Valve Patents (Class 219/641)
  • Patent number: 10543051
    Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system has an instrument manipulator that includes a first carriage driver and a second carriage driver that each provide independent rotary motion. Each carriage driver includes a first engagement feature. A surgical instrument includes two instrument drivers that each receive the rotary motion from one of the two carriage drivers. Each instrument driver includes a second engagement feature that engages the first engagement feature to positively couple the carriage driver to the instrument driver. The instrument drivers are rotationally coupled together. A manipulator controller controls rotation of the two carriage drivers and imparts a motion to the second carriage driver that is contrary to the rotation of the first carriage driver until the first engagement features positively engage the second engagement features. The surgical instrument may include an instrument shaft that can rotate indefinitely. The instrument drivers may be rotationally coupled to the instrument shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Michael Schena, Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II
  • Patent number: 10165629
    Abstract: The induction coil unit for heating a component which is rotationally symmetrical relative to an axis, includes a plurality of coils arranged about the axis of the tool holder, with pole elements, which are movable radially with respect to the axis, of which pole elements each one consists of includes a stack of pole rods that can be moved relative to one another. A yoke ring connects the pole elements, which, when the coils are excited by alternating current in the tool holder, produce a magnetic flux running in the peripheral direction to inductively heat the tool holder. The pole rods of each pole element can be moved jointly by means of pinion rollers, wherein, however, slide couplings or the like are provided in the drive force transmission path between the individual pole rods so that the pole elements can adapt to different contours of the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HAIMER GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Haimer, Wolfgang Kugle
  • Patent number: 8993942
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Fitch, Jerry Mills, William Stuehr, John Gadus, Stephen P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8783278
    Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Hild, Andreas Koenekamp
  • Patent number: 8371328
    Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Hild, Andreas Koenekamp