rotating shaft. The magnet retention ring is arranged inside the drum and retains magnets at regular intervals entirely in a circumferential direction such that the magnets face the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The switch mechanism includes switch plates that switch, during braking, to a state in which magnetic circuits develop between the magnets and the drum, and switch, during non-braking, to a state in which no magnetic circuits develop. Protrusions are provided on an end face of the drum at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction. Electricity generating coils are provided in a non-rotating part of a vehicle at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction such that the electricity generating coils face the regions of the end face of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Imanishi, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Shotaro Kadokawa, Takuya Fujita, Hiroshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 10683188
    Abstract: During normal operation of a textile machine, a fiber bundle is supplied to a consolidating means to produce a roving having a protective twist, the roving wound onto a tube with a winding device. The roving downstream of the consolidating means is monitored for whether the roving is being produced by the consolidating means or whether the roving produced by the consolidating means is being wound onto the tube. In no roving is being produced or the roving produced by the consolidating means is not being wound onto the tube, an interruption of the normal operation of the textile machine is initiated and the tube partly loaded with roving by the winding device prior to the interruption is replaced with an empty tube during a tube changing process. The consolidating means is started up and the roving produced thereby is brought into contact with the empty tube. Normal operation is resumed and the roving is wound onto the empty tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
    Inventor: Christian Griesshammer
  • Patent number: 10632980
    Abstract: A method for releasing a first electric motor-actuated brake device for a vehicle includes actuating a second brake device for the vehicle in a clamping direction with a first brake device in a clamped state in order to produce a predetermined clamping force on a brake piston that is associated with the first brake device and the second brake device in common. The method further includes actuating the first brake device in a release direction before the second brake device reaches the predetermined clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Wolff, Andreas Englert
  • Patent number: 10632335
    Abstract: A magnetically-controlled damping device has a fixing disk, a rotating disk, a plurality of friction-proof sleeves, a plurality of brake shoes, a plurality of magnets, an elastic element, and an operating element. The rotating disk has a plurality of guiding rods sleeved by the friction-proof sleeves respectively. By adjusting a distance between the magnets and a rotating wheel, a damping value of the magnetically-controlled damping device can be adjusted. Moreover, since the friction-proof sleeves are between the guiding rods and the guiding grooves, the guiding rods do not wear out. The magnetically-controlled damping device can provide a more stable damping value and a longer service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Yi-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 10619737
    Abstract: A park pawl assembly for use in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, including: a park pawl member comprising a raised tooth structure disposed at an end thereof, wherein the raised tooth structure is configured to selectively engage a corresponding recessed structure of an output gear, thereby selectively preventing rotation of the output gear; a linkage physically contacting the end of the park pawl member and configured to selectively bias the raised tooth structure of the park pawl member into the recessed structure of the output gear; a control arm physically coupled to the linkage and configured to selectively actuate the linkage; a first sensor component coupled to and configured to sense actuation of one or more of the linkage and the control arm; and a second sensor component coupled to and configured to sense actuation of the park pawl member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Electricfil Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Clark, Mengying Luo
  • Patent number: 10525588
    Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOCIETE DE COMMERCIALISATION DES PRODUITS DE LA RECHERCHE APPLIQUEE SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GENIE S.E.C.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Plante, Marc Denninger, Patrick Chouinard, Guifre Julio, Joel Viau, Pascal Larose
  • Patent number: 10527411
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic brake which is switched between an operative braking position and an inoperative position by transient pulses of current. It is held passively in the operative and inoperative positions with little or no current. This prevents the generation of heat, which would affect the accuracy of measurements where the brake is used in dimensional measuring equipment. In one form, permanent and semi-permanent magnets are arranged in parallel, and the magnetic polarity of the arrangement is flipped by transient current pulses in a surrounding coil. A capacitor may provide a reservoir of current to activate the brake in the event of a power supply failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Jack Colebrooke, Kevin Cullivan
  • Patent number: 10495168
