Patents Examined by Gregory Prather
  • Patent number: 10040206
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable rigidity robot joint system including a first driving module and a second driving module generating torque which is rotated on a first direction, a first rotating module changing rotations of the first driving module and the second driving module into rotations on a second direction intersecting the first direction when the first and second driving modules rotate in directions in which a joint is rotated in a same direction, thereby rotating the joint, a rigidity-providing member providing rigidity by elastically supporting a rotational movement of the first rotating module on the second direction, and a second rotating module changing rotations of the first driving module and the second driving module into a linear motion in the first direction when the first and second driving modules rotate in directions in which the joint is rotated in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Hyun-Hwan Jeong, Joo-No Cheong, Bong-Ki Kang
  • Patent number: 10011173
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a machine is described. The powertrain system includes a power source configured to provide a torque output. The powertrain system further includes a first drivetrain coupled to the power source, to drive a first set of ground engaging members, and a second drivetrain coupled to the power source to drive the second set of ground engaging members. The powertrain system further includes a controller having one or more lug curve maps defining a maximum allowed torque value of the power source for a current operating condition of the machine. The controller is configured to determine a parasitic load due to the second drivetrain, and adjust the torque output of the power source based on the determined parasitic load to maintain a rimpull performance of the machine, where the adjusted torque output is limited by the maximum allowed torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chad L. Kassube, Balmes Tejeda, Corwin E. Storer
  • Patent number: 9994206
    Abstract: A screw drive for an electromechanical brake booster of a braking system of a motor vehicle includes: a threaded nut; and a threaded spindle engaged with the threaded nut. The threaded nut includes an outer section which is connectable to a drive unit for driving the threaded nut, and an inner section having a thread for accommodating the threaded spindle. The inner section and the outer section of the threaded nut are connected by a damping unit for damping the torsion of the threaded nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Ignaz Hatt, Harald Guggenmos, Ben Ferguson, Remy Garnier
  • Patent number: 9976543
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Brian Orr, Mark Marchie, William Riley
  • Patent number: 9976628
    Abstract: A positioning structure for a worm wheel which is configured to mesh with a worm spindle and contains: a body, a plurality of rolling assemblies, and at least one attaching material. The body includes plural accommodating grooves and plural recesses, wherein each recess forms on a bottom face of each accommodating groove and communicating with said each accommodating groove. Each rolling assembly includes a holder, a rolling ball, and a magnetic attracting element, wherein a width of the holder is less than a width of said each accommodating groove so as to form a gap between the holder and said each accommodating groove. Each attaching material is filled in the gap, and said each rolling assembly is adjustably moved to a fixing position of said each accommodating groove by using said each recess, such that said each attaching material locates the holder in said each accommodating groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: INNOSERV FA INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Chuan Chiu, Chih-Meng Wu
  • Patent number: 9970519
    Abstract: A circulation member positioning structure for a ball screw includes a nut and a circulation member. The nut has a threaded channel, a socket, and a positioning notch. The socket is provided on a wall of the threaded channel and the positioning notch is provided on a wall of socket. The circulation member has a circulation portion, a circulation track, and a positioning protrusion. The circulation portion is provided in the socket of the nut. The circulation track is distributed over one lateral of the circulation portion and connects with the threaded channel of the nut. The positioning protrusion is provided on an opposite lateral of the circulation portion for being engaged with the positioning notch of the nut. Thereby, the circulation member positioning structure helps to simplify the assembling work of the circulation member and to remain the nut small despite the insertion of the circulation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Yao Lin, Yu-Hua Chen, Hui-Chen Chen, Tsung-Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 9933065
    Abstract: A shift fork shaft 123 has both end portions movably fitted in shaft supports 83e and 116a of a gear transmission 82. Clearances are left between bottom surfaces 83g and 116c of the shaft supports 83e and 116a and both end faces 123c of the shift fork shaft 123. Caps 145 are mounted in both axial ends of the shift fork shaft 123.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Makita, Yasushi Fujimoto, Taku Hirayama, Hirokazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9890850
    Abstract: A transmission device with a hydraulic system includes a pump device, a primary pressure circuit, and at least one additional pressure circuit supplied with hydraulic fluid by the pump device. The pump device is coupled to and driven by a transmission input shaft. A first pump unit of the pump device is connected to and driven by the transmission input shaft. A second pump unit of the pump device is connected to and driven by a transmission output shaft. A pressure side of the first pump unit is connected to the primary pressure circuit, and is connectable to the additional pressure circuit, while a pressure side of the second pump unit is connected to the additional pressure circuit, and is able to be coupled with the primary pressure circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Rainer Novak
  • Patent number: 9879761
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a powershift transmission may include an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, and an output shaft operably connected to a transmission housing. The powershift transmission may include a plurality of gears and clutches arranged on the shafts resulting in twenty-seven forward modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas H. Vu
  • Patent number: 9874271
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement including a torque converter, a first shaft fixed to rotate with a turbine of the torque converter about an axis, a second shaft fixed to rotate with a casing of the torque converter about said axis, a gear mounted on the first shaft and being fixed to rotate with the first shaft and a clutch selectively engageable to cause the first shaft to be fixed to rotate with the second shaft and being selectively disengageable to allow the first shaft to rotate relative to the second shaft, the clutch being rotatable about said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventor: Steve Hughes
  • Patent number: 9850689
