b Lubricant for magnetic disk and magnetic disk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricant for a magnetic disk that is excellent in heat resistance and is suitably used in a magnetic disk to be mounted on a magnetic recording device of a thermally assisted magnetic recording system and a magnetic disk provided with a lubricant layer containing this lubricant. The lubricant for a magnetic disk contains a compound where perfluoropolyether groups each having a perfluoropolyether main chain in its structure and a phosphazene ring at an end are linked to each other through a linking group. The linking group is an aliphatic group or a phosphazene ring. In a magnetic disk having at least a magnetic recording layer, a protective layer, and a lubricant layer on a substrate, the lubricant layer contains the lubricant for a magnetic disk. Full Article
b Lubricating oil composition for working using sizing press By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a lubricating oil composition for sizing which is excellent in machinability and degreasing efficiency and which is excellent in compatibility with an impregnating oil and a sintered metal of oil impregnated bearings. A lubricating oil composition for sizing, including (A) a lubricating base oil having a kinematic viscosity of 0.5 to 100 mm2/s at 40° C. and compounded therein (B) an extreme-pressure agent in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by mass, and (C) a metal deactivator in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass, each based on a total amount of the composition. Full Article
b Lubricant base stocks with improved filterability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided for are lubricant base stocks with improved filterability. The lubricant base stock includes a bright stock and an effective amount of a heavy neutral. The filterability of the base stock as measured by the Membrane Filtration Method is less than or equal to 400 seconds. Also provided for are lubricating oils with improved filterability and methods of improving the filterability of lubricant base stocks. Full Article
b Additives and lubricating oil compositions containing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Para-alkylated substituted diphenylamines are made by catalytically alkylating diphenylamine with a branched-chain alkene, such as propene, oligomer mixture in which the oligomer present in the greatest percentage has 15-24 carbon atoms. The alkylated diphenylamines are useful crankcase lubricant additives such as for reducing piston deposits and engine sludge. Full Article
b Lubricant oil composition and method for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The lubricating oil composition of the invention comprises a lubricating base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1-20 mm2/s, and a viscosity index improver having a ratio M1/M2 of 0.20 or greater, between the total area of the peaks between chemical shifts of 36-38 ppm M1 and the total area of the peaks between chemical shifts of 64-66 ppm M2, with respect to the total area of all of the peaks, in the spectrum obtained by 13C-NMR. The lubricating oil composition of the invention has excellent effects, with a sufficiently high HTHS viscosity at 150° C., and a sufficiently low kinematic viscosity at 40° C., a sufficiently low kinematic viscosity at 100° C. and a sufficiently low HTHS viscosity at 100° C. Full Article
b Lubricant additive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hydrogenated styrene butadiene star copolymer is incorporated in a lubricant additive package. The star copolymer can include about 3 to 25% and about 97 to 75% butadiene. The star copolymer may further be incorporated in a lubricant additive in the amount of about 12 wt % of the star copolymer as compared to the base oil. Full Article
b Ethylene based copolymer compositions as viscosity modifiers and methods for making them By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Polymeric compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. The polymeric composition can include a first ethylene-based copolymer and a second ethylene-based copolymer. The first ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on a weight of the polymeric composition (EA) ranging from about 35 wt % to about 52 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwA) of less than or equal to 130,000. The second ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on the weight of the polymeric composition (EB) ranging from about 65 wt % to about 85 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwB) of less than 130,000. Full Article
b Imides and bis-imides as friction modifiers in lubricants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition is provided for use as a friction modifier for an automatic transmission, which comprises a condensation product of a hydroxypolycarbox-ylic acid, such as 2,3-di-hydroxybutanedioic acid or 2-hydroxybutanedioic acid, with an N,N-di(hydrocarbyl)alkylenediamine, where each hydrocarbyl group contains 1 to 22 carbon atoms, provided that the total number of carbon atoms in the two hydrocarbyl groups is at least about 9, and the alkylene group contains 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Full Article
b Star polymer lubricating composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a lubricating composition containing (a) 0.001 wt % to 15 wt % of a polymer with radial or star architecture; (b) an overbased detergent; (c) a dispersant; and (d) an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further provides a method for lubricating a mechanical device with the lubricating composition. Full Article
