r Casting Jig for Chair-Side Manufacture of Customizable Sculptable Anatomical Healing Caps By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. Each respective anatomical healing cuff body negative shape includes an asymmetrical cross-section and an irregular surface so that an anatomical healing cuff body having said shape is configured to provide substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged or should have emerged from the void (e.g., in the case of a congenitally missing tooth). The casting jig may further include a socket at a distal end of each well that is configured to receive therein a dental implant or dental implant analog. Full Article
r Dental Carrier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A dental carrier comprises a thermoplastic carrier. The thermoplastic carrier has a pattern structure. After heating the thermoplastic carrier, the thermoplastic carrier is provided with a user to be impressed by teeth or alveolar ridge for forming teeth or alveolar ridge model of the user. Compared to the prior art, the dental carrier of the present invention can provide the dental medicament contained in the pattern structure to be precisely applied and hold onto the treatment area and the medicament can be evenly coated on the teeth, root, or periodontal tissue for the treatment of teeth. When the dental carrier is not used to carry medicament, the pattern structure can improve the mechanical strength and fitness of the dental carrier to be used as a biteplate, orthodontic retainer, periodontal dressing for treatment or protection or mouth guard in sports. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that includes a mouthpiece and an electromagnetic radiation source. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes a mouthpiece comprising a curved wall having a concave inner surface and a bite platform extending from the concave inner surface of the curved wall to a distal end, the distal end of the bite platform extending continuously in a non-interrupted manner from a first end of the bite platform to a second end of the bite platform; an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from the curved wall; and wherein the bite platform comprises a collapsible region such that the mouthpiece is alterable between: (1) a biased state in which the curved wall has a first curvature; and (2) a flexed state in which the curved wall has a second curvature that is different than the first curvature. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface and is formed of a first material. A flexible lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface so that a light emitting surface of the flexible lamp assumes a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly. A guard component is overmolded to the lamp assembly. The guard component is formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the first material. In one embodiment, the oral treatment device may be a teeth whitening device. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp support surface; and a lamp. When the lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface, a first contact surface of the lamp contacts a first contact surface of a first electrical contact element of the lamp support surface; and (2) a second contact surface of the lamp contacts a second contact surface of a second electrical contact element of the lamp support surface. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may comprise a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface; first and second lamps, each of the first and second lamps comprising a plurality of light emitters that generate light which is emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; each of the first and second lamps mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first and second lamps operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and a lamp retaining component coupled to the lamp support structure, a lower portion of the first lamp and an upper portion of the second lamp retained between the lamp retaining component and the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto a user's teeth. The oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded within the flexible sheet body that generate light which is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The flexible sheet body comprises: a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material. The plurality of light emitting diodes are printed to the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp having a concave curvature and being exposed so as to form a light emitting surface of the mouthpiece. Full Article
r ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises: a first light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's maxillary teeth, the first light emitting surface having a concave curvature; a second light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's mandibular teeth, the second light emitting surface having a concave curvature; the first and second light emitting surface located on opposite sides of a horizontal reference plane; the first light emitting surface inclined so that a first acute angle is formed between with the first light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane; and the second light emitting surface inclined so that a second acute angle is formed between with the second light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane. Full Article
r METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOOTH REGULATION WITH HEAVY FORCES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods are provided for regulating tooth movement and for maintaining or improving tissue health using heavy forces. Such methods comprise allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted. The light can have a wavelength in the range of about 585 nm to about 665 nm, or about 815 nm to about 895 nm. An apparatus useful for providing light therapy is also provided. Full Article
