Patents Examined by Burton S. Mullins
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Patent number: 11825747Abstract: An actuator has a plurality of pairs of a flexible electrode having flexibility, and a base electrode having an opposed face that is opposed to the flexible electrode and is covered with an insulating layer. The flexible electrode is configured to deform to get closer to the opposed face when a voltage is applied to the flexible electrode and the base electrode. Each of the pairs is located on the same axis, and adjacent ones of the pairs are connected to each other. The axis intersects with the opposed face of the base electrode of each of the pairs. The base electrode of each of the pairs is divided into a plurality of electrode portions insulated from each other, and the voltage is individually applied to the electrode portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuji Nakagawa
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Patent number: 11824467Abstract: An actuator has a flexible electrode that has flexibility and a base electrode of which an opposing surface facing the flexible electrode is covered with an insulation layer, and is configured such that, when a voltage is applied between flexible electrode and the base electrode, the flexible electrode deforms so as to approach the opposing surface. The actuator includes a restraining member that restrains the flexible electrode on the base electrode. The flexible electrode has a deforming portion that deforms when a voltage is applied between the electrodes. The deforming portion deforms in a direction of approaching the opposing surface, with the restraining member serving as a support point.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuji Nakagawa
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Patent number: 11813729Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a motor assembly received in the tool housing. The motor assembly has a rear end portion, a front end portion, and a motor output shaft. A transmission housing is coupled to the motor housing with a transmission received in the transmission housing, to which the motor output shaft is drivingly coupled. A partition assembly includes a rear cover covering a rear end portion of the transmission housing that faces the front end portion of the motor and a seal. The rear cover of the transmission housing, the front end portion of the motor, and the seal together define at least a first labyrinth path and a second labyrinth path therebetween configured to inhibit grease or dust migration between the transmission housing and the motor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.Inventors: Brent Austin Kuehne, Gao Jian, Wang Guoqing, Zhang Yukun, Chen Jianhua, Zhu Wen, Wu Yanmin, Lu Xiaoli, Colin Crosby, Lynn Weikel, Tong Zheng, Xiaolie Niu
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Patent number: 11817757Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a motor assembly received in the tool housing. The motor assembly has a rear end portion, a front end portion, and a motor output shaft. A transmission housing is coupled to the motor housing with a transmission received in the transmission housing, to which the motor output shaft is drivingly coupled. A partition assembly includes a rear cover covering a rear end portion of the transmission housing that faces the front end portion of the motor and a seal. The rear cover of the transmission housing, the front end portion of the motor, and the seal together define at least a first labyrinth path and a second labyrinth path therebetween configured to inhibit grease or dust migration between the transmission housing and the motor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.Inventors: Brent Austin Kuehne, Gao Jian, Wang Guoqing, Zhang Yukun, Chen Jianhua, Zhu Wen, Wu Yanmin, Lu Xiaoli
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Patent number: 11811334Abstract: An electrostatic machine including a rotor plate comprising a plurality of rotor electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a shaft; a stator plate comprising a plurality of stator electrodes; an excitation circuit electrically coupled to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate at a first end, and electrically couplable to exchange power at a second end with a selected one of an electrical power source or an electrical load; wherein the excitation circuit is configured to: in a first motoring mode, provide excitation power to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate, wherein the shaft provides positive torque to the load; and in a second generating mode, wherein the shaft receives negative torque from the load, operably couple at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate to the electrical power source.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: C-Motive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Justin Kyle Reed, Baoyun Ge, Daniel Colin Ludois, Aditya Nandakumar Ghule
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Patent number: 11811284Abstract: Provided is a rotary electric machine which