Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8105171 | Torque limiting mechanism A high-precision torque limiting mechanism capable of limiting an output torque to a magnitude of not more than a prescribed value, as well as to reduce a frictional torque produced upon occurrence of a slip. To accomplish this object, a ball ramp section (13... | 01/31/2012 |
| 8062137 | Constant velocity joint with torque overload protection An exemplary constant velocity joint includes a first member and a second member rotatably engaging the first member. A clutch pack is disposed between and engages the first and second members. A fastener is used to attach the first member to the second member. The ... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8028778 | Hybrid vehicle having torsional coupling between engine assembly and motor-generator A hybrid vehicle has a power system with a torsional coupling. The power system includes a battery system for receiving, storing and providing electrical power, an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational power through a flywheel, a first motor-ge... | 10/04/2011 |
| 7927219 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus provided between a driving source and a transmission and transmitting torque from the driving source to the transmission, the apparatus absorbing fluctuations in the torque and limiting a maximum value of the torque, the appa... | 04/19/2011 |
| 7828663 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus including a limiter mechanism includes: a disc member connected to one of the driving-side member and the driven-side member, a first plate and a second plate connected to the other one of the driving-side member and the driv... | 11/09/2010 |
| 7766752 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus provided between a driving source and a transmission and transmitting torque from the driving source to the transmission, the apparatus absorbing fluctuations in the torque and limiting a maximum value of the torque, the appa... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7534170 | Slipper clutch for a model vehicle A model vehicle slipper clutch is provided, comprising a spur gear for receiving torque from an actuator, a clutch driver plate secured to the spur gear for receiving torque from the spur gear, a transmission input shaft for transmitting torque from the slipper clut... | 05/19/2009 |
| 7425181 | Torque fluctuation absorbing device A torque fluctuation absorbing device includes a first rotational member which transmits a torque from a driving power source, a damping mechanism connected with an input shaft of a transmission, the damping mechanism having a pair of frictional members of approxima... | 09/16/2008 |
| 7377853 | Torque fluctuation absorbing device A torque fluctuation absorbing device includes a damping mechanism connected with an input shaft of a transmission. The damping mechanism has an approximately annular-shaped frictional member, which is fixed to both surfaces of a disc disposed at outer peripheral po... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7367892 | Actuator with torque limiter An actuator includes: at least one drive motor; an outlet (22); an adjustable torque limiter which is disposed between the/each motor and the outlet (22), the torque limiter having a mobile element (100) which is used to set the maximum torque t... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7322890 | Steering coupler A steering coupling reduces the rotational force felt by a driver should the wheels impact an obstacle. The coupling is particularly suited for vehicles comprising simple, single-unit steering assemblies. The coupling permits a certain amount of slippage between the... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7238111 | Damper unit with torque limiter The invention eliminates the need of handling an engine in a process for assembling a torsion damper which couples the engine with a power transmission system and a torque limiter. In a damper unit with a torque limiter positioned between an output shaft of an engin... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7207887 | Torque fluctuation absorbing device A torque fluctuation absorbing device includes a first rotational member transmitted with a torque from a driving power source, a damping mechanism connected with an input shaft of a transmission, the damping mechanism having a pair of frictional members of approxim... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7191882 | Power transmitting apparatus A power transmitting apparatus which can reduce the number of parts in the apparatus and simplify the structure of the apparatus and thus reduce the manufacturing cost of the apparatus as well as reduce the size of the apparatus when compared with its torque transmi... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7169054 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus having structure for reducing misalignment of torque limiter during assembling thereof, and method for assembling the same A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus provided between a crankshaft of an engine and a driven-side input shaft includes a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft and a damper assembly disposed in a torque transmission path between the flywheel and the driven-side inpu... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7155328 | Device and method for determining gearbox positions in an automatic gearbox A device and a method for determining positions of an automatic gearbox comprises a notched disk (1), an adjustment device for rotating the notched disk (1), a first sensor (14) for measuring the applicable torque, a second sensor (16) fo... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7137329 | Circular saw clutch assembly A circular saw clutch assembly includes an elongated rod that is coupled to a table saw assembly. A peripheral flange is integrally attached to the rod. The flange has a plurality of ball bearings mounted therein. A first washer abuts the flange and includes a plura... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7044024 | Apparatus and method for servo control of an aircraft Autopilot control of an aircraft is accomplished using a servo wherein the input shaft and output shaft are collinear. In one embodiment, the output shaft is supported, in part, by the input shaft. In further embodiments an engage clutch mechanism is provided to all... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7018314 | Engine starter with impact absorber An engine starter equipped with an impact absorber. The impact absorber is arranged between a planetary gear train and an overrunning clutch of the starter. The absorber includes a friction plate which is disposed between a clutch outer and a carrier plate of the ov... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6976920 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus having structure for reducing misalignment of torque limiter during assembling thereof, and method for assembling the same A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a flywheel coupled to an engine crankshaft, a damper assembly disposed between the flywheel and the driven-side input shaft and including a pair of drive plates, a driven plate and spring dampers, and a torque limite... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6923725 | Torque fluctuation absorber A torque fluctuation absorber which is unlikely applied with an foreign material such as dust on a limiter portion during transporting the torque fluctuation absorber. The torque fluctuation absorber includes a flywheel for transmitting a driving force from a power ... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6887160 | Shock absorber A shock absorber for a starter is presented. The shock absorber includes a rotary disk, a stationary disk and a disk spring. The rotary disk is pressed by the disk spring against a stationary disk to generate frictional force when the rotary disk is rotated by an ex... | 05/03/2005 |
