Patents Examined by William C. Joyce
  • Patent number: 11285622
    Abstract: A wrist structure of a robot capable of protecting an oil seal of a wrist structure from a high-pressure jet for cleaning or from external foreign matter or the like. A wrist structure of a robot includes a wrist body, a holder attached to the wrist body, a wrist flange rotatably supported by the holder, an oil storage provided between the wrist body and the holder, an oil seal disposed between the holder and the wrist flange and configured to prevent oil from leaking from the oil storage, and a cover that is formed integrally with the holder and that covers the oil seal from the outside between the holder and the wrist flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Matsui
  • Patent number: 11260543
    Abstract: A releasable joint between two component flanges is for use in a robot arm. The flanges have a number of teeth on each part that is pressed into contact by clamps, screws or other means. The releasable joint assembly is suitable for establishing a robot joint between a first and second component each having interlocking annular flange with respective contact surfaces, and where these flanges are held in place by a clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ROBOTS A/S
    Inventor: Steffen Johansen
  • Patent number: 11261964
    Abstract: A multi-directional compliant shifting mechanism for a multi-speed power tool may couple a movable selector to a power transmission system of the tool, for selecting an operational speed of the multi-speed power tool. The complaint shifting mechanism may provide shifting compliance in a first direction in response to movement of the selector in a first direction, and may provide shifting compliance in a second direction in response to movement of the selector in a second direction. In one example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by interaction of the selector with a camming surface, in combination with a single compression spring. In another example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by first and second springs, selectively acting to provide compliance in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Kelleher, Louis Marvin Vasiliades, Matthew Ronald Miller
  • Patent number: 11254017
    Abstract: A mechanical positioning structure includes a first positioning mechanism, a fixing post arranged through a central axis of the first positioning mechanism, a first driving mechanism, a second positioning mechanism rotationally arranged on the fixing post and coupled to the first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism, and a platform. One end of the first driving mechanism is fixed on the fixing post. Another end of the first driving mechanism is slidably arranged on the first positioning mechanism. The second driving mechanism is arranged on the second positioning mechanism. The platform is arranged on the second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism drives the second positioning mechanism to move on a surface of the first positioning mechanism and rotate the second positioning mechanism around the fixing post. The second driving mechanism drives the platform to move on the second positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Song-Hao Liu
  • Patent number: 11241803
    Abstract: A robot for testing lower limb performance of a spacesuit includes a pressure maintaining box, an air circulation component, an air cooling unit, heat radiating hose components, and two mechanical legs. The air cooling unit is connected with the pressure maintaining box; the air circulation component is arranged in the pressure maintaining box; the mechanical legs are installed on the pressure maintaining box, and the heat radiating hose components are arranged in the mechanical legs; air in the pressure maintaining box is cooled through the air cooling unit and delivered into the heat radiating hose components through the air circulation component; each mechanical leg comprises a thigh, a knee joint component, a shank, an ankle joint component and a foot; the thigh is connected with the shank through the knee joint component; the shank is connected with the foot through the ankle joint component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Jinguo Liu, Haodong Chi, Zheng Li, Tiejun Wang, Keli Chen, Qiang Sun, Lei Xiao, Huaqiang Sun, Xiaoyuan Liu, Cao Tong
  • Patent number: 11224488
    Abstract: A surgical robot comprising an articulated arm, the arm having a terminal portion comprising: a distal segment having an attachment for a surgical instrument; an intermediate segment; and a basal segment whereby the terminal portion is attached to the remainder of the arm; a first articulation between the distal segment and the intermediate segment, the first articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the intermediate segment about a first axis; and a second articulation between the intermediate segment and the basal segment, the second articulation permitting relative rotation of the intermediate segment and the basal segment about a second axis; wherein: the intermediate segment comprises a third articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the basal segment about third and fourth axes; and the first, second and third articulations are arranged such that in at least one configuration of the third articulation the first and second axes are parallel and the thir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Luke David Ronald Hares, Steven James Randle
  • Patent number: 11226026
    Abstract: A multispeed turbomachine transmission can include an input shaft and a plurality of input shaft gears disposed on the input shaft. The transmission can include one or more clutch shafts, one or more clutch shaft input gears disposed on the one or more clutch shafts, each meshed with at least one of the plurality of input shaft gears, at least one clutch shaft output gear mounted to each clutch shaft, a clutch connected to each clutch shaft and configured to selectively connect the one or more clutch shaft input gears to the at least one clutch shaft output gear. The transmission can include an output shaft and at least one output shaft gear connected to the output shaft and meshed with the at least one clutch shaft output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Bortoli, Aaron M. Finke, Mark J. Franklin, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11226025
    Abstract: A drivetrain has a first speed path and a third speed path. The first speed path includes a one-way clutch that allows power transmission from the drive shaft toward the driven shaft but prevents power transmission in the opposite direction. The third speed path includes a one-way clutch that allows power transmission from the driven shaft toward the drive shaft but prevents power transmission in the opposite direction. The third speed path further includes a shift clutch member. This can provide a drivetrain capable of performing regenerative control to derive electricity appropriately from an electric motor and also capable of shifting gears smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Yoneda, Asaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11209074
    Abstract: A lower attachment system for a trimmable horizontal stabiliser actuator (THSA) includes a screwshaft forming a part of or coupled to a main screw of the actuator, the screwshaft having an axial direction and a primary ballnut disposed on the screwshaft and forming a part of a primary load path of the lower attachment system. The THSA also includes a lower secondary nut and an upper secondary nut as well as a secondary connection arranged for axial and rotational movement and coupled to each of the lower secondary nut and the upper secondary nut. The secondary connection is arranged to be loaded when the secondary load path is loaded and the secondary load path also includes the upper and lower secondary nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Raphael Medina, Anh-Vu Abdul-Bari
  • Patent number: 11207789
    Abstract: A robotic arm assembly includes a main body, a number of servos arranged within the main body, each of which has an output shaft, and a rotary connection member connected to the output shaft of one of the servos at a first end of the main body. The rotary connection member defines a through hole allows cables to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Youpeng Li, Youjun Xiong, Hongyu Ding, Meichun Liu, Jianxin Pang
  • Patent number: 11204084
    Abstract: A torque transmission device (100) includes a variator of a continuously variable unit (CVU) (20) arranged in parallel with a layshaft gearset (30). The CVU (20) includes a first pulley (22) rotatably coupled to a second pulley (24), and the layshaft gearset (30) includes a first gear element (32) meshingly engaged with an intermediate gear element (34) meshingly engaged with a second gear element (36). A transmission input member (12) is rotatably coupled to the first pulley (22) of the CVU (20), and is selectively rotatably coupled to the first gear element (32) of the layshaft gearset (30) by activation of a first clutch (37). A transmission output member (14) is rotatably coupled to the second pulley (24) of the CVU (20) and rotatably coupled to the second gear element (36) of the layshaft gearset (30). The transmission is disposed to operate in a continuously variable mode when the first clutch (37) is disengaged, and to operate in a fixed gear mode when the first clutch (37) is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chengwu Duan, Jian Yao
  • Patent number: 11198215
    Abstract: A robotic arm assembly having an arm with at least one end effector pivotally connected to the end of the arm. The robotic arm assembly has a continuous belt driven by two motors. Manipulation of the speed and direction of the two motors controls the length of the arm and the tilt of the end effector. A third motor controls the tilt of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Scott, Mark Sullivan, Matthew Werner
  • Patent number: 11195649
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a transmission having an inductor assembly. The inductor assembly is mounted within the transmission such that it is directly cooled by transmission fluid through at least one of spraying, splashing and immersion. The transmission includes at least one gear that is configured to, when rotating, transmit torque between an input and output of the transmission and splash fluid onto the inductor assembly to cool the inductor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Behzad Vafakhah, Brian Richard Light, Brandon Dobbins, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Sudhir Kumar
  • Patent number: 11193570
