Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090255514 | FUEL PUMP SHAFT AND PUMP MOUNTING IN ENGINE BLOCK - An engine assembly may include an engine block, a fuel pump, and a drive shaft. The engine block may include first and second banks defining first and second sets of cylinders disposed at an angle relative to one another to form a V-configuration. The engine block may include a valley between the first and second banks of cylinders. The fuel pump may be supported by the engine block and located within the valley. The drive shaft may be supported by the engine block and may be drivingly engaged with the fuel pump. | 10-15-2009 |
20100022336 | Chain Drive Tensioner System with Translating Pivot Point - A chain drive tensioner system with translating pivot point is disclosed. The chain drive tensioner system with translating pivot point includes a chain drive tensioner assembly and a tensioner arm in operable communication with a chain. The chain drive tensioner assembly is in operable communication with the tensioner arm, and the tensioner assembly is moveable between a first tensioner position and a second tensioner position. The tensioner arm includes an internal gear and an external gear rotatably mounted within the internal gear, such that movement of the tensioner assembly from the first tensioner position to the second tensioner position along with concurrent rotation of the external gear within the internal gear is operable to move the tensioner arm laterally from a first position to a second position. | 01-28-2010 |
20100022337 | Variable Leakdown Chain Drive Tensioner - A variable leakdown chain drive tensioner system includes a chain drive tensioner in operable communication with a chain. The chain drive tensioner includes a tensioner body with at least one leakage hole defining a first leakdown path and a tensioner piston assembly in operable engagement with the tensioner body. As the chain wears, the tensioner piston assembly is moveable from a first position, allowing flow through the first leakdown path, to at least a second position, substantially blocking flow through the first leakdown path. The tensioner body may also include a second leakage hole defining a second leakdown path and the tensioner piston may also have a third position. The first position would allow flow through the first and second leakdown paths, the second position would allow flow through only the second leakdown path, and the third position would substantially block flow through both the first and second leakdown paths. | 01-28-2010 |
20100093473 | Chain Tensioning Apparatus with Temperature-Based Leakdown - An apparatus for tensioning a chain is provided that compensates for the affect of temperature on oil viscosity by providing, in addition to a continuously open oil leakage path, an additional leakage path open only at lower temperatures when oil is more viscous and leaks at a slower rate. Thus, overall oil leakage at lower temperatures is similar to that at higher temperatures, when the additional leakage path is closed, and the less viscous higher temperature oil leaks at a faster rate from the continuously open oil leakage path. Accordingly, the affect of temperature on hydraulic stiffness of the tensioner assembly is minimized. | 04-15-2010 |
20100229666 | SHEAVE AND GEAR MECHANISM - A gear mechanism includes a first gear mounted on a first shaft in meshing arrangement with a second gear mounted on a second shaft. A fixed sheave is mounted on the first shaft. A first sliding sheave and a second sliding sheave are mounted on the second shaft. The first sliding sheave and the second sliding sheave are in contact with the fixed sheave. | 09-16-2010 |
20120055426 | ENGINE INCLUDING VARIABLE VALVE LIFT MECHANISM - An engine assembly may include an engine structure, an engine valve, a valve lift mechanism, and first and second camshafts. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber and a port in communication with the combustion chamber. The engine valve may be supported by the engine structure and displaceable between an open position where the port is in communication with the combustion chamber and a closed position to isolate the port from communication with the combustion chamber. The valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the engine valve. The first camshaft may be rotationally supported by the engine structure and may include a first cam lobe engaged with the valve lift mechanism. The second camshaft may be rotationally supported by the engine structure and may include a second cam lobe engaged with the valve lift mechanism. | 03-08-2012 |
20120103293 | MULTIPLE GEAR RATIO STARTER MOTOR - A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary member and an output member adapted for starting the engine. The starter also includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. Each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets includes a first, a second, and a third gear member and each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets is operatively connected to the output member. The starter additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the first gear set and to the second gear set for driving the output member. A motor vehicle employing the disclosed starter is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120149513 | VARIABLE RATIO POWER-SPLIT HYBRID TRANSMISSION - A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. A first electric motor/generator has a first rotor connected for rotation with the first member. A second electric motor/generator has a second rotor connected for rotation with the second member. A first set of intermeshing gears has a first gear ratio, and a second set of intermeshing gears has a second gear ratio different than the first gear ratio. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and one of the input member and the output member through the first set of intermeshing gears. A second torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and the one of the input member and the output member through the second set of intermeshing gears. | 06-14-2012 |