r Ornament for Attachment to Orthodontic Braces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An ornament for attachment to orthodontic braces, the orthodontic braces having an arch wire overlying a laterally adjacent pair of teeth, the ornament having a web having a front end and a rear end; the ornament further having a first arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's front end; the ornament further having a second arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's rear end; the ornament further having a channel bounded by structures including the web, the first arm, and the second arm, the channel being fitted for, upon a passage of the arch wire between the first and second arms, nestingly receiving the arch wire. Full Article
r ION IMPLANTATION MODIFICATION OF ARCHWIRES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques and methods for utilizing ion implantation to modify dental archwires are provided. An example of a method of ion implanting a wire target includes providing the wire target in an ion implant system, implanting ions into the wire target such that a color of the wire target material after the implanting exhibits a changed appearance from the color of the wire target material before the implanting, and removing the wire target from the ion implant system. An example of a copper-aluminum-nickel (CuAlNi) wire includes an ion implanted atomic species wherein a color of an implanted CuAlNi wire is white, off-white and/or silver and further wherein the implanted CuAlNi wire exhibits mechanical properties of an unimplanted CuAlNi wire. Full Article
r DENTAL IMPLANT ASSEMBLY AND ABUTMENT THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A dental implant assembly includes an implant, an abutment, and a fixing element. The implant is placed in the alveolar bone. The abutment is assembled to the implant and includes a tapered position-restricting part and an elastic pressing part. The tapered position-restricting part has an abutment fixing channel substantially matching the tapered position-restricting outer wall of the tapered position-restricting trench. The elastic pressing part includes the elastic pressing structures extended from the tapered position-restricting part. The fixing element includes the fixing head and the fixing rod extended from the fixing head. A tolerance allowable gap is formed between the abutment fixing channel and the fixing rod. As the abutment is assembled to the implant, the elastic pressing structures press against the position-restricting wall first to hinder the relative rotation therebetween; when an offset error exists, the tolerance allowable gap allows the fixing rod to penetrate the abutment fixing channel. Full Article
r NOVEL DENTAL SCANNER DEVICE AND SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A three-dimensional (3D) scanner device for generating a three dimensional (3D) surface model of shaped objects, such as dental structures, applicable for use in the field of dentistry, particularly to dental prosthetics manufacturing is described. The scanning device can include a probe head having a particular configuration and utility. Methods and systems relating to the device and components thereof are also disclosed. Full Article
r Method and Apparatus for Generation of 3D Models with Applications in Dental Restoration Design By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus are provided for generating computer 3D models of an object, by registering two or more scans of physical models of an object. The scans may be 3D scans registered by a curve-based registration process. A method is provided for generating a 3D model of a portion of a patient's oral anatomy for use in dental restoration design. Also provided are scanning workflows for scanning physical models of an object to obtain a 3D model. Full Article
r METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BLANK AND DENTAL RESTORATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a blank from a ceramic material, wherein at least two layers of ceramic material of different compositions are filled into a die layer-by-layer and after filling of the layers they are then pressed and sintered, wherein after filling of a first layer this is structured on its surface in such a way that the first layer, viewed across its surface, differs in its height from region to region, and then a layer with a composition that differs from the first layer is filled as a second layer into the mold. Full Article
r POP-A-DENTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is a pre-made set of temporary dentures with various sizes of an elastomeric material which provides a satisfactory physical appearance. Full Article
r MOUTHPIECE DELIVERY APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A mouthpiece delivery apparatus and methods for the using the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the mouthpiece delivery apparatus can include: a mouthpiece that can include a top receiving wall, a bottom receiving wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, where the bottom receiving wall can include a base member and an edge member; an adapter section, where the adapter section is configured to attach to a dispensing apparatus; and a body section, where the body section is attached to the mouthpiece at a first end and attached to the adapter section at a second end. Full Article
r Hydraulic Circuit for Clutch Actuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic circuit includes a clutch actuator operatively associated with a clutch that may be disposed in a transmission. A hydraulic fluid source supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid for the clutch actuator. To measure the filling rate of the hydraulic actuator, a reference actuator having a predetermined filling rate is disposed in parallel with the hydraulic actuator and in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid source. If hydraulic pressure associated with the reference actuator does not correspond to the hydraulic pressure associated with the clutch actuator, a compensation valve can appropriately respond by selectively directing hydraulic fluid to or from the clutch actuator. In a further embodiment, the reference actuator and compensation valve may be replaced with an electrohydraulic valve utilizing feedback from the hydraulic pressure present at the inlet of the clutch actuator. Full Article
r Hydraulic Circuit for Clutch Actuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic circuit includes a clutch actuator operatively with a clutch that may be disposed in a transmission. A hydraulic fluid source supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid for the clutch actuator. An on-off valve is disposed in fluid communication between the clutch actuator and the hydraulic fluid source; the on-off valve configured to fill the clutch actuator with hydraulic fluid. An accumulator is disposed in parallel with the on-off valve and in fluid communication with the clutch actuator. The accumulator is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid redirected from the clutch actuator and to provide a counter-pressure for modulating the clutch actuator. Full Article
r TORQUE CONVERTER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torque converter comprising a torque input element (19), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (19) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8), clutch means (10, 38) movable between an engaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (12, 43, 44, 45), and a disengaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3) and the turbine wheel (4), with a first bearing (31) being axially mounted between the impeller wheel (3) and the reactor (5), with a second bearing (31') being axially mounted between the reactor (5) and the turbine wheel (4). Full Article
r TORQUE CONVERTER WITH AN EMBOSSED COVER FOR RECEIVING A CARRIER PLATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a first indentation; an impeller shell fixedly secured to the cover; at least one impeller blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly secured to the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch including a first carrier plate fixedly secured to the cover and including a first protrusion disposed in the first indentation and a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the first carrier plate. Full Article
r Fluid Driving Device, Motor Assembly and Friction Clutch Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fluid driving device, a motor assembly and a friction clutch thereof are disclosed. The friction clutch includes: a fixing member fixed on a rotary shaft; a connecting member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, wherein when the rotary shaft starts rotating, an axial distance between the connecting member and the fixing member changes such that a friction force between the fixing member and the connecting member increases until the connecting member rotates synchronously with the fixing member; a loading member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, the loading member and the connecting member being circumferentially positioned; and a restoring member configured to reduce an amount of change of the axial distance between the fixing member and the connecting member when the rotary shaft stops rotating. Full Article
r Twin Plate Separation Systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting. Full Article
r ZERO BACKLASH PRE-DAMPER TO MAIN DAMPER ATTACHMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A driven damper assembly, comprises a first main-damper cover plate comprising an inclined portion. The inclined portion comprises a notch. A first plane passes through the first pre-damper cover plate. A second plane passes through the first main-damper cover plate and is parallel to the first plane. The notch comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is not parallel to the second wall. The inclined portion extends away from the second plane at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the second plane and less than ninety degrees away from the second plane. The first pre-damper cover plate comprises a tab with a first portion extending outwardly at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the first plane and less than ninety degrees away from the first plane, wherein the tab engages the notch at the first wall and the second wall. Full Article
r Dual Layer Sintered Metallic Clutch Friction Facing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for forming a friction facing comprises placing a bonding powder mix in to a die, and placing a performance powder mix in to the die. Pressing the performance powder mix and the bonding powder mix creates a compact. Sintering the compact forms a friction facing. A clutch disc assembly can be formed. A clutch disc can comprise a mounting hole for securing a friction facing and a backer plate can comprise a pass-through hole. A mounting mechanism joins the mounting hole to the pass-through hole. The mounting mechanism comprises a head-height for a portion of the mounting mechanism that is mounted near the sintered compact. The bonding layer comprises a thickness corresponding to the head-height of the mounting mechanism. Full Article
r WET DUAL MULTI-PLATE CLUTCH WITH LEVERS OUTSIDE THE WET CHAMBER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A multi-plate dual clutch for coupling a motor vehicle engine to a drive shaft of a motor vehicle transmission and to an auxiliary power take-off output shaft of the motor vehicle. The dual clutch includes a drive clutch for coupling the motor vehicle engine with the drive shaft, and an auxiliary power take-off clutch for coupling the motor vehicle engine with the auxiliary output shaft. The drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch can each to be operated independently of one another by a separate lever mechanism. The dual clutch includes a wet chamber housing in which the drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch are accommodated in fluid-tight relationship, while the respective lever mechanisms for the drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch are located outside the wet chamber housing. Full Article
r ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR COMPRISING A MECHANICAL ROLLER TORQUE LIMITER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electromechanical actuator comprising a body and an electric motor driving at least one motion transmission element connected to the body via a brake device, a mechanical torque limiter with rollers, and a unidirectional transmission member, the brake device including an electrical activator member so that when the activator member is powered, the unidirectional transmission member is released relative to the body, and when the activator member is not powered, the unidirectional transmission member is secured to the body and opposes pivoting of the transmission element in one direction of rotation up to a maximum transmissible torque defined by the torque limiter. Full Article
r CLUTCH PACK WITH ROBUST HYSTERESIS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hysteresis device assembly comprises a first spacer plate, a second spacer plate, a stack plate, and a hub. The hub engages the second spacer plate. The hysteresis device assembly further comprises a tabbed washer comprising a tab. The tab engages the first spacer plate and the stack plate. Full Article
r DOUBLE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND DEVICE FOR ASSISTING ACTUATOR OF THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a double clutch assembly and a device for assisting an actuator of the double clutch. The device applies an assistance force to the actuator upon an operation of the actuator. In particular, the double clutch assembly includes first and second actuators which engage or disengage first and second clutches, respectively. The device includes: an elastic member to apply an elastic force; a first transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the first actuator; and a second transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the second actuator. Full Article
r A CLUTCH DRIVING DEVICE FOR DECELERATION CLUTCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A driving device for a deceleration clutch, comprises a on a driving motor shaft. The drive wheel has a supporting surface with a height difference in the axial direction. A head of a shift fork lever controls the clutch sleeve to move up and down. A tail of the shift fork lever is supported on the supporting surface. The tail of the shift fork lever relatively slides on the supporting surface, so that a height of the tail of the shift fork lever changes which drives a height of the head of the shift fork and further drives the clutch sleeve to move up and down. Alternatively, the drive wheel has a supporting slide rail with a height difference in the axial direction, or has cam circumference that is radially gradient, or a bracing rod is eccentrically arranged on an end surface of the drive wheel. Full Article
r CLUTCH DEVICE FOR MOTORCYCLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clutch center includes a pressure receiving part and is accommodated inside a clutch housing. A pressure plate includes a pressure applying part disposed at an interval from the pressure receiving part in an axial direction. A clutch portion is disposed between the pressure receiving part and the pressure applying part, and allows and blocks transmission of a power between the clutch housing and the clutch center. A first cam portion is disposed on one side of the clutch center in the axial direction, and increases an engaging force of the clutch portion when a forward drive force acts on a clutch device. A second cam portion is disposed on the other side of the clutch center in the axial direction, and reduces the engaging force of the clutch portion when a reverse drive force acts on the clutch device. Full Article
r CLUTCH DEVICE FOR MOTORCYCLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clutch center includes a pressure receiving part and is accommodated inside the clutch housing. A pressure plate includes a pressure applying part disposed at an interval from the pressure receiving part in an axial direction. A clutch portion is disposed between the pressure receiving part and the pressure applying part, and allows and blocks transmission of a power between the clutch housing and the pressure plate. A first cam portion is disposed on one side of the pressure plate in the axial direction, and increases an engaging force of the clutch portion when a forward drive force acts on a clutch device. A second cam portion is disposed on the other side of the pressure plate in the axial direction, and reduces the engaging force of the clutch portion when a reverse drive force acts on the clutch device. Full Article
r METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LATCHING AN ACTUATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An axle disconnect system including an actuator having an energizable coil in an overmold that is at least partially surrounded by a coil housing. An armature is in sliding engagement with the housing such that the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Disposed between one of (i) the housing or armature and (ii) a sliding collar is a slide ring. The sliding collar is located directly radially inward from the slide ring. A first end portion of the sliding collar has a set of axially extending teeth. Radially inward from the first end portion of the sliding collar is a return spring groove having a return spring. An outer surface of a second end portion of an output gear has a set of axially extending teeth that are selectively engageable with the teeth on the first end portion of the sliding collar. Full Article
r CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure. Full Article
r FLEXIBLE WET FRICTION MATERIALS INCLUDING SILANE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A friction material for a clutch comprising: a plurality of fibers; a filler material: and, a binder including at least 3% and at most 50% silane by weight based on total weight of the binder. The friction material is devoid of added water. In an example aspect, the silane is an organosilane having a reactive organic ureido group and a hydrolyzable inorganic triethoxysilyl group. In an example aspect, the binder further includes phenolic resin, wherein the phenolic resin forms byproduct water upon curing to react with the hydrolyzable inorganic triethoxysilyl group to form a cross-linked binder. A method forming a hybrid matrix composite for a flexible clutch friction material is also disclosed. Full Article
r FREQUENCY DYNAMIC ABSORBER FOR TORSIONAL VIBRATION DAMPER OF HYDROKINETIC TORQUE COUPLING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper. Full Article
r LOCKUP APPARATUS FOR TORQUE CONVERTER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a lockup apparatus for a torque converter and aims to obtain a smooth relative movement of a equalizer plate with respect to a deformation of a drive plate. The drive plate 26 as an inlet sided rotating member is connected to a driven plate 22 as an outlet sided rotating member by means of damper springs 28 in a rotating direction. The damper spring 28 is constructed by a pair of divided parts 28A and 28B. An equalizer plate as an intermediate member 29 is arranged so as to slide rotatably on bearing parts 26-1 of the drive plate 26 and supporting parts 40 fixed to the equalizer plate 29 are arranged between the divided parts 28A and 28B of the damper springs 28. The bearing part 26-1 of the drive plate 26 has an outer peripheral surface 26-1a', of which arc shape has a center C' of a curvature which is offset from the center C of the arc shape of the inner peripheral surface 29a of the equalizer plate 29. Full Article
r TORSIONAL VIBRATION REDUCTION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member. Full Article
r Hydraulic System for a Torque Converter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter. Full Article
r DISCONNECT SYSTEM FOR AN AXLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved. The use of a second engagement spring allows for the disengagement of the system when disengagement is typically blocked due to high driveline torques without having to reapply current to the motor Full Article
r CLUTCH SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE POWERTRAIN By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clutch pack includes a first set of clutch plates and a second set of clutch plates. The first set of clutch plates are arranged in an alternating configuration with the second set of clutch plates. The first set of clutch plates has radially outward extending teeth. The second set of clutch plates has radially inward extending teeth that define channels that are configured to allow air to flow into the clutch pack in an axial direction such that lubrication fluid located between adjacent clutch plates is channeled radially outward. Full Article
r DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A CLUTCH-CONTROLLED TRANSFER CASE HAVING A TWO-STAGE INTERMEDIATE GEARING AND CLUTCH-CONTROLLED TRANSFER CASE THAT HAS A TWO-STAGE INTERMEDIATE GEARING AND THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH SAID DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for actuating a clutch-controlled transfer case having a two-stage intermediate gearing and a clutch-controlled transfer case that has a two-stage intermediate gearing and that is equipped with such a device. The device comprises: a rotatably driven selector shaft,a drive for rotating the selector shaft,a clutch cam disk, which can be rotated about a clutch cam disk axis by means of the selector shaft, andat least one scissor lever, wherein: one end (06) of at least one scissor lever is guided in a gate provided on the clutch cam disk,the gate has a curved path for each scissor lever, in which curved path the end of the scissor lever associated with the curved path is guided,the curved path winds around the clutch cam disk axis by at least 360°,the curved path has at least one helical segment having a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the clutch cam disk axis, along which segment one end of a scissor lever guided therein experiences a continuously increasing or decreasing change in deflection with respect to the clutch cam disk axis during a rotation of the clutch cam disk with increasing angle of rotation, andthe clutch cam disk is disposed in such a way that the clutch cam disk can be rotated with respect to the selector shaft between two stops by an angle-of-rotation range such that, by means of rotation of the selector shaft within the angle-of-rotation range situated between said stops, shifting back and forth between the shifting stages of the intermediate gearing occurs, and, by means of rotation of the selector shaft beyond the angle-of-rotation range, the end of the at least one scissor lever experiences a deflection for actuating the clutch while a selected shifting stage is maintained. Full Article
r INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An internal combustion engine which can be miniaturized, even where it includes an oil filter between a hydraulic clutch and an oil pump, without significantly increasing the length of an oil passage for the hydraulic clutch, the oil pump and a hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus. A second oil filter is provided on an oil pan at a lower portion of the internal combustion engine so as to be disposed at a position at which the second oil filter does not overlap with any of a controlling oil pump and a hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus as viewed in side elevation and which is lower than those of the oil pump and the hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus. Full Article
r TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKUP CLUTCH INCLUDING PISTON SHIM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A lockup clutch for a torque converter is provided. The lockup clutch includes a clutch plate and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a base section and a shim fixed to the base section. The shim is arranged for contacting the clutch plate to cause engagement of the lockup clutch. A method of forming a lockup clutch is also provided. The method includes fixing a shim to a base section to form a piston assembly; and arranging the piston assembly adjacent to a clutch plate such that the shim is arranged for contacting the clutch plate to cause engagement of the lockup clutch. A torque converter is also provided. Full Article
r METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER PATH WITH CONTINUOUSLY POWER-SPLIT TRANSMISSION AND WITH SECONDARILY COUPLED POWER SPLIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group. Full Article
r POWER EQUIPMENT DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE ATTACHMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed technology relate to a device and system that include an outdoor power equipment power unit or cart configured to releasably couple a number of different interchangeable attachments or work implements to a common power unit, where some attachments include and/or require operator presence control, while other attachments do not include and/or require operator presence control. The outdoor power equipment power unit includes a power transfer coupling member operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to transfer rotational power to the associated attachment; and an operator presence actuation member operatively coupled to the operator presence control member, the operator presence actuation member configured to rotate in response to user actuation of the operator presence control member. Full Article
r SYNCHRONIZATION UNIT FOR A GEAR CHANGING TRANSMISSION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A synchronization unit of a switchable gear changing transmission for a vehicle. The synchronization unit includes a friction ring having an outer installation surface and a synchronizer ring having an inner installation surface. The outer installation surface of the friction ring is shaped as a first geometrically structured profile. The inner installation surface of the synchronizer ring is shaped as a corresponding second geometrically structured profile. The first profile of the friction ring is configured to engage with the second profile of the synchronizer ring in such a manner that the friction ring is secured in the radial direction to the axis and in the circumferential direction at the synchronizer ring. Full Article
r DUAL RAMP ACTUATOR CONTROLLING A TWO CLUTCH SYSTEM FOR A DRIVELINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A ball ramp actuator assembly including a control ring, an activation ring including a first section and a second section, two circumferential plate grooves formed between the control ring and the sections of the activation ring which contain rolling elements, two clutches, a gear and an actuator. The first and second sections are splined together allowing for axial movement. The first clutch is connected to the first section of the activation ring and a second clutch is connected to the second section of the activation ring. The rotation of a section of the activation ring axially in one direction allows the corresponding plate groove to expand and apply a load to the corresponding clutch while the other section of the activation ring remains inactive and rotation in the opposite direction activates the other clutch respectively. Full Article
r SHIFTING DEVICE FOR A CLUTCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A shifting device for a positively engaging clutch having complementary first and second positively engaging coupling elements includes a housing and an actuator rod which is axially movable within the housing by means of an associated rod actuating mechanism. A clutch shift fork for engagement with the first coupling element is mounted on the actuator rod for axial movement of the first coupling element into and out of engagement with the second coupling element in response to axial movement of the actuator rod. The clutch shift fork is mounted on the actuator rod by a threaded connector such that the clutch shift fork is axially movable on the actuator rod. Thus conveniently the axial position of the clutch fork on the shaft may be altered by rotating the shaft relative to the clutch fork for accurate positioning of the clutch fork relative to the coupling element with which it engages. Full Article
r REVERSE INPUT BLOCKING CLUTCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a locking type reverse input blocking clutch, smooth finished surfaces having no directionality are formed, by barrel polishing, on surfaces brought into contact with rollers while rotation is being transmitted from the input side to the output side, i.e. an inner peripheral cylindrical surface of an outer ring and a surface of a lid portion opposed to the rollers. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the rollers and the outer ring and between the rollers and the lid portion, without the need to reduce the forces of springs for pushing the rollers into narrow portions of wedge-shaped spaces. This in turn makes it possible to reduce the torque necessary to transmit rotation from the input side to the output side, while maintaining high locking performance. Full Article