Patent US3955400A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3955400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Viscous damper and method for determining the rotational position of a weight thereof
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-27
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Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A viscous damper comprises an annular inertia weight rotatably mounted in a housing adapted for attachment to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Position indicating means are formed on the weight to determine the rotational position thereof, relative to the housing. Such determination is made by marking the outside of the housing with an indicia in alignment with the position indicating means formed on the weight, rotating and subsequently stopping the housing, and measuring the misalignment, if any, occurring therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/10; F16F15/16; F16F15/167; F16F15/173; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2121; Y10T74/2122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A torsional vibration engine damper adapted for attachment to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine comprising a closed annular housing, an inertia weight freely rotatably mounted in and relative to said housing in unattached relationship therewith and defining clearances therebetween adapted to retain a damping fluid therein and indicia means on said weight for indicating the rotational position thereof relative to a specific location on said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A torsional vibration engine damper adapted for attachment to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine comprising a closed annular housing, an inertia weight freely rotatably mounted in and relative to said housing in unattached relationship therewith and defining clearances therebetween adapted to retain a damping fluid therein and indicia means on said weight for indicating the rotational position thereof relative to a specific location on said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The damper of claim 1 wherein said damper is attached to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The damper of claim 1 further comprising a viscous silicone fluid retained in said housing between said weight and said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The damper of claim 1 wherein said indicia means constitutes a small patch of material secured on said weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The damper of claim 4 wherein said patch constitutes a radio-active material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The damper of claim 4 wherein said patch constitutes a magnetic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The damper of claim 4 wherein said patch is positioned on an outboard side of said weight.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for determining the rotational position of a weight rotatably mounted in a closed opaque housing of a damper comprising the steps of placing first indicia on said weight, first sensing the rotational position of said first indicia, marking the outside of said housing with second indicia to indicate the relative rotational position of said first indicia, rotating and stopping said housing, and second sensing the relative rotational positions of said first and second indicia to note any misalignment therebetween.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for determining the rotational position of a weight rotatably mounted in a closed opaque housing of a damper comprising the steps of placing first indicia on said weight, first sensing the rotational position of said first indicia, marking the outside of said housing with second indicia to indicate the relative rotational position of said first indicia, rotating and stopping said housing, and second sensing the relative rotational positions of said first and second indicia to note any misalignment therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of attaching said damper to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine prior to the steps of rotating and stopping said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said placing step comprises securing a patch of radio-active material on said weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said placing step comprises securing a patch of magnetic material on said weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said second sensing step comprises positioning a detecting means adjacent to an outboard side of said damper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |