Patents Assigned to Engineering
  • Patent number: 9216630
    Abstract: A water shield for a door of a vehicle. The water shield includes a sheet of a water impervious material configured to be attached to an inboard panel of the door and extend over an access opening in the inboard panel. A cover of expanded foam is directly attached to the sheet to fit over the access opening in the door. A perimeter portion of the cover circumscribes the access opening. The cover is secured, around the access opening, to the inboard panel, resulting in sealing of the access opening and mass dampening of the inboard panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris P. Sheehy, Scott B. Smith, Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 9217423
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy storage system using supercritical air, comprising a compressor unit, a heat exchanger and storage device, a cold exchanger and storage device, a cryogenic tank, a throttling valve, at least one cryogenic pump, an expander unit, a generator, and a driver unit. There are several advantages of this invention, including high energy density, high efficiency, no storage cycle and geographical conditions restriction, easy implementation with all kinds of power stations, environment friendliness and capability of recycling low to medium temperature waste heat and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Haisheng Chen, Chunqing Tan, Jia Liu, Yujie Xu
  • Patent number: 9216771
    Abstract: A panel for a vehicle. The panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an underside surface, and the inner panel is located adjacent to and along the underside surface of the outer panel, but spaced apart from the outer panel. The inner panel also exhibits a bow over a substantial portion of its length, with the bow being in a direction toward the outer panel. The bow induces a moment in the inner panel during impact of the vehicle in a collision that causes the inner panel and, resultantly, the outer panel to undergo a predetermined deformation in an upward direction relative to the vehicle. The panel may be provided as the hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Mark D. Clauser, Min Zhu
  • Patent number: 9216814
    Abstract: A wing includes an upper surface that forms a generally fixed shape and a lower surface adjacent to the upper surface. The lower surface is morphable between a stowed shape and a deployed shape. A method of morphing a wing includes morphing a lower surface between a stowed shape and a deployed shape. The lower surface curves toward the upper surface in the stowed shape and curves away from the upper surface in the deployed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Robert W. Roe
  • Patent number: 9216910
    Abstract: A composition and its method of production are provided. The composition includes at least one zero-valent metal atom in complex with at least one hydride molecule. In some instances, the composition includes a first zero-valent metal atom and a second zero-valent metal atom in complex with at least one hydride molecule. The method of production includes ball-milling an elemental metal in a high-surface area form, with a hydride. The composition can be useful as a reagent for the synthesis of zero-valent metal alloy nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Paul Rowe
  • Patent number: 9217255
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising a self-jacking scaffold system including extending a jacking screw and jacking screw bracket axially upward, connecting a jacking screw bracket to an overhead tank bracket for a plurality of scaffold sections coupled to a jacking assembly, detaching a plurality of scaffold mounting brackets from a plurality of tank mounting brackets, raising the continuously coupled plurality of scaffold sections, and reattaching the plurality of scaffold mounting brackets to a plurality of tank mounting brackets. Noting the plurality of scaffold sections is continuously coupled proximate a circumference of a shell tank, the continuously coupled scaffold sections and tank mounting brackets provide stiffness to the tank shell to enable it to resist external loads and can be quickly moved and restored as required during tank construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, OM Engineering
    Inventors: Oliver Mork, Marty Tellalian, Don Horacek, Glenn Riley, Andy Edenburn, Al Garza, Joseph Kucic
  • Publication number: 20150361353
    Abstract: The mercury in crude oils is managed during the refining process to reduce its occurrence in refined petroleum products as well as in refinery emissions and wastes by converting the mercury, which may typically be present in the crude in elemental, ionic or combined organic (organomercury) forms, by operating the refinery on a blend of crudes comprising a mercury-containing crude of low sulfur content and a high sulfur crude. For optimal mercury control, the refinery should be operated in a high conversion regime, preferably with hydroprocessing (severe hydrotreating, hydrocracking) suitable for converting refractory, non-reactive sulfur compounds in the high sulfur crudes to more reactive forms including, for example, hydrogen sulfide, which will combine with the mercury present from the mercury-containing crude to form solid mercury sulfides which may be removed as solid waste by-products and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bryan M. Knickerbocker, Robert James Falkiner
  • Publication number: 20150359550
    Abstract: This application presents a bifurcated, optimally-angled surgical forceps. In one example, this surgical forceps may enable a more natural maneuver for initial clamping of the vas deferens through the scrotal skin. This may be more comfortable for users and easier to maintain, and may provide greater tactile surface contact between the thumb and vas deferens. This device also may provide the surgeon with an entire segment of vas deferens upon which the vasectomy may be performed, thus reducing the need for frequent repositioning of instruments. The device may also be applied to other surgical procedures that may benefit from the features of the device and where a section of a tubular anatomical structure may need clamping at two points along its length. Examples include blood and lymphatic vessels, ducts of the digestive system, and large nerves or nerve bundles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Alfred E.Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California
    Inventors: Ricardo G. Hahn, Afshin Nadershahi, Sudeep Deshpande
  • Publication number: 20150361056