    Abstract: The variable speed transmission uses multiple fluid couplings to provide a sturdy, durable variable output ratio transmission by using hydraulic fluid to vary the output. Each fluid coupling has an independent output shaft driven by the respective fluid coupling turbine. Output shafts drive alternate gears (i.e., first and third at a first fluid coupling and second and fourth at a second fluid coupling). This configuration alternates gear shifts between the fluid couplings allowing the next gear up or down to be engaged before disengaging the current gear, for uninterrupted gear changes in both up and down shifting. A fifth gear would be driven by a gear connected to the fluid coupling input shafts. Gears could be engaged with hydraulic clutches or syncromesh gears. This combined with variable slip fluid couplings allows for better torque and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: David Johnson
  • Patent number: 11192240
    Abstract: A robot including a second arm supported by a first arm so as to be swingable around an axis line, the second arm has an arm main body supported by the first arm in a swingable manner, and a cover which is attached to the arm main body. The robot further includes an interface member attached to the cover, a cable support member one where end of which is fixed to the arm main body and the other end of which is exposed outside the second arm by passing through a hole or a cutout provided in the interface member, and a seal which seals a space between the cable support member and the interface member and which allows movement of the cable support member in a direction along the axis line with respect to the interface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11187308
    Abstract: An actuator for driving a rotatable component includes a first, rotating member comprising a screw and a second member comprising a nut threaded to said screw, wherein rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said first or second member. The component also includes a third member coupled to the second member, wherein axial movement of said first or second member causes axial movement of said third member and a fourth, rotating member coupled to said third member and connectable to said component. The system also includes a bearing system located between said third member and said fourth member, said bearing system configured to cause said fourth member to rotate upon said axial movement of said third member so as to drive said component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HS WROCLAW SP. Z O. O.
    Inventor: Daniel Trybula
  • Patent number: 11187304
    Abstract: A change-speed transmission for a motor vehicle. The transmission has a first and second subtransmission, which each have a plurality of shiftable gearwheel sets associated therewith. The subtransmissions each have an input shaft and have a joint output shaft. Each of the input shafts are activated alternatingly by, respectively, a first and a second powershift clutch. A reduction gearing effectuating a transmission change is associated with one of the subtransmissions, and the subtransmissions are alternatingly connected by way of a third powershift clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Steffen Hummel
  • Patent number: 11187305
    Abstract: A first slider and a fifth-speed driving gear are arranged along an axial direction on a driving shaft. A shift fork has an end located in a guide groove of a shift drum, and another end connected to the first slider. In gear-shifting to a fifth speed, the first slider moves on the driving shaft so that a plurality of fifth-speed dog projections and a plurality of fifth-speed dog recesses mesh with each other. At least four of the plurality of fifth-speed dog projections and at least four of the plurality of fifth-speed dog recesses mesh within a range of 90 degrees at one side in the circumferential direction of the fifth-speed driving gear and a range of 90 degrees at another side in the circumferential direction of the fifth-speed driving gear with respect to a reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11174925
    Abstract: A dual-shaft driving module includes two shafts and a synchronizing block sandwiched between the two shafts. The two shafts are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially in a mirror symmetrical arrangement. Each shaft has two spiral grooves recessed on an outer surface thereof, and each spiral groove has a spiral angle within a range of 40 degrees to 60 degrees. The synchronizing block includes two concave surfaces arranged on two opposite sides thereof and four driving portions respectively protruding from the two concave surfaces. The two concave surfaces respectively face the two shafts, and each concave surface accommodates a part of the corresponding shaft. The four driving portions are respectively inserted into the four spiral grooves. When one of the two shafts is spun to transmit a force to the synchronizing block, the synchronizing block rotates the other shaft at the same time by the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: An-Szu Hsu, Hsu-Hung Yao, Yi-Cheng Liao
  • Patent number: 11168761
    Abstract: An inner wheel element (15a) is embedded in an outer wheel element (16a), such that a continuous range from an inner diameter side circumferential surface configuring an inner surface of a first annular concave part (22), through an outer circumferential surface of the inner wheel element (15a), to an inner diameter side circumferential surface configuring an inner surface of a second annular concave part (38) in a surface of the inner wheel element (15a) is covered over the entire circumference. Accordingly, a structure is achieved which easily secures a holding power of the synthetic resin outer wheel element with respect to the inner wheel element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kiyota, Takeshi Yamamoto, Kaname Yasuda, Tomohiro Arai, Junichi Takano, Kazuki Hotta