Patents Examined by Richard Drake
  • Patent number: 9803663
    Abstract: Provided is an electro-hydraulic control system (10) for controlling the movement of a third structure (18) of an engine using a power actuator (26) mountable to the third structure (18), a telescoping fluid porting tube (24) for porting a fluid to the power actuator (26) and a control valve (22) for controlling the flow of movement to effect the movement of the third structure (18). In this way, the third structure (18), such as a nozzle slat of an engine, may be moved via a compact and lightweight electro-hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Scott VanderVeen, Julian Douglas Voss
  • Patent number: 9796369
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for braking a vehicle, including a master cylinder device having a fluid-flow permission mechanism that permits a flow of a working fluid between an inter-piston chamber and a low-pressure source, wherein, when a pressure of the working fluid to be supplied to a brake device exceeds a set pressure upon advancing in association with an advancing movement of a brake operation member, a closing and opening mechanism for hermetically closing the inter-piston chamber and opening an opposing chamber to the low-pressure source is controlled so as to hermetically close the inter-piston chamber, while, when the pressure of the working fluid becomes lower than a set pressure upon retracting in association with a retracting movement of the brake operation member, the fluid-flow permission mechanism is controlled so as to permit the flow of the working fluid between the inter-piston chamber and the low-pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Yasuji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9797305
    Abstract: A vehicle drive includes a speed change mechanism connected to a rotary electric machine; an output member connected to the speed change mechanism and wheels; an engagement device changes a state of engagement between an input member connected to an engine and the speed change mechanism; a hydraulic pump driven by the engine or the rotary electric machine; a first pressure control device that controls pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the speed change mechanism; a second, separate hydraulic pressure control device that controls the pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the engagement device; and a case that houses the rotary electric machine, speed change mechanism, engagement device, and pump. At least the engagement device is housed in a space formed by the case, and the second hydraulic pressure control device is provided at a part of the case forming the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikio Iwase, Daiki Suyama, Naoya Jinnai, Kensuke Wada, Yuji Inoue, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 9790966
    Abstract: A shuttle valve connects a second flowpath and a drain flowpath when the hydraulic pressure in a first flowpath is greater than the hydraulic pressure in the second flowpath. The shuttle valve connects the first flowpath and the drain flowpath when the hydraulic pressure in a second flowpath is greater than the hydraulic pressure in the first flowpath. The ratio between the pressure receiving area of a first pressure section and the pressure receiving area of a second pressure section is the same as the ratio between the pressure receiving area of a first chamber side and the pressure receiving area of a second chamber side of a cylinder rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Akiyama, Noboru Iida, Koji Saito, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9777753
    Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a shape controller controls the shape of a bladder as the bladder inflates. The shape controller includes a first set of regions and a second set of regions. The second set of regions is more flexible than the first set of regions. The shape controller is embedded within, or adjacent to, a wall of the bladder. When the bladder is inflated, the overall shape of the bladder bends in areas adjacent to the more flexible regions of the shape controller. For example, the shape controller may comprise paper and the more flexible regions may comprise creases in the paper. Or, for example, the more flexible regions may comprise notches or indentations. In some implementations of this invention, a multi-state shape display changes shape as it inflates, with additional bumps forming as pressure in the display increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ryuma Niiyama, Lining Yao, Jifei Ou, Sean Follmer, Hiroshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9772018
    Abstract: There is provided a working machine which is capable of vehicle speed control through accelerator pedal operation even during execution of work under a condition where engine rotational speed is maintained constant. The working machine has the normal mode for exercising vehicle speed control by controlling engine rotational speed on the basis of the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and by controlling the swash plate of the HST pump on the basis of the engine rotational speed, and the attachment mode for exercising vehicle speed control by controlling the swash plate of the HST pump on the basis of the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal irrespective of engine rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aizawa, Makoto Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9765754
    Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of pressure waves for seismic surveys in marine environment comprising a cylinder (3), defining an axis, in which a striker piston (1) and a pump piston (2) are situated, each having two respective opposite sides with respect to said axis, of which a side of the striker piston (1) situated in front of the pump piston (2) is defined first impact side, and a side of the pump piston (2) in front of the striker piston (1) is defined second impact side, the pump piston (2) and the striker piston (1) sliding in the cylinder (3) in a direction parallel to the axis, and the pump piston (2) and striker piston (1) being such as to strike against each other, by means of the first and the second impact sides, the striker piston (1) being driven by activation means pressing on the side opposite to its own impact side, wherein the cylinder (3) comprises, at one of its ends, a chamber (15) having a diameter larger, smaller or equal to that of the portion of cylinder (3) in which the striker pist
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Carcaterra, Davide Calcagni, Stefano Carlo Luigi Sandroni, Francesca Gaia Brega
  • Patent number: 9765763
    Abstract: A device is described for receiving and dispensing hydraulic fluid, in particular for a hybrid or electric vehicle, having a cylinder, a piston, which is movable in the cylinder for receiving and dispensing hydraulic fluid, and a drive unit; a ramp mechanism being provided, having at least one ramp on which at least one rolling element rolls for moving the piston, the ramp mechanism being situated between a face of the piston and a face of a gearwheel driven by the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Bertram Foitzik, Willi Nagel
  • Patent number: 9746100
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pneumatically drivable actuator for setting a position of a valve closure element in a valve, comprising a piston, which is moveable in a pressure chamber by influence of a drive gas, and a locking mechanism for mechanically locking the piston relative to the pressure chamber. The actuator further comprises a ventilation device for venting the drive gas from the pressure chamber while the piston is mechanically locked relative to the pressure chamber, such that pressurization of the pressure chamber is prevented. A method of locking a valve closure element relative to a valve body of a valve that is controllable by a pneumatically driven actuator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NAF AB
    Inventors: Karsten Aldmo, Per Lundqvist
  • Patent number: 9745725
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for improving excavating operation characteristic and grading operation characteristic of an excavator. The apparatus includes a solenoid valve group and a hydraulically controlled selector valve. An oil controlling output A1 of the solenoid valve group is configured in series with oil controlling input a1 of the hydraulic control valve. An oil controlling output A2 of the solenoid valve group is configured in series with a pilot control end XBa2 of a multi-port valve group. An oil return port T1 of the solenoid valve group is connected to the hydraulic oil tank. An oil controlling output b1 of the hydraulically controlled selector valve is connected to a pilot control end XAb2 of the multiplexer valve group, and an oil return port T2 of the hydraulically controlled selector valve is connected with the hydraulic oil tank. The apparatus improves operational efficiency and control comfortability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: XCMG EXCAVATOR MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Hong Zhang, Shengxia Zhang, Kai Liu, Zong Li, Jian Zhang, Mingjun Liao, Jiasheng Qin, Yufeng Yang
  • Patent number: 9745972
    Abstract: A drive train (1) includes an internal combustion engine (2) and working hydraulics (4) having at least one hydraulic pump (7). When operated as a pump, the hydraulic pump (7) sucks hydraulic fluid from a tank (9) and delivers into a delivery line (10) that leads to the working hydraulics (4). When operated as a motor, the hydraulic pump (7) is supplied with hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic accumulator (25). The drive train (1) has a charge pump (20) to supply a charging circuit (23). The charge pump (20), when operated as a pump, sucks hydraulic fluid out of the tank (9) and delivers into a charge pressure line (22) that leads to a charging circuit (23), and the charge pump (20) when operated as a motor is supplied with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic accumulator (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lukas Krittian, Martin Steigerwald, Martin Oberhausser, Alfred Langen
  • Patent number: 9719521
    Abstract: A gas supply system for a mechanical seal turns on the gas supply at a pressurized flow rate at the time of compressor case pressurization and remains on during compressor rotation until pressure is adequate. The gas supply system has an intensifier that includes a pair of mechanically inter-connected pneumatic pressure cylinders which comprise a drive cylinder that affects movement of a boost cylinder wherein the displacement of these mechanically interconnected pistons in the drive cylinder and boost cylinder intensifies the pressure being discharged by the boost cylinder and supplied as a barrier fluid to the mechanical seal. The intensifier uses a control valve and operating system which includes a fast-acting 5/2-way solenoid valve having a feedback loop connected to a control system which includes a microprocessor that controls valve actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: John Sears, Vladimir Bakalchuk, Luis Figueroa
  • Patent number: 9709080
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary vane actuator that includes a stator having at least one vane stop and a rotor having vanes projecting from a central shaft. The vane is adapted to contact said stop of the stator, and a high pressure chamber is defined by the stator and a first side of the vane and a low pressure chamber on a second side of the vane. The actuator further includes at least a first aperture connected to the high pressure chamber a second aperture connected to the low pressure chamber. A fluid flow passage connects the first aperture in the high pressure chamber to the second aperture in the low pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Rosplock, Christopher J. Leeson
  • Patent number: 9683585
    Abstract: A hydraulic driving system includes a hydraulic pump, a driving source, a hydraulic cylinder, a closed circuit hydraulic path between the pump and cylinder, a pump-flow-rate control unit controlling a discharge flow rate of the pump, a flow rate control valve between the pump and the cylinder in the fluid path, a directional control unit, a target flow rate setting unit and a control device. The directional control unit allows a flow of fluid from the pump to the cylinder and prohibits a flow of fluid from the cylinder to the pump when fluid is supplied from the pump to the cylinder via the flow rate control valve. The control device controls fluid flow to the cylinder with the flow rate control valve when the target flow rate is within a prescribed range, and with the pump-flow-rate control unit when the target flow rate is greater than the prescribed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Akiyama, Noboru Iida, Koji Saito, Takayuki Watanabe, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9670915
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a side-by-side (SBS) piston pump may define a pump cavity enclosing first and second piston pumps having parallel longitudinal axes. The housing assembly may include a shroud partially or wholly separating the piston pumps to substantially reduce churning of lubricating fluid flow flowing around the piston pumps and pooling in a fluid intersection area between the piston pumps. The shroud may be a planar shroud plate extending between the piston pumps, or a curved shroud plate between the piston pumps and having sections partially encircling each of the piston pumps. The shroud may alternatively be first and second shroud portions extending inwardly from the cavity walls and directing the lubricating fluid flows the merge in a combined lubricating fluid flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Tanemura
  • Patent number: 9664189
    Abstract: A hydrostatic piston engine includes an actuating element configured to actuate a brake device to produce a braking force on a rotor of the piston engine. The actuating element is configured to release the brake device when a hydraulic force acts on the actuating element. The hydraulic force prevails in a pressure chamber which is connected to a pressure medium source via a first throttle point. The pressure chamber is also configured to be connected to a pressure medium sink. The hydrostatic piston engine also includes a pressure retention valve device configured to open in a direction of the pressure medium sink. The pressure retention valve device is disposed between the pressure chamber and the pressure medium sink. The opening pressure of the pressure retention valve device is at least equal to the pressure in the pressure chamber which is necessary to release the brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Stoelzer
  • Patent number: 9658626
    Abstract: A method for isolating a fault or blocked work port in an electro-hydraulic system is disclosed. In one step, a system pump is set to a first predetermined pressure and a valve assembly is commanded to a center position. In another step, the center position of the valve is recorded. In one step, the valve assembly is opened to place a work port associated with the valve in fluid communication with the pump, after which a first end position of the valve, a first work port pressure, and a first pump supply pressure are recorded. In another step, the valve assembly is opened to place the work port to a tank reservoir, after which a second end position of the valve and a fluid pressure associated with the work port are recorded. The recorded and measured data can then be analyzed to identify the fault condition or blocked work port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Berne Rannow, Vishal Vijay Mahulkar
  • Patent number: 9657568
    Abstract: Improvements to the steam engine for the purpose of small scale generation of electricity using biomass fuels and for co-generation of heat and electricity using biomass fuels in both developed and less developed countries are described. The engine is particularly well adapted to co-generation where the thermal load, as in building heating and many process applications, is extremely variable, because of its ability to operate efficiently under partial load. For the same reason, it would be suited to solar generated steam. Experiments have been conducted with steam as the working fluid. The design may in some or all respects be applied to other working fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Village Industrial Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Norman Bielenberg
  • Patent number: 9650232
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic drive apparatus for working machine capable of preventing an excessive pressure reduction on a meter-in side and moving a load in a lowering direction at a stable speed requiring no counter balance valve. The apparatus includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic actuator for lowering the load, an operating device, a hydraulic circuit including a meter-in flow passage, a meter-out flow passage and a regeneration flow passage, a control valve, a meter-in-flow-rate controller for controlling a meter-in flow rate, a meter-out-flow-rate controller for controlling a meter-out flow rate to one not lower than the meter-in flow rate, a back pressure generator located downstream of the regeneration flow passage in the meter-out flow passage, and a meter-out-flow-rate limiter. The meter-out-flow-rate limiter minimizes a flow passage area of the meter-out orifice when a pressure in the meter-in flow passage falls to or below a permissible pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., KOBELCO CRANES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Sugano, Naoto Hori, Takaharu Michida
  • Patent number: 9643579
    Abstract: A primary piston composed of a skirt and an intermediate back wall having a rear face receiving the servobrake thrust rod and a forward face for the telescoping rod and the spring pushing the secondary piston. The front of the skirt has longitudinal grooves open in front and closed in the rear. The thickness of the skirt beneath the grooves and the part of the skirt between two successive grooves in the peripheral direction form a front face enabling the principal piston to push the secondary piston. The principal piston is made of a single piece of plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Rodriguez, Olivier Bernadat, Laurent Lhuillier, Marc Noblet, Julien Gateau, Daniel Grech, Carole Charpentier