    Abstract: A cocrystal of CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane) and DNMT (1-methyl-3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazole) was formed through a resonant acoustic mixing process. The resulting cocrystal comprised an essentially 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between these coformers. The cocrystal advantageously has decreased sensitivity when compared with a pure CL-20 sample, and maintains thermal stability and comparable energetic performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Nalas Engineering Services Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry SALAN, David J. am ENDE, Stephen R. ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20150361763
    Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, which may damage the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Tejas Research And Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Charles Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 9212472
    Abstract: A spray head holder (250) comprising an outer rim and a socket (252) for receiving a spray head. The socket defines an inner mouth (254) surrounded by the outer rim, the inner mouth (254) and outer rim being disposed in respective planes that are obliquely disposed with respect to one another. The longitudinal axis of the socket is obliquely disposed with respect to the plane in which said outer rim lies. A bevelled lip is provided around the outer rim. The spray head holder (250) is particularly suited for fitting to walls behind which space is restricted, for example the bulkhead of a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Munster Simms Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Edward John Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9215558
    Abstract: A system on a vehicle is provided operable to notify a user if and when they are approaching a low digital radio signal area. The vehicle includes both the capability to receive digital and analog radio signals. The system further includes a processor and a data storage unit. If the digital signal drops below a certain predetermined threshold, the system will record the location of the low signal and will notify the user of the low signal next time the user is approaching the same area recorded by the GPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Lee Helm, Mark Jotanovic
  • Patent number: 9214453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device and a method for manufacturing the same. The technical object of the invention is to realize a surface emitting body which allows heat generated from a light-emitting chip to be easily dissipated, eliminates the need for an additional wiring layer, and allows a singular light emitting chips or a plurality of light emitting chips to be arranged in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel. The present invention discloses an optical device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of light emitting chips disposed on the substrate; a plurality of conductive wires which electrically connect the substrate with the light emitting chips such that the plurality of light emitting chips are connected to each other in series, in parallel or in series-parallel; and a protective layer which covers the plurality of light emitting chips and the plurality of conductive wires on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Point Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Myung Nam, Tae-Hwan Song, Young-Chul Jun
  • Patent number: 9212510
    Abstract: Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, Joshua James Brown, Ryan John Talbot
  • Patent number: 9211627
    Abstract: Provided is a polishing apparatus capable of maintaining polishing precision although fewer expendable parts are periodically replaced. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing disk (20) having a polishing surface (20a) on the front side thereof to polish an end surface of a workpiece, a support mechanism (30) for supporting a back surface (20b) of the polishing disk (20) while allowing the polishing disk (20) to move along a predetermined plane, a workpiece holder (50) for holding the workpiece so as to contact the end surface of the workpiece with the polishing surface of the polishing disk, and a driving mechanism (70) for concurrently causing circular and reciprocating rectilinear motions of the polishing disk (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, Teitsu Engineering Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Andou, Toshinori Kimura, Sadaaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9214849
    Abstract: A stepper motor is provided in which a permanent ring magnet is sandwiched in an outer part of the stator winding assembly located far from the gap between rotor and stator teeth, so that magnetic flux in the gap is dominated by the Ampere-turns of energized stator coils and therefore more easily controlled for reduced vibration at low stepping speeds. The rotor need not contain any permanent disk magnet. If one is provided, it can be completely embedded within the rotor and merely supplement the primary flux from the stator to enhance torque. In most cases, where the rotor lacks any permanent magnet, the motor's axial shaft can have a larger diameter and may, together with the rotor, form a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Lin Engineering
    Inventor: Ted T. Lin
  • Publication number: 20150356109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage apparatus that executes de-duplication processing. Specifically, a storage apparatus includes a storing apparatus configured to provide a first storage area and a second storage area and a control unit. The control unit determines, on the basis of a result of comparison of a compression ratio of compressed data with a threshold, whether first duplication determination for determining whether data same as the data compressed without being stored in the first storage area is stored in the second storage area is executed or second duplication determination for determining whether data same as the data compressed after being stored in the first storage area is stored in the second storage area is executed. Further, the control unit changes the threshold on the basis of a state of the storage apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehisa ARIKAWA, Naomitsu TASHIRO, Mikito OGATA
  • Publication number: 20150357860
    Abstract: Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Anthony Wippler
  • Patent number: D745477
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Nitz Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Rüdiger Nitz
  • Patent number: D745638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Rock Smasher Engineering
    Inventor: Patrick Hickman