b Lubricating oil compositions containing epoxide antiwear agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) an oil soluble epoxide compound having the following structure: wherein X is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl group, wherein the substituted hydrocarbyl group is substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxyl, alkoxy, ester or amino groups and Y is —CH2OR, —C(═O)OR1 or —C(═O)NHR2, wherein R, R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and further wherein the oil of lubricating viscosity does not contain a carboxylic acid ester. Full Article
b Lubricant base oil, lubricant composition for internal combustion engine and lubricant composition for driving force transmitting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The lubricating base oil of the invention is characterized by satisfying at least one of the following conditions (a) or (b). (a) A saturated compound content of 95% by mass or greater, and a proportion of 0.1-10% by mass of cyclic saturated compounds among the saturated compounds.(b) The condition represented by the following formula (1). 1.435≦n20−0.002×kv100≦1.450 (1) wherein n20 represents the refractive index of the lubricating base oil at 20° C., and kv100 represents the kinematic viscosity (mm2/s) of the lubricating base oil at 100° C. Full Article
b Lubricant composition using ionic liquid as a base oil and having excellent rust prevention properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a lubricant composition containing (A) an ionic liquid having an anion represented by formula 1: (Rf1-SO2) (Rf2-SO2) N− or formula 2: (Rf3) (Rf3) (Rf3) PF3− wherein Rf1 and Rf2 in formula 1 may be the same or different and are each F, CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9, and Rf3 in formula 2 may be the same or different and is CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9; and (B) a fatty acid amine salt in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mass %. The lubricant composition of the invention can favorably be used under a high vacuum or an ultra high vacuum, or under high temperatures, and exhibits excellent rust prevention properties. Full Article
b Lubricating oil composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An internal-combustion engine lubricating oil composition has a P content of not greater than 0.09 mass %; a S content of not greater than 0.3 mass %; and a sulphated ash content of not greater than 1 mass %. It contains the following additives: as sole ashless, nitrogen-containing dispersant, and providing from 0.03 to 0.07 mass % of nitrogen in the lubricating oil composition, at least one ashless, nitrogen-containing derivative of a polyalkenyl-substituted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, anhydride or ester, the polyalkenyl-substituted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, anhydride or ester being made from a polyalkene exclusively by the thermal “ene” reaction; as sole overbased metal detergent, at least one overbased alkaline earth metal sulfonate; and at least one viscosity modifier. Full Article
b Molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate compositions and lubricating compositions containing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A novel molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition is produced by preparing a di-tridecylamine (DTDA) intermediate from a butylene feedstock comprising greater than 50% 2-butylene, and preparing a molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition from the DTDA intermediate. The resulting molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition are according to formula (1), wherein R1 to R4 are C11-C14 isoalkyl groups, and X represents oxygen and/or sulfur atoms, and R1 to R4 comprise, on average, greater than 98% C13: Full Article
b Grease composition for hub unit bearing employing an angular contact ball bearing and hub unit bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a grease composition for a hub unit bearing employing an angular contact ball bearing, containing (a) as a thickener a mixture of diurea compounds represented by formula (I): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R1, formula (II): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3, and formula (III): R3—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3 wherein R1 is cyclohexyl group, R2 is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (R1/(R1+R3))×100=85 to 95 mol %; (b) a base oil; (c) a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate; and (d) a calcium sulfonate. The grease composition of the invention, when used in the hub unit bearing, shows minimum leakage, excellent anti-flaking properties and satisfactory bearing lubrication life. Full Article
b Lubricants for data storage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I: X-(L-Z)p-L-R[L-(Z-L)p-Y]q (I) wherein L is a perfluoropolyether; R is q can be an integer equal to or greater than 1; p can independently be integers from 0 to 7; X and Y can independently be chosen from: —OH, —CH2CH2OH, CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH, —CH2CH(OH)CH2OH, —C6H5, —CH2C6H5, —CH2CH(OH)CH3, F, —CF3, —CF2CF3, piperonyl, triazine, benzotriazole, and derivatives thereof; and Z, if present, can independently be chosen from: —C6H4—, —CH2C6H4CH2—, —CH2CH(OH)CH2—, —CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2—, —CH(OH)CH(OH)CH2—, —CH(CH2OH)—, or —CH(C6H5)—. Full Article