| RE38606 | Clutch mechanism for reciprocating saws A reciprocating saw including a housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocating motion within the housing, a gear rotatably mounted within the housing, a wobble shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, a wobble plate rotatably mounted on the wobble shaft and connect... | 10/05/2004 |
| 6776718 | Clutching device for a crane A clutching device has a main shaft, a hub, a pushing disk and a transmitting gear. The hub is securely attached to the main shaft and has a shoulder formed on one end of the hub. The pushing disk is securely attached to the hub. The transmitting gear is rotatably m... | 08/17/2004 |
| 6623395 | Torque limiting chain sprocket assembly A chain sprocket assembly for use in a motor vehicle transfer case having an inter-axle differential includes a torque limiting clutch which limits the torque provided to a secondary drive line. The chain sprocket assembly includes a chain receiving hub h... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6582312 | Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus having structure for reducing misalignment of torque limiter during assembling thereof, and method for assembling the same A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a flywheel coupled to an engine crankshaft, a damper assembly disposed between the flywheel and the driven-side input shaft and including a pair of drive plates, a driven plate and spring dampers, and a to... | 06/24/2003 |
| 6575282 | Yaw damper for a two wheel drive motor vehicle A yaw damper for a front wheel drive vehicle provides torque transfer between the two non-driven wheels and generates a damping yaw moment in opposition to the current vehicle yaw condition. The yaw damper is passive and includes a mechanical clutch or fl... | 06/10/2003 |
| 6572479 | Shock absorber A shock absorber for a starter is presented. The shock absorber includes a rotary disk, a stationary disk and a disk spring. The rotary disk is pressed by the disk spring against a stationary disk to generate frictional force when the rotary disk is rotat... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6378678 | Twin mass flywheel assemblies A twin mass flywheel assembly in the form of a twin mass flywheel (12), a clutch cover (11) attached to the flywheel, a clutch driven plate (19), a clutch pressure plate (14), and spring means (18) supported from the cover to clamp the driven plate betwee... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6364773 | Torque limiter having cover with internal projecting portions to support forcing member of limiter plate A power steering system to reduce the moment of inertia of the torque limiter and to accurately determine pressing force by a forcing member is provided. The torque limiter has a substantially-cylindrical limiter cover combined with and rotatable together... | 04/02/2002 |
| 6280331 | Torque limiting slip clutch apparatus for cable reel drive assembly A torque limiting slip clutch apparatus for a cable reel drive assembly includes an elongated input drive shaft, annular rotary drive member, annular drive plate, friction generating disc element and biasing force generating spring mechanism. The drive sh... | 08/28/2001 |
| 6231448 | Power steering system A power steering system to reduce the moment of inertia of the torque limiter and to accurately determine pressing force by a forcing member is provided. The torque limiter of the system has a basic structure in which a substantially-cylindrical rotating ... | 05/15/2001 |
| 6200221 | Power transmission apparatus In a power transmission apparatus, a torque limiter mechanism has a plurality of holding portions, a disc plate and a flange, and an elastic member. The plurality of holding portions are fixed to either one of a pulley and a hub and aligned substantially ... | 03/13/2001 |
| 6190258 | Torque limiter clutch A multiple disc torque limiting clutch has an output hub in interference fit upon an output shaft. After being so assembled, as by a heat shrink fit, the output hub and shaft can be received by the remainder of the torque limiting clutch, consisting of in... | 02/20/2001 |
| 6109125 | Linear drive mechanism including a slip clutch A linear drive mechanism includes a cylindrical hollow housing within which a movable body is mounted for guided collinear movement by drive mechanism including a cable drum that is driven by a drive device having an output shaft, characterized by the pro... | 08/29/2000 |
| 6076413 | Motor vehicle starter with an epicyclic reducing gear train including a torque limiting device A starter for a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor having an output shaft which drives a coaxial starter head through a speed reducer. The speed reducer incorporates an epicyclic gear train, including a cylindrical casing within which the internall... | 06/20/2000 |
| 5846133 | Adjustable torque clutch for remote controlled circuit breakers An adjustable torque clutch assembly is provided for use in a motor operator. The clutch assembly includes a cylinder ring disposed between upper and lower clutch plates and houses a pair of friction discs, a drive plate disposed between the friction disc... | 12/08/1998 |
| 5803811 | Torque overload clutch and clutch plate A dry plate torque overload clutch for a driveline has a clutch plate with knurled surfaces that are impressed into the facing surfaces of friction discs to strengthen and support the friction disc material so as to resist being squeezed out from between ... | 09/08/1998 |
| 5762556 | Adjustable free motion clutch An adjustable free motion friction clutch assembly having an input end and an output end. The input end includes a splined drive hub for receiving therein a splined power shaft and the drive hub is freely rotatable through a predetermined angle relative t... | 06/09/1998 |
| 5695032 | Hydraulic clutch system with flywheel A flywheel (FW) includes a front cover as a first mass member (102), an inner plate as a second mass member (104), and a coiled spring as a damper member (106) which is interposed between the first and second mass members. A clutch or a clutch body (108) ... | 12/09/1997 |
