Patents Examined by Xuan Lan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11203394
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic device is basically provided with a base member, a piston, a guide rod and a guide rod seal ring. The base member includes a main body having a cylinder bore and a guide bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore. The guide rod is coupled to the piston to move the piston. The guide rod is movably disposed in the guide bore. The guide rod seal ring is disposed on the guide rod and in sliding contact with the guide bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 11203329
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake master cylinder (12) for a vehicle braking system defines a first smaller fluid path (70, 50, 56, 34, 42, 44) and a second larger fluid path (72, 50, 56, 34, 44, 42) for connecting a working chamber (32) with a fluid reservoir at ambient pressure when the cylinder piston (28) is retracted and the brakes are not applied. A pressure relief valve (76) normally closes the second fluid path but is arranged to open when subject to a pressure differential at or above a threshold value. The first fluid path allows a restricted return flow of fluid to the reservoir should a standard knock-back event occur. If a larger knock-back event occurs causing a fluid pressure spike at or above the threshold value, the pressure relief valve (76) opens to allow a higher volume return flow through the second fluid path to dissipate the pressure quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AP RACING LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Bass
  • Patent number: 11204076
    Abstract: An inertia-actuated valve assembly includes a valve housing, a valve body and a biasing element. The valve housing includes a groove that has an open end fluidically accessible from along one side thereof. The valve housing includes a flow channel extending therethrough in fluid communication with the groove from along an opposing side of the valve housing. The valve body is positioned within the groove of the valve housing such that the valve body and the valve housing are axially co-extensive along at least a portion thereof. The biasing element operatively engages the valve body and generates a biasing force urging the valve body in a first axial direction. The biasing force is greater than a predetermined dynamic gas pressure threshold value multiplied by a pressure area and is less than or approximately equal to a valve body mass multiplied by 2.5 times the nominal acceleration due to gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 11197557
    Abstract: A support structure and vertical isolation structure may include a plurality of spring coils and a mesh network. Each spring coil of the plurality of spring coils includes a spring, a cap, and a floating connector. The cap is configured to engage the spring. The floating connector is disposed in a middle of the spring. The mesh network secures a first spring coil of the plurality of spring coils to a second spring coil of the plurality of spring coils by passing through the floating connector of each of the first spring coil and the second spring coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Steven Bayer
  • Patent number: 11193552
    Abstract: A frequency tuned damper including at least one elastic element, and a method for the assembly of such a damper are disclosed. The damper comprises a deflection limiting mechanism arranged to prevent excessive movements of the elastic element if the damper is subjected to large external transient forces. The at least one elastic element forms part of the deflection limiting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC FORSHEDA AB
    Inventor: Bengt-Göran Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 11181158
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electromechanical brake actuator system comprising an electromechanical brake actuator coupled to a derived position sensor, the derived position sensor comprising a controller, a rotation sensor, and an output drive circuit. In various embodiments, the derived position sensor may be configured to receive a first motor shaft angular velocity at a first time, receive a second motor shaft angular velocity at a second time, calculate a linear translation distance, and sum the linear translation distance and a previous ram position to obtain an actual ram position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, Joseph E Beason, David Drennen
  • Patent number: 11162553
    Abstract: Externally-damped electromechanical valve assemblies well-suited for deployment within high vibratory operating environments, such as those associated with work vehicle engines, are provided. In embodiments, the valve assembly includes a housing through which a flow passage extends, a valve element positioned in the flow passage, a valve actuator, and control electronics electrically coupled to the valve actuator. The valve assembly may also contain a constrained layer damper including a first mass element and a first viscoelastic layer. The first mass element is mounted in suspension to the housing exterior for movement relative thereto when the first mass element is excited by vibrations transmitted through the housing. Constrained between the first mass element and the housing exterior, the first viscoelastic layer deflects in shear as the first mass element moves relative to the housing to attenuate the vibrations transmitted through the housing by conversion of vibrational energy to heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Corey Smith, Bunpreet Singh, Anthony M. Castaneda
  • Patent number: 11155254