20120238385 | VARIABLE RATIO POWER-SPLIT HYBRID TRANSMISSION - A transmission includes a first motor/generator with a first rotor connected for rotation with a first member of a first planetary gear set. A second electric motor/generator has a second rotor connected for rotation with a second member of the first planetary gear set. The second member of the first planetary gear set is connected for common rotation with the output member. The first member of a second planetary gear set rotates with the input member, and the third member of the second planetary gear set is grounded to a stationary member. A first torque-transmitting mechanism establishes torque flow between the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the first planetary gear set. A second torque-transmitting mechanism establishes torque flow between the second member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the first planetary gear set. | 09-20-2012 |
20120264555 | SINGLE MODE COMPOUND POWER-SPLIT HYBRID TRANSMISSION - A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission has an input member, an output member, and a stationary member. The transmission has a planetary gear set with a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a carrier, a first set of pinion gears, a second set of pinion gears, and a ring gear. The carrier supports the sets of pinion gears. The first set of pinion gears meshes with the first sun gear and with the ring gear. The second set of pinion gears meshes with the second sun gear and with the second set of pinion gears. The input member is connected with the ring gear. The output member is connected with the first sun gear. A first motor/generator has a rotor connected with the carrier. A second motor/generator has a rotor connected with the second sun gear. A torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to ground the input member to the stationary member. | 10-18-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090277368 | Boat anchor - An anchor for mooring a water craft to a shore or beach that included a straight shaft that is pointed on one end and is arranged on connecting to a torque producing device on its other end. The shaft includes an auger fixed thereto adjacent to the pointed end and is to loosely fitted into a cylindrical tube wherefrom fins or blades are attached to extend oppositely outwardly from the cylindrical tube sides that are sloped outwardly from their lower ends to facilitate their travel into the shore or beach. A torque applying handle or driver is provided for attachment to the shaft other end, and a mooring line connector is secured to the cylindrical tube, adjacent to a top end thereof. | 11-12-2009 |
20100104999 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Intra-Oral Distraction - Described herein are various embodiments of a bone distraction osteogenesis system and associated apparatus and methods that overcome at least some shortcomings of the prior art. According to one representative embodiment, a bone distraction system for distracting a portion of bone from a source bone includes a first anchor portion couplable to an anchor bone and a second anchor portion couplable to a distractable bone segment of the source bone. The system includes a distractor coupling the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion. The overall length of the distractor is decreasable to pull the distractable bone segment toward the anchor bone for distracting the bone segment. | 04-29-2010 |
20100105001 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MAXILLO-MANDIBULAR FIXATION - Described herein are various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method for maxillo-mandibular fixation. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for maxillo-mandibular fixation includes a plurality of connectors, a fixation belt, and a release. The connectors include one or more anchors configured to attach to bone and a fixation belt attachment. The fixation belt includes a plurality of fasteners each fastener attachable to a fixation belt attachment and a flexible mesh disposed between the plurality of fasteners. The release is disposed on the fixation belt and has an engaged position restricting movement between the plurality of fasteners and a disengaged position allowing movement between the plurality of fasteners. | 04-29-2010 |