b Method and system for screening lubricating oil compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for screening a lubricating oil composition having at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity and at least one lubricating oil additive is provided, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting into a computational device an amount of each of the at least one lubricating oil additive, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition and, optionally, a value of at least one property associated with each of the at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) computing a prediction of at least one lubricating oil composition property-determining test result for the lubricating oil composition; (c) computing a cost for the lubricating oil composition; and (d) outputting the results. Also provided are systems and computer program devices for screening lubricating oil compositions. Full Article
b Method for reducing one or more of deposits and friction of a lubricating oil By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to a method for improving one or more of the control of deposit formation and friction in an engine lubricated using a lubricating oil comprising a base oil and additives by employing as the additive the necessary combination of a borated hydroxyl saturated hydrocarbyl ester amide-amine mixture, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate, and metal salicylate detergent, the deposit formation and friction being improved as compared to a lubricating oil containing the borated hydroxyl saturated hydrocarbyl ester amide-amine mixture, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and a detergent other than metal salicylate, such as metal phosphate and/or metal sulfonate. Full Article
b Nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Object] To provide a nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition which demonstrates a low friction coefficient and realizes a further fuel economy. [Solving Means] A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. Full Article
b Strong base amines to minimize corrosion in systems prone to form corrosive salts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Corrosion by ammonia/amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as distillation overhead streams that contain a mineral acid and water can be prevented, avoided or minimized by adding certain strong amines to the streams. The amines have a pKa between about 10.5 to about 12 and include, but are not necessarily limited to, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropyl-amine, di-n-butylamine, diisobutylamine, di-sec-butylamine, di-tert-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and combinations thereof. If the hydrocarbon stream further includes a nitrogen-containing compound such as ammonia, a tramp and/or a residual amine which can form a corrosive salt with the mineral acid, then the added amine is a stronger base than the tramp or residual amine, if present. The amount of added amine is greater than total amount of nitrogen-containing compound, so that any corrosive salts formed are less corrosive than the salts that would otherwise form from the ammonia and/or tramp amine. Full Article
b Friction and wear management using solvent partitioning of hydrophilic-surface-interactive chemicals contained in boundary layer-targeted emulsions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Lubrication additives of the current invention require formation of emulsions in base lubricants, created with an aqueous salt solution plus a single-phase compound such that partitioning within the resulting emulsion provides thermodynamically targeted compounds for boundary layer organization thus establishing anti-friction and/or anti-wear. The single-phase compound is termed “boundary layer organizer”, abbreviated BLO. These emulsion-contained compounds energetically favor association with tribologic surfaces in accord with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and will organize boundary layers on those surfaces in ways specific to the chemistry of the salt and BLO additives. In this way friction modifications may be provided by BLOs targeted to boundary layers via emulsions within lubricating fluids, wherein those lubricating fluids may be water-based or oil-based. Full Article
b Lubricating oil composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating oil composition comprising a Group II basestock and a neutral or overbased metal hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent having a basicity index of less than 2. Full Article
b Saturation process for making lubricant base oils By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. A fuels hydrocracking process typically has less stringent requirements for the sulfur and nitrogen content of a feed as compared to a lubricant base oil. Additionally, depending on the nature of the feed for the fuels hydrocracking process, the bottoms fraction may contain a relatively high level of aromatics compounds. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction. Full Article
b Sliding member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Task] In a sliding member comprising a substrate and a coating layer provided thereon, the coating layer has a sliding surface and is formed of a resin-based coating and particles of a solid lubricant dispersed therein. The orientation ratio of (001) plane of the solid lubricant is enhanced.[Means for Solution]The coating layer of a sliding layer has an average thickness of 3 μm or less. The particles of the solid lubricant have 2 μm or more of an average particle diameter as measured by the laser diffraction method. The solid lubricant dispersed has 90% or more of relative C-axis intensity ratio. Full Article
b Lubricant oil composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricant oil composition according to the present invention comprises: a lubricant base oil whose kinematic viscosity at 100° C. is 1 to 20 mm2/s; and a viscosity index improver in which a ratio M1a/M2a of a total area M1a of peaks in a chemical shift between 29-31 ppm to a total area M2a of peaks in a chemical shift between 64-69 ppm based on a total area of all the peaks is not less than 10 in a spectrum obtained by 13C-NMR. Full Article
