| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090014130 | Photovoltaic awning system - A deployable and retractable photovoltaic awning assembly is formed from a flexible sheet of photovoltaic devices attached to a rotatable roll at one end and a boom at the other. A pair of side support tubes are provided with tracks that receive slides maintained on opposite ends of the boom. At least one of the slides is axially movable with respect to the boom, ensuring engagement of the slides in the tracks as the boom is moved away from and toward the roll during deployment and retraction of the flexible sheet. In this regard, the slides are mounted on pins through articulated joints of the spherical/universal type. The sheet of flexible voltaic devices is preferably transmissive as to light wave lengths in the range required for vegetation photosynthesis, and absorbert for all other ranges, allowing the awning to be deployed over vegetated areas, without interference with the photosynthesis process. Moreover, the awning may be retractable in periods of rain or the like, ensuring that the vegetation is properly and naturally attended. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20100012409 | DRIVE MODULES FOR VEHICLES - An oil cooled electric drive module for hybrid vehicles includes an AC motor assembly having a shaft parallel to an output shaft, with the shafts being interconnected by a set of helical reduction gears. The motor shaft is provided with a rotary union for cooling oil that passes first axially and then radially through the shaft to an outer circumferential surface thereof beneath the core of a rotor attached thereto. The cooling oil passes beneath the rotor to the outer ends thereof, where annular deflectors disburse the oil to provide a coanda effect over the shorting rings of the rotor, onto the stator windings, and thence onto the motor housing for return to a cooling sump, which may include hydraulic and electric pumps for further desired cooling circulation. The invention also includes solenoid valves for shifting a splined collar between positions of interconnection and disconnection between the motor shaft and output shaft. The module of the invention is adapted for interpositioning within the drive shaft of a motor vehicle, with the output shaft of the module being connected at opposite ends to the vehicle drive shaft. The module is employed in various drive systems employing segmented shafts and multiple gear ratio clutch and gear assemblies. The clutch assemblies are of the dog type, and are spring loaded with a neutral position, hydraulic cushioning and synchronized control. The clutch assemblies operate for various interconnections between the various segments of a drive shaft and the shafts of one or more motor/generators. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100013329 | Oil cooled electric drive module for hybrid vehicles - An oil cooled electric drive module for hybrid vehicles includes an AC motor assembly having a shaft parallel to an output shaft, with the shafts being interconnected by a set of helical reduction gears. The motor shaft is provided with a rotary union for cooling oil that passes first axially and then radially through the shaft to an outer circumferential surface thereof beneath the core of a rotor attached thereto. The cooling oil passes beneath the rotor to the outer ends thereof, where annular deflectors disburse the oil to provide a coanda effect over the shorting rings of the rotor, onto the stator windings, and thence onto the motor housing for return to a cooling sump, which may include hydraulic and electric pumps for further desired cooling circulation. The invention also includes solenoid valves for shifting a splined collar between positions of interconnection and disconnection between the motor shaft and output shaft. The module of the invention is adapted for interpositioning within the drive shaft of a motor vehicle, with the output shaft of the module being connected at opposite ends to the vehicle drive shaft. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20110120830 | COMPACT DISC SPRING TORQUE LIMITER - A compact disc spring torque limiting clutch has an input hub and an output hub having a friction pack that is removable from the input hub as an entire unit to facilitate servicing and repair. The force actuator of the torque limiting clutch is a Belleville spring or machined disc spring that is operatively interposed between the input hub and the friction pack. The deflection of the Belleville spring during the useful life of the friction pack is within the flat portion of the force vs. deflection curve and establishes a characteristic breakaway torque for the torque limiting clutch. The use of a Belleville spring significantly reduces the axial dimension of the torque limiting clutch, adapting it for use in applications where space is at a premium. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20120045335 | WIND TURBINE TORQUE LIMITING CLUTCH SYSTEM - A wind turbine power generating system includes a wind turbine connected to a speed increasing gearbox having an output shaft. An electrical generator having an input shaft is also provided. An asymmetrical coupling interconnects the input and output shafts. The coupling includes a first torque limiting clutch in series connection with a one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. A second torque limiting clutch is provided in parallel connection with the one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. The first and second torque limiting clutches have different characteristic slip torques. The interconnection of the clutches, and the implementation of the one-way clutch, provides for effective operation of the first and second torque limiting clutches in opposite rotational directions of the input and output shafts. The second torque limiting clutch has a characteristic slip torque that is a fraction of the first torque limiting clutch, the second torque limiting clutch providing protection against reverse impulse loads. | 02-23-2012 |