    Abstract: A braking device includes a stroke simulator, a hydraulic pressure generation unit, a reaction hydraulic pressure detection unit, a master hydraulic pressure detection unit, and a bottoming determination unit. The stroke simulator includes a cylinder and a piston slidably movable inside the cylinder in conjunction with an operation of a brake operation member. The stroke simulator causes a reaction force chamber to generate a reaction hydraulic pressure and applies a reaction force. The hydraulic pressure generation unit generates a master hydraulic pressure by driving a master piston and supplies a hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder. The reaction hydraulic pressure detection unit detects the reaction hydraulic pressure. The master hydraulic pressure detection unit detects the master hydraulic pressure. The bottoming determination unit determines whether the master piston is in a bottoming state based on the reaction hydraulic pressure and the master hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Nishiwaki, Takayuki Yamamoto, Yasuhito Ishida, Tatsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11142962
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for use with a downhole tool having a tool axis may comprise a device housing mechanically coupled to the downhole tool, wherein the device housing defines a receptacle having a volume and an inner surface; an inertia element movably supported in the receptacle and having a volume, a mass, and a non-zero moment of inertia about the tool axis; wherein the inertia element volume is greater than the receptacle volume and an interstitial volume is defined between the inertia element and the receptacle, and wherein the interstitial volume is occupied by a fluid or an elastomer. The device may include a longitudinal bearing and/or a radial bearing between the inertia element and the receptacle. The device may also include a pressure compensation device in fluid communication with the receptacle and positioned within or an integral part of the device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mario Simanowski, Carsten Freyer, Marco Volgmann, Josh Wilson
  • Patent number: 11143255
    Abstract: A brake assembly having a retraction spring and a method of assembly. The retraction spring may extend between first and second brake pad assemblies. The retraction spring may include a coil and may have an end or tip that may be received in a hole in a backplate of a brake pad assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Adkins, Phil Leicht, Daniel Philpott, Sukrut Sakhare, Chris Polmear
  • Patent number: 11136811
    Abstract: A method for constructing an extension mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the extension mechanism including an extension member housed in a body housing, such that the extension member extends and retracts with respect to the body housing as the closure panel is opened and closed, the extension mechanism having a first connection at one end for connecting the extension member to the vehicle and a second connection at the other end for connecting the body housing to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: overlapping a tube wall of the body housing with an end portion of the body housing, the end portion having a receiving indentation; receiving a deformed portion of the tube wall into the receiving indentation in order to form a crimp connection between the tube wall and the end portion; and positioning a clamping member having a body by at least a portion of the body over the tube wall, such that the deformed portion is sandwiched between the portion of the body and the receiving indentatio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Scheuring, Wieslaw Nowicki, Gerard McMahon
  • Patent number: 11130507
    Abstract: A linear-motion brake system uses a fixed block, a moving block, and a linear-motion resistance assembly to decelerate a user who is tethered to the system via a force-transfer line. The linear-motion resistance assembly is a compressible component that exerts a force on the force-transfer line that opposes the force generated by the user traveling along a zipline. The moving block and the fixed block are positioned on opposite sides of the linear-motion resistance assembly, such that the moving block compresses the linear-motion resistance assembly when impelled by the force-transfer line. The force transfer line is threaded through a pair of guide channels that run along the linear-motion resistance assembly. One end of the force-transfer line is tethered to the fixed block while the opposite end is tethered to the user. Thus, the user's motion is transferred to the moving block and resisted by the linear-motion resistance assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Todd Domeck
  • Patent number: 11124951
    Abstract: A spring includes a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed proximate to the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first obtuse angle with the rear face, and a first straight portion length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Michael Wells, Jason Grant Jura, Eric T. Sinn, Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Patent number: 11124262
    Abstract: An adapter body is configured to be attached to a vehicle body in each of a first orientation in which a caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a first position corresponding to a first disc brake rotor having a first outer diameter, and a second orientation in which the caliper body is coupled to the vehicle body via the adapter body in a second position corresponding to a second disc brake rotor having a second outer diameter different from the first outer diameter. The indicator is configured to indicate an correspondence between an orientation of the adapter body and at least one of the first disc brake rotor and the second disc brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Mototsugu Nakai, Kazuya Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 11125299