b Lubricating oil additive composition and method of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An oil-soluble lubricating oil additive composition comprising (a) at least 3.5 wt-% of at least one friction modifier selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid esters, and alkane diols which have a melting point of greater than 30° C.; (b) at least 10 wt-% actives dispersant; and (c) a sufficient amount of surfactant to make said additive composition haze-, sediment-, and skin-free, provided that said additive composition contains at least 150 mm surfactant per kg of said lubricating oil additive composition. Full Article
b Lubricant composition and continuously variable transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a lubricating oil composition containing a base oil which includes a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil, and compounded therein, (A) at least one phosphorus-containing compound selected from phosphoric acid monoesters, phosphoric acid diesters and phosphorous acid monoesters, each having a C1 to C8 hydrocarbon group or groups and (B) a tertiary amine compound having C6 to C10 hydrocarbon groups as substituents thereof. The lubricating oil composition provides both a high metal to metal friction coefficient and an excellent wear resistance and is suitably used in a continuously variable transmission. Full Article
b Water-soluble metalworking oil agent and usage thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A water-soluble metalworking oil agent is provided by blending the following components A, B, C and D: (A) at least one of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid, and a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a monovalent carboxylic acid with an alcoholic hydroxyl group of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid;(B) an ester compound provided by a dehydration condensate of a monovalent or multivalent alcohol and a monovalent carboxylic acid;(C) an amine compound; and(D) water. A blend ratio of the component A is 10 mass % or more of a total amount of the oil agent and a blend ratio of the component B is 5 mass % or more of the total amount of the oil agent. Full Article
b Universal synthetic lubricant additive with micro lubrication technology to be used with synthetic or miner host lubricants from automotive, trucking, marine, heavy industry to turbines including, gas, jet and steam By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is known by the inventor that a universal synthetic lubricant additive that can greatly enhance the performance standards of existing lubricants, petroleum based or synthetic, imparts a new and desirable property not originally present in the existing oil or it reinforces a desirable property already possessed in some degree can greatly benefit the consumer. Although additives of many diverse types have been developed to meet special lubrication needs, their principal functions are relatively few in number. This universal synthetic lubricant additive (invention) with micro lubrication technology, when used as directed will reduce the oxidative or thermal degradation of the host oil, substantially reduce the deposition of harmful deposits in lubricated parts, minimize rust and corrosion, control frictional properties, reduce wear, temperature, sludge, varnishes and prevent destructive metal-to-metal contact, reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions while improving performance through increased horsepower and torque. Full Article
b Antiwear composition and method of lubricating driveline device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method of driveline device by supplying to the driveline device a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and an antiwear package, wherein the antiwear package includes: (a) derivatives of a carboxylic acid (typically a hydroxycarboxylic acid); and (b) a phosphorus compound. The invention further provides lubricating compositions containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and an antiwear package, wherein the antiwear package includes (a) derivatives of a carboxylic acid (typically a hydroxycarboxylic acid); and (b) an amine or metal salt of a phosphorus compound that is either (i) a hydroxy-substituted di-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid, or (ii) a phosphorylated hydroxy-substituted di- or tri-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid. Full Article
b Lubricant of solid or liquid consistency, exhibiting low coefficient of friction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a lubricant in the form of grease or thick lubricating gel or transmission oil, as well as motor or universal oils with a myriad of applications. As a result of its contents presented in the patent application is characteristic of low coefficient of friction ranging from 0.055 to 0.062. As the main component, the contents of the discussed lubricant includes three or four stearates of metals or hydroxistearates of metals, which interact and cause a noticeable reduction of friction drag on the lubricated surfaces. Additionally, these substances may include a number of other solid or liquid elements, which maintain low friction drags and, furthermore, improve the lubricant through increasing its load capacity, antirust characteristics, shear strength, etc. The lubricant made according to the invention underwent comparative tests against other greases and greasing oils, the accounts of which are included in the application as diagrams, descriptions of research tests and examples of the contents of the lubricant products. Full Article