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, for analyzing and managing data generated by a sensor-equipped braking system for vehicles, comprising a support element a block of friction material, at least one sensor interposed between the block of friction material and the support element, comprising at least one central control unit capable of receiving in real time from the sensor means at least the basic data related to one or more of the pressure of the activated braking system, the temperature of the activated braking system, the braking torque, the residual braking torque when the braking system is deactivated, and the wear on the braking system during and after activation thereof. The system can also include one or more auxiliary sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
  • Patent number: 10486672
    Abstract: The pneumatic braking system comprises a pneumatic circuit for supplying a pneumatic braking pressure to at least one brake cylinder, and includes a pneumatic solenoid charging valve and a pneumatic solenoid discharge valve adapted to cause an increase and a reduction, respectively, of the pneumatic pressure acting upon the at least one brake cylinder, the solenoid valves being controlled by an electronic braking control unit; a solenoid brake release valve adapted to cause, when energized, a complete discharge of the pneumatic pressure applied to the at least one brake cylinder, independently of the conditions of the solenoid charging and discharge valves; and an electric emergency line on which in normal operation there is a voltage which drops when emergency braking is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Tione, Andrea Cavazzin
  • Patent number: 10487886
    Abstract: A shift element (4) for an automatic transmission having a hydraulically actuable piston; at least one hydraulic duct (10); an axially movable first shift element half (3, 7) operatively connected to the piston; a second shift element half (8); a bearing carrier (9); a ring-shaped component (1); and a Hall sensor (6) in the bearing carrier (9). The first shift element half (3) has a notch-like encoder contour (5) for the Hall sensor (6). The ring-shaped component (1) is composed of a non-magnetic material transparent to the Hall sensor (6). The ring-shaped component (1) is designed and arranged on the outer diameter of the first shift element half (3), such that an air gap between the notch-like encoder contour (5) and the Hall sensor (6) is filled by the ring-shaped component (1), and hydraulic oil flows in the remaining region along the circumference of the first shift element half (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Baur, Peter Tiesler
  • Patent number: 10457263
    Abstract: When detecting a maladjusted brake component on a commercial vehicle, wheel end temperature is determined as a function of resistance measured by a wheel speed sensor at a wheel end. The measured temperature is compared to low and high temperature thresholds defined by a thermal model, as well as to one or more other wheel speed sensor temperatures. If the measured temperature is below the low temperature threshold and substantially different than the one or more other wheel speed sensors, the brake is determined to be under-adjusted and brake force at the under-adjusted brake is increased. If the measured temperature is above the high temperature threshold and substantially different than the one or more other wheel speed sensors, then the brake is determined to be over-adjusted, and brake force is reduced or modulated at the over-adjusted brake to prevent overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Miller, Jr., Joseph M. Macnamara, James E. Szudy
  • Patent number: 10444288
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnosing device diagnoses a driving abnormality of a single motor driven by a plurality of motor driving devices. The plurality of motor driving devices calculate a plurality of voltage command values based on a speed command, and voltages are applied to a plurality of windings possessed by the motor based on the plurality of calculated voltage command values, thereby driving the motor. The abnormality diagnosing device is equipped with a command value difference calculating unit for calculating a difference between the plurality of voltage command values calculated by the plurality of motor driving devices, and a determination unit for determining the presence of an abnormality, when an absolute value of the difference calculated exceeds a first threshold value continuously for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Morita, Kenji Takahashi, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 10435001
    Abstract: In order to provide a hydraulic actuating system for actuating a parking lock of a motor vehicle, which hydraulic actuating system manages with as few components as possible which are simple, robust, relatively insusceptible to faults and inexpensive, with a simultaneously low installation space requirement, and the hydraulic layout of which hydraulic actuating system makes a simple actuation and a simple movement possible for locking and unlocking the parking lock, it is provided that a pumping device which can operate bidirectionally with a locking delivery direction and with a releasing delivery direction is used as pumping device, and check valves are arranged in the hydraulic circuit in such a way that, by way of actuation of the pumping device in the locking delivery direction, the parking lock moves into the locked position and, upon actuation of the pumping device in the releasing delivery direction, the parking lock moves into the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Reinhard Möhlmann, Sascha Miebach
  • Patent number: 10358122
    Abstract: An electric-motor-operated parking brake system carries out metered actuation without a force and travel sensor. A control unit initiates a primary tensioning process with observation of the current, and wherein secondary or tertiary tensioning processes with increased brake application force are executed exclusively automatically by the control unit if monitoring of the stationary state during an energization interval detects an undesired vehicle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Heinz-Anton Schneider, Christof Maron