    Abstract: A cable fitting includes a hollow cylinder sized to receive a portion of a sheath therein; and a lever including a blade supported on the cylinder; a pivot about which the blade pivots; an engagement member secured to the blade and spaced from the pivot in a first direction; and a tab secured to the blade and including a surface spaced from the pivot in a second direction opposite the first direction and on which force can be applied to elastically pivot the engagement member away from an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kristyna Salamey, Richard K. Mette
  • Patent number: 9845867
    Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a lever includes a member being connected on at least one of its ends to a cable end piece that is fitted sliding into a fixed sheath end piece. The device comprises a magnet fitted inside a pipe that constitutes the cable end piece and a Hall Effect Sensor positioned on one part of the sheath end piece in order to detect the movement between the cable end piece and the sheath end piece, which corresponds to a movement of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventor: Thomas Farges
  • Patent number: 9834078
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a first/second/third rotary shaft, and a positioning member. The first rotary shaft is connected to an output shaft of a drive source. The second rotary shaft is spline-fitted to a rotary shaft of an electric motor. The third rotary shaft is connected to the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft. The positioning member is configured to apply an elastic force in a rotational direction to the rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft in a portion where the rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft overlap each other; set each of a position in the rotational direction of a spline of the rotary shaft of the electric motor and a spline of the second rotary shaft to a specified position, and applies the elastic force in the rotational direction to the rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruo Isomura
  • Patent number: 9822535
    Abstract: Segment of an articulated arm made of composite material, with an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis, and having a box-like cross section. The segment includes a first end portion, configured for the pivoting of a further segment, a second intermediate portion configured for the pivoting of an actuation member, and a third end portion. The first, second and third portions are made in a single body. The second intermediate portion includes a protruding zone defined by a first side and by a second side converging with respect to each other to define a top. Pivoting elements are provided in the protruding zone for the pivoting of the actuation member between the protruding zone and the first end portion. The first and the second side defining the protruding zone are filleted to substantially rectilinear adjacent tracts of the first and third end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CIFA SPA
    Inventors: Paolo Dario Maini, Nicola Pirri
  • Patent number: 9816600
    Abstract: A slew drive includes a housing, a worm shaft having a worm thread carried within the housing for rotational movement and a torque tube having an outer surface. The torque tube is carried by the housing for rotational movement perpendicularly to the worm shaft and worm thread. A ring gear section having teeth is carried by the torque tube with the teeth engaging the worm threads. An inner raceway is fabricated as an integral part of the torque tube. An outer raceway is fabricated as an integral part of the housing, the outer raceway radially overlying the inner raceway, and bearing elements captured between the inner raceway and the outer raceway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KINEMATICS, LLC
    Inventor: Brent Morgan
  • Patent number: 9803727
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic arm is provided including a linkage assembly and a strap drive train. The linkage assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled in series together at first, second, and third joints to define a parallelogram with an insertion axis. The strap drive train includes first and second sets of straps coupled to the linkage assembly. As the linkage assembly is moved about a pitch axis, the first set of straps ensures the third link maintains the same angle relative to the first link, and the first and second set of straps ensures the fourth link maintains the same angle relative to the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9802323
    Abstract: A motor-driven articulated haptic interface arm includes: a frame; an arm linked to the frame and rotationally mobile about an axis; and a motor, which delivers at least one torque about the axis countering at least one part of forces applied to the arm by its environment. A main transmission transmits the torque to the arm and includes a capstan-type cable reducer, and an auxiliary transmission transmits the torque to the arm. The auxiliary transmission is capable of taking at least two states: an inactive state, when the forces applied to the arm by its environment are below a predetermined threshold, in which the auxiliary transmission transmits no torque to the arm; and an active state when the forces applied to the arm by its environment are higher than a predetermined threshold, in which the main transmission transmits no torque to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HAPTION
    Inventor: Francois Louveau
  • Patent number: 9803658
    Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic control device for a rotating electrical machine and associated gear mechanism. Oil passages are configured with relief valves such that a first relief valve discharges oil in a first oil passage when an oil pressure in the first oil passage located downstream of a throttle portion becomes higher than a predetermined first set oil pressure, and a second relief valve allows a part of the second oil passage which is located upstream of the second relief valve to communicate with a part of the second oil passage which is located downstream of the second relief valve when an oil pressure in the second oil passage located upstream of the second relief valve becomes higher than a predetermined second set oil pressure set higher than the first set oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Matsushita, Hironari Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9797509
    Abstract: A transfer case having a shift mechanism. The shift mechanism may include a shift rail, a range shift assembly, a mode shift assembly, and a sector cam. The sector cam may control movement of the range shift assembly and the mode shift assembly when the sector cam is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Todd R. Ekonen, Matthew Starna, Laura Klemm, Ed Eshelman
  • Patent number: 9783036
    Abstract: A twin-wheel drive module for driving two vehicle wheels which are disposed spaced axially from one another and rotatable around two axes of rotation aligned with one another. For driving each vehicle wheel, provision is made for a traction motor having a motor shaft disposed in parallel to the axes of rotation, a transmission having an input shaft which is connected to the motor shaft of the traction motor and an output shaft in alignment with the axes of rotation, and a second transmission. The second transmission has an input shaft, which is connected to the output shaft of the first transmission, and an output shaft which rotates around a common axis of rotation with the input shaft configured to receive the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Lang, Thomas Oehler