20100105005 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING DENTAL PROSTHESIS - Described herein are various embodiments of a dental prosthesis implant system and associated apparatus and methods that overcome at least some shortcomings of the prior art. According to one representative embodiment, a connector for an implant retained prosthesis includes a first portion securable to a prosthesis and a second portion securable to an implant embeddable within a bone under a gingival layer. The first portion includes a first engagement element. The second portion includes a second engagement element that defines an internal cavity. The first engagement element is positionable within the internal cavity. When the second portion is secured to the implant and the first engagement element is positioned within the internal cavity, at least a portion of the internal cavity and first engagement element is within the gingival layer. In one implementation, the first portion is coupleable to the second portion via a snap-fit connection. | 04-29-2010 |
20100203479 | DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHODS - According to one embodiment, a cannulated dental implant system for implanting a dental implant in bone tissue includes a guide splint having at least one guide sleeve defining a guide channel. The system also includes a guide pin with a bone penetrating end portion. The guide pin is extendable through the guide channel and drivable into bone tissue. Further, the system includes a first drill bit with a first outer diameter and an axial channel sized to receive the guide pin. The first drill bit is rotatable about the guide pin to drill a hole into the bone tissue. The hole has a diameter corresponding with the first outer diameter. The system includes a second drill bit with a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter. The second drill bit further includes an axial channel sized to receive the guide pin. Moreover, the second drill bit is rotatable about the guide pin to enlarge the hole in the bone tissue to correspond with the second outer diameter. Additionally, the system includes a dental implant securable within the enlarged hole. | 08-12-2010 |
20100300017 | Utility land anchor - A utility land anchor for mooring a water craft to a shore or beach or to act as a ground anchor to pull an object, such as an ATV, thereto, that includes a straight shaft that is pointed on one end and is arranged for connecting to a torque producing device, such as a handle or sided driver, on its other end. The shaft includes an auger secured adjacent to the pointed end, and is to loosely fitted into a cylindrical tube wherefrom blades or fins are attached to extend oppositely outwardly from the cylindrical tube sides that are sloped outwardly to facilitate travel into the shore, beach or ground, and a mooring line connector is secured to the cylindrical tube, adjacent to a lower end thereof. | 12-02-2010 |
20110123946 | DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHODS - According to one embodiment, a dental implant system for implanting a dental implant in bone tissue using an implant drill driver includes a shank and a drill guide. The shank is removably coupleable to the implant drill driver and includes an internal passage that has a non-round cross-sectional shape. When coupled to the implant drill driver, the shank is rotatable via operation of the implant drill driver. The drill guide pin includes a bone penetrating end portion and a shank engagement portion. The shank engagement portion includes a notched section having a non-round cross-sectional shape corresponding with the non-round cross-sectional shape of the internal passage of the shank. The notched section of the shank engagement portion is insertable within the internal passage of the shank. Moreover, engagement between the notched section and the internal passage facilitates co-rotation of the shank and drill guide pin. | 05-26-2011 |
20120215232 | SURGICAL FASTENER AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - According to one embodiment, an apparatus for installing and removing a fastener includes a handle and a shank coupled to the handle. The shank includes an external periphery, an interior channel, and at least one fastener engagement element at least partially positionable within the interior channel. The apparatus further includes a wire positioned within the interior channel and an actuator coupled to the wire. The actuator is actuatable to move the wire within the interior channel and into contact with the at least one fastener engagement element to move the at least one fastener engagement element into a fastener engagement position. In the fastener engagement position, at least a portion of the at least one fastener engagement element is positioned external to the external periphery of the shank. | 08-23-2012 |
20120259332 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR INTRA-ORAL DISTRACTION - According to one representative embodiment, a method for distracting a segment of bone from a source bone includes providing a bone distractor that has a first end portion and a second end portion movable relative to each other. The method further includes coupling the first end portion to the segment of bone and coupling the second end portion to an anchor bone opposing the source bone. Additionally, the method includes actuating the bone distractor to move the first and second end portions closer to each other and pull the segment of bone toward the anchor bone. The method can also include fixing the source bone relative to the anchor bone. Further, the method can include positioning the bone distractor to the sides of the source bone, anchor bone, and a gingival layer covering the bones. | 10-11-2012 |