  • Patent number: 10343662
    Abstract: This brake device system includes a plurality of brake devices mounted to a vehicle, each brake device including a brake rotor, a friction pad, friction pad driving assembly, and a control device. The control device is provided with: braking/stoppage determination section configured to cause the friction pad to come into contact with the brake rotor of each brake device, and determine whether or not the vehicle is braking or being kept stopped; and heat conduction suppressing section configured to, when the braking/stoppage determination section has determined that the vehicle is braking or being kept stopped, reduce the braking force of a part of the plurality of brake devices, thereby to reduce heat conductivity of brake friction heat to the friction pad driving assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yui Masuda
  • Patent number: 10316969
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) includes a parking lock valve (2). The electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) is configured such that, during normal operation of the electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) in which at least one electrohydraulic pressure adjuster (EDSSYS) is actuatable with current, the parking lock valve (2) can be held in a defined operating state in which an actuation pressure (p_sys) acts on a parking lock cylinder (3) above a normal pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Patent number: 10309471
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric caliper brake. Then electric caliper brake which includes a carrier provided with a pair of pad plates movably with respect to a disk, and a caliper housing slidably installed on the carrier and provided with a cylinder in which a piston is movably provided by braking oil pressure, includes a spindle member which is installed to penetrate a rear portion of the cylinder and rotates by receiving a rotational force from an actuator, and a power converting unit including a nut member which is screwed with the spindle member and is disposed in the piston, moves forward and backward in accordance with the rotation of the spindle member so as to press the piston; a filling member coupled to the nut member in the piston; and an anti-rotation surface provided on at least one plane on an outer circumferential surface of the filling member so that the filling member is coupled to the piston in a limited rotation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyung-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10260582
    Abstract: A method for maintaining a brake system in a vehicle with a hydraulic vehicle brake and an electromechanical brake device with an electric brake motor includes preparing the brake system for maintenance operations by actuating the electric brake motor to displace a transmission member into a retracted position that is remote from a brake starting position in which a brake lining is located adjacent to a brake disk of the wheel brake device. The method further includes actuating the electric brake motor to displace the transmission member in the direction of the brake starting position after completion of the maintenance operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Blattert, Edith Mannherz, Frank Baehrle-Miller, Helmut Wolff
  • Patent number: 10253834
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake is configured to detect a change in motor characteristics through a parking mechanism added to an existing electromechanical brake. Particularly, the electromechanical brake controls braking force by predicting a change in motor characteristics even in the event of a breakdown of a force sensor or even in a case in which no force sensor is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Joung Hee Lee, Jong Yun Jeong, Dong Yoon Hyun
  • Patent number: 10246071
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure generating device includes a base body, a master cylinder provided on the base body and configured to generate a brake hydraulic pressure by a first piston connected to a brake operating element, a housing attached to the base body, a control board contained in the housing, a stroke sensor configured to detect an amount of movement of the first piston; and a detection object member which is detected by the stroke sensor. The housing has a facing wall portion provided so as to face the base body. The stroke sensor is provided inside the housing on the opposite side of the facing wall portion to the base body, and is electrically connected to the control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Motoyasu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10218232
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided which includes a rotor disk extending along a radial direction and having a rotor flange attached to or formed integrally with the rotor disk and extending substantially along the axial direction. A plurality of rotor magnets are mounted on the rotor disk and positioned against the rotor flange. The electric machine includes a stator assembly including a tracking tooth in magnetic flux communication with the rotor magnets across an air gap. The stator assembly further includes an actuator operable with the tracking tooth to move the tracking tooth along the radial direction to adjust a height of the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Alan Niergarth, Brandon Wayne Miller, Paul Robert Gemin
  • Patent number: 10207692
    Abstract: A parking brake arrangement for a brake unit—also having a service brake actuator—has in a housing (4) a clock spring (10) for exercising a rotary motion at will on a parking brake gear wheel (8) in drive connection with a device (5-7) for delivering brake force from the brake unit (1). The arrangement has two axially movable control sleeves (15, 16) in drive connection with the clock spring (10). The control sleeves form clutches (8?, 15 and 12, 16, respectively) with the parking brake gear wheel (8) and the housing (4), respectively. There are means (13, 18-21) for controlling the axial movements of the two control sleeves and the engagement of the two clutches in such a way that either one of them is always in engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT NORDIC AB