    Abstract: A self-variable force hydraulic damper including a housing assembly, a piston rod and a piston assembly. The piston assembly is mounted on the piston rod and includes a first washer, a first disc spring, a first valve plate, a variable displacement piston, a second valve plate, a second disc spring and a second washer; the piston has a first end face and a second end face, and is further provided with a first flow hole and a second flow hole penetrating the first end face and the second end face respectively; the first valve plate is pressed against the first end face, and the first valve plate closes the first flow hole and does not close the second flow hole; the second valve plate is pressed against the second end face, and the second valve plate closes the second flow hole and does not close the first flow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ningbo Kasico Shock Absorber Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lina Mao, Rong Li
  • Patent number: 11111980
    Abstract: A unidirectional damping system includes a shaft and unidirectional damping modules. Each module is fixedly coupled to the shaft. Each module includes a fluid-filled variable-volume chamber and spring(s). The chamber has at least one port through which fluid flows based on changes in volume of the chamber wherein, when the shaft is adapted to have a unidirectional force applied thereto, the chamber decreases in volume. The spring(s) is coupled to the chamber for increasing volume of the chamber when the unidirectional force is not applied to the shaft. A fluid-filled spacer chamber is coupled between adjacent modules and is uncoupled from the shaft. The spacer chamber includes at least one venting port through which fluid flows based on pressure in the spacer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: W. Neill Myers, Robert E. Berry, Frederick Scott Gant, Jeffrey Lee Lindner, John S. Townsend
  • Patent number: 11104316
    Abstract: An autonomous traveling vehicle, equipped with autonomous traveling function on a standard machine, has a high-pressure selector valve placed on a flow path in which pressure-oil is supplied from a standard brake valve (SBV) installed in the standard machine to a hydraulic brake. A flow path is installed to connect the high-pressure selector valve and an autonomous brake control valve (ABCV) that is supplied with pressure-oil delivered by a hydraulic pump. Further, an autonomous traveling controller is installed to perform control for autonomous travel, and an autonomous brake controller is installed to perform open or close control on the ABCV in response to a braking instruction from the autonomous traveling controller. When the brake pedal is stepped on, the pressure-oil flows from the SBV to the hydraulic brake, and when the autonomous traveling controller outputs a stop instruction, the pressure-oil flows from the ABCV to the hydraulic brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sato, Takaaki Tanaka, Hidefumi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 11098778
    Abstract: An electric brake actuator configured to push a friction member onto a rotary body by advancing a piston by rotating an input shaft by an electric motor, including: a torque imparting device configured to impart, to an input shaft, a torque in a direction to retract a piston based on an elastic torque of a torsion spring and including a mechanism configured to allow a first retained portion provided at one end portion of the torsion spring to be retained by another one of a plurality of first retaining portions of a stator when the elastic torque exceeds a set upper-limit torque to decrease the elastic torque; and a mechanism configured to permit a second retained portion of a rotor to be retained by a second retaining portion provided at the other end portion of the spring to prohibit the elastic torque from becoming smaller than a set lower-limit torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Nanahara, Naoki Yabusaki, Yuta Morikawa
  • Patent number: 11084480
    Abstract: An embodiment provides an electric brake system including a hydraulic pressure supplier configured to produce hydraulic pressure of oil using rotation force of a motor; a hydraulic circuit configured to convey hydraulic pressure discharged from the hydraulic pressure supplier to a wheel cylinder; a motor position sensor configured to measure a position of the motor; a motor current sensor configured to measure a current of the motor; and a controller configured to determine whether there is a leak in the hydraulic circuit based on the measured position and current of the motor, and determine a circuit that has a leak based on the measured position and current of the motor when it is determined to have a leak in the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yulshin Park
  • Patent number: 11078983
    Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus includes a flexible membrane defining an accumulator cavity, and a compression assembly defining a compression cavity. The compression assembly is disposed within the flexible membrane such that viscous fluid contained within the cavities may be exchanged therebetween by a damping orifice, fluid conduit and or valve mechanism. The accumulator cavity deforms in response to the application of a transmitted impact load, and is capable of storing and releasing potential energy in response to the application and cessation of the transmitted impact load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Kudla, Jeffrey T. Kelly, Marshall W. Downing, John T. Koscielniak, Jeffrey N. Weisbeck, Gregory Herman, James Senneff