b Lubricating oil composition for sliding section comprising aluminum material, and lubricating method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a lubricant composition capable of reducing friction between sliding parts at least one of which contains an aluminum-based material in a lubrication section, and a method for lubricating an aluminum-based member with the composition. The lubricant composition is for use in a lubrication section having sliding parts at least one of which contains an aluminum-based material, and contains a lubricant base oil and at least one of a phosphorus-containing carboxylic compound and a metal salt thereof (component (A)) at 0.001 to 1 mass % of the composition in terms of phosphorus. The composition may suitably be used as lubricant such as drive train lubricant for automatic or manual transmissions, grease, wet brake oil, hydraulic actuation oil, turbine oil, compressor oil, bearing oil, refrigerant oil, and the like used in apparatus having the sliding parts. Full Article
b Blade position registering apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
b Bottom block, a block-transferring tool and a machine tool provided with the block-transferring tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EST A method of placing a bottom block includes: placing bottom blocks on a block storage area in which a spindle can hold the bottom blocks; attaching a block-transferring tool to the spindle, the block-transferring tool having a main shaft attachment attached to the spindle and a block holder for holding the bottom block; and holding the bottom blocks by the block holder of the block-transferring tool and placing the held bottom blocks on a predetermined workpiece placing position on an upper surface of a table by relative movement. Full Article
b Magnetic tool for robots By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A magnetic tool to enable a robot arm to grip a metallic workpiece includes a hollow housing having a coupling member adapted to attach the tool to the robotic arm. A sleeve depends from the housing having a shaft slidably received therein. The shaft has a first end disposed in the housing and a second end extending axially outwardly from an open end of the sleeve. A magnetic member is disposed on the second end of the shaft. The magnetic member includes a main body having a cavity formed therein. A magnet is slidably disposed within the cavity and attached to an actuator adapted to adjust the distance between the magnet and an inner surface of a magnetic face of the main body of the magnetic member to vary the magnetic attraction force at the magnetic face. Full Article
b Method for controlling combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
b Power control of a robotic tool changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs. Full Article
b Trim and flame robot end effector with optional automatic blade change feature By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A combination trimming/flame treatment end effector adapted for mounting to the end of a robotic arm. A trimming blade extends from a main body portion of the end effector for performing a trimming operation. The trimming blade may be mounted in an exchangeable cartridge to facilitate blade changing. Also extending from the main body portion is a flame treatment element for performing a flame treatment operation. The flame treatment element generally comprises a torch or burner. Because both the trimming blade and the flame treatment element are part of the same end effector, the robot simply manipulates the end effector such that the desired one of the trimming blade or the flame treatment element is properly positioned for use. As such, a tooling change can be avoided. While not restricted thereto, it is contemplated that an end effector of the present invention may be used to process vehicle bumper fascias. Full Article
b Turning tool holder used for a combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
b Variable strength magnetic end effector for lift systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A device and method for adjusting the magnetic strength of a magnetic end effector for lift systems is described. The magnetic end effector is capable of lifting discriminate payloads by selectively varying the strength of the magnetic forces output by the magnetic end effector. An actuator can be operatively coupled to the variable strength magnet end effector, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to control the adjustment of the variable strength magnet. The actuator may also be configured to maintain the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength once achieved for any given amount of time. Full Article
b Subsea tool changer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A subsea tool changer comprises a housing; a rotatable carousel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to receive a plurality of selectively removable tools; a tool changer that can select a predetermined one of the plurality of tools from the carousel; and a power drive adapted to provide a predetermined function to a tool selected by the tool changer, the power drive further comprising a first power drive interface. In typical use, a selectively removable tool is placed onto the rotatable carousel which is rotated so that a desired selectively removable tool is positioned adjacent to a tool driver which is then mated with the desired selectively removable tool. The tool changer and mated selected removable tool are moved outward toward an outer boundary of the housing and the tool changer extended at least partially outside the housing outward towards a predetermined tool working position. The tool changer is then pivoted to position the selected removable tool to its predetermined tool working position. Full Article