    Inventor: Tobias Persson
  • Patent number: 10190648
    Abstract: An actuating device is specified for an electromechanically actuatable vehicle brake. The device comprises a multi-stage transmission unit, which is arranged between a driving electric motor and a driven drive element of the vehicle brake, wherein at least one stage of the transmission unit is embodied as a spur-gear transmission, and at least two stages of the transmission unit are coupled by means of a double gearwheel, the rotational axis of which extends parallel to the rotational axis of the electric motor. The transmission unit has at least one intermediate stage which is embodied as a spur-gear transmission and into which at least one stage, embodied as a spur-gear transmission, of the transmission unit is integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Poertzgen, Christian Dilla
  • Patent number: 10190599
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an actuator, a harmonic drive driven by the actuator, an engine case containing a multiple of variable vanes, a firewall transverse to the engine case, a first temperature on one side of the firewall and a second temperature on the other side of the firewall, the first temperature different than the second temperature and a drive shaft driven by the harmonic drive, the drive shaft extends through the firewall to operate the multiple of variable vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L Suciu, Jesse M Chandler
  • Patent number: 10150459
    Abstract: A piston assembly for a pressure-generating device of a braking system of a motor vehicle, including a piston, which is at least partially insertable into an opening formed in a hydraulic unit of the braking system and is axially displaceable therein, and including a ball screw for axially displacing the piston. The piston is connected to the axially displaceable spindle of the ball screw in such a way that the piston moves along with the axially displaceable spindle of the ball screw, the piston enclosing at least one first portion of the nut in a first, retracted position of the piston and the piston enclosing at most one second portion of the nut in a second, extended position of the piston, and the first portion is larger than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Matthias Mayr, Juergen Tandler
  • Patent number: 10103615
    Abstract: Eddy current retarder equipment (1) able to be carried on board a vehicle, includes: a stator assembly (2), including inductor windings (23) forming a circuit (4), a rotor assembly (3) designed to be mounted on a transmission shaft of the vehicle, including an armature (31) facing the inductor windings (23), control elements (6) for establishing a linear setpoint (?), excitation elements (7) for exciting the inductor circuit (4) from an electric power source (5) of the vehicle as a function of the setpoint (?), a speed sensor (9) for supplying information relating to the rotational speed (?) of the rotor assembly (3), a sensor (10) of the strength of current supplied to the inductor circuit (4), processing elements (8) for estimating, at a given moment (t), the retarding torque supplied by the equipment (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TELMA
    Inventors: Rafik Lounis, Mickael Martin, Nicolas Quennet
  • Patent number: 10093290
    Abstract: An electric brake device has at least three control units: a first diagonal wheel control unit that controls a front-left wheel brake mechanism and a rear-right wheel brake mechanism which are positioned diagonally; a second diagonal wheel control unit that controls a front-right wheel brake mechanism and a rear-left wheel brake mechanism which are positioned diagonally; and a front wheel control unit that controls a front-left wheel brake mechanism and a front-right wheel brake mechanism. Each of the brake mechanisms has a friction-receiving member that rotates together with the wheel; and a friction-applying member that moves while being powered by an electric actuator, and obtains the braking force by pressing the friction-applying member against the friction-receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruo Kotera, Hiromitsu Toyota
  • Patent number: 9981648
    Abstract: Provided is an electric brake device that is able to achieve redundancy when an abnormality occurs in a load sensor, without increasing the size of the load sensor. The electric brake device includes a brake rotor, a friction pad, an electric motor, a transmission mechanism, braking force command section, braking force estimation section, motor rotation angle detector, and a controller. The braking force estimation section includes a load sensor configured to detect elastic deformation of a determined member forming the electric brake device. The controller includes sensor abnormality detector configured to store a sensor output of the load sensor at a motor rotation angle at which a braking force becomes zero, and infer the occurrence of plastic deformation in the load sensor from transition of the stored sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yui Masuda
  • Patent number: 9932967
    Abstract: The present disclosure addresses the problem of ensuring that wind turbine voltage levels within a wind power plant do not exceed predetermined overvoltage and/or undervoltage protection levels. In particular, the present disclosure relates to adjustment of an output voltage level of a wind power plant in order to protect an internal power plant grid from overvoltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Jorge Martinez Garcia
  • Patent number: 9884569
    Abstract: A brake control device is provided for a vehicle having an activation device, with the aid of which, at least under consideration of at least one brake demand signal provided by an on-board sensor and/or control device, at least one first control signal may be output to at least one electric drive motor of the vehicle, with which the at least one electric drive motor is controllable into a motor mode, in which a generator braking torque which is unequal to zero may be exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle by the at least one electric drive motor, the at least one electric drive motor being controllable with the aid of the at least one first control signal into at least one overload operating mode as the motor mode, in which the generator braking torque which is unequal to zero may be exerted on the at least one wheel. A method is also provided for operating at least one electric drive motor for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Otmar Bussmann, Urs Bauer, Frank Kaestner
  • Patent number: 9834084
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control method is provided, in which a drive motor and an engine generate power and a hybrid starter generator connected to the engine generates electric power. The vehicle control method includes determining whether the vehicle is in a regenerative control mode and selecting a regenerative torque for the hybrid starter generator connected to the engine. The selected regenerative torque is applied to the hybrid starter generator and electric power is generated with the regenerative torque selected by the hybrid starter generator. In the regenerative torque selection, the regenerative torque with which maximum regenerative energy is produced is selected based on regenerative torque selection factors including a hybrid starter generator rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9771993
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for an electric parking brake or electric motor service brake, having a brake pad adjustment device which can be driven by the actuator arrangement. The invention has a modular construction, comprising: an electric motor, a gear unit, positioned in a housing, coupled to the electric motor and having a functional connection at its output end with the brake pad adjustment device, a means for fastening the actuator arrangement to the brake caliper or the brake pad adjustment device, and a plug receptacle for a plug connector used for the purpose of transmitting electrical signals to the electric motor. The housing has a motor tube molded joined thereto, housing the electric motor, and a motor cap to which is molded, as a single piece, the plug receptacle for a plug connector used for the purpose of transmitting electrical signals to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: IMS Gear SE & Co., KGaA
    Inventors: Marcel Ambs, Jens Fechler, Florian Boettger
  • Patent number: 9709111
    Abstract: A rotational coupling includes a coupling disc configured to be disposed about a shaft having a rotational axis. An electromagnet assembly on one side of the coupling disc includes a housing and a conductor within the housing. An armature is disposed on an opposite side of the coupling disc opposite the conductor and the coupling disc, electromagnet assembly and armature form an electromagnetic circuit when current is supplied to the conductor to urge the armature towards engagement with the coupling disc. An anti-rotation mechanism for the electromagnet assembly includes one or more coupling permanent magnets and one or more fixed permanent magnets configured to be mounted to an outer surface of the housing of the electromagnet assembly and a fixed support structure, respectively. The coupling and fixed permanent magnets are arranged to inhibit movement of the coupling permanent magnets and electromagnet assembly in either rotational direction about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: George P. Gill, Brian K. Holmbeck, Michael Humy
  • Patent number: 9605722
    Abstract: The electric brake actuator with a parking function is provided with: detection unit which is provided in a vehicle in which the electric brake actuator is provided and is capable of detecting movement of the vehicle from a stop state; and determination unit configured to determine whether or not a locking mechanism has shifted to a parking locking state, by using a detection signal outputted from the detection unit, when the locking mechanism is driven by an actuator so as to switch from an unlocking state to the parking locking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Saoyama, Makoto Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9582025
    Abstract: Electronic pedal control systems and methods for a vehicle are provided. One electronic pedal control system includes a first sensor configured to produce a first output corresponding to a user applied force and a second sensor configured to produce a second output corresponding to a release of user applied force. A controller is configured to receive the first output and the second output and to control one of a brake system, a clutch system, and a throttle system of the vehicle based on the first and second outputs, and the first and second sensors are positioned relative to one another such that an application of force to the first sensor unloads the second sensor and the removal of force from the first sensor loads the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Mark Allan Lippman
  • Patent number: 9579156
    Abstract: A surgical operation support system includes: a surgical instrument provided with a usage count accumulation portion that includes a moving portion and a moving mechanism which is configured to move the moving portion; and a body which includes a driving portion that is configured to move the moving portion through the moving mechanism. The usage count accumulation portion is configured to accumulate a usage count of the surgical instrument by a movement of the moving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Komuro