b Head tool changer for use with deposition-based digital manufacturing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit. Full Article
b Chain-type bit-storing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A machine tool is provided with a chain-type bit-storing apparatus which includes a frame, two sprockets, a chain and a pivoting unit. The frame includes a cutout. The sprockets are placed in the frame. The chain is driven by the sprockets. The chain includes links each including a socket for containing a bit, two plates for supporting the socket, first and second blocks placed between the plates, first and second bearing units for rotationally supporting the first and second blocks on the plates, and a connecting unit for pivotally connecting the first block thereof to the second block of an adjacent link. The pivoting unit is used to pivot the socket of a selected one of the links to move an open end of the socket out of the frame through the cutout. Full Article
b Section member drilling or milling machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A section member drilling or milling machine comprises a machine bed for supporting a workpiece to be drilled, the machine bed including guides for controllably sliding thereon a support comprising precision vertical guides thereon a platform is engaged, the platform comprising parallel horizontal guides slidably supporting a carriage, in turn supporting a cantilever arm, including a driving motor for controllably driving a drilling and milling tool along parallel guides of the cantilever arm. Full Article
b Tool gripper chain bendable in two directions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a tool gripper chain bendable in two directions that has a chain assembly that includes: gripper blocks that each have a first tooth at the center of a curved groove; first and second gripper assemblies that have first and second gripper members rotatably mounted on the rear of gripper blocks and grip a tool; first and second outer links that are formed in an arc shape; first and second inner links that are formed in an arc shape and disposed zigzag with respect to first and second outer links between first outer link and second outer link; and first and second collars that are disposed between first inner link and second inner link, in which first gripper assembly is disposed in front of second outer link, second gripper assembly is disposed ahead of second inner ink, and a first shaft hole of first gripper assembly and second shaft hole of second gripper assembly are coaxially arranged, such that first and second gripper assemblies are coupled by a first shaft or a second shaft. Full Article
b Combination machining lathe By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a combination machining lathe, a workpiece holding device holds a workpiece in a manner that permits the workpiece to rotate around an axis parallel to a direction of a horizontal Z axis. A tool post holds a tool that comprises a holder and a bit. The tool held by the tool post is indexed to a position in which the longitudinal axis of the holder is parallel to an X axis direction. The bit of the tool held by the tool post is angled such that a longitudinal axis of the bit is disposed in a position tilted away from the X axis direction closer to a horizontal axis in a plane containing the X axis and the Y axis. A turning operation is performed while the tool and/or the workpiece are moved relative to each other in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the bit. Full Article
b Optical network terminal management control interface-based passive optical network security enhancement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A network component comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to exchange security information using a plurality of attributes in a management entity (ME) in an optical network unit (ONU) via an ONU management control interface (OMCI) channel, wherein the attributes provide security features for the ONU and an optical line terminal (OLT). Also included is an apparatus comprising an ONU configured to couple to an OLT and comprising an OMCI ME, wherein the OMCI ME comprises a plurality of attributes that support a plurality of security features for transmissions between the ONU and the OLT, and wherein the attributes are communicated via an OMCI channel between the ONU and the OLT and provide the security features for the ONU and the OLT. Full Article
b Method and system for detecting fiber fault in passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure provides a method and a system for detecting a fiber fault in a Passive Optical Network (PON). The system comprises an optical path detection device, a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) coupler, a wavelength selection coupler, a branch fiber selector and a wavelength selection router. The detection system is attached to an original PON system, without influencing the operation of the original system while performing the detection. With the disclosure, the problem of being unable to determine whether there is a fault in a branch fiber due to the loss of an optical path detection reflection signal is solved, the branch fiber with a fault can be quickly located and fixed, thus the operational and maintenance costs of an operator are reduced. Full Article
b Method and apparatus for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed. Full Article
b Redundancy and interoperability in multi-channel optoelectronic devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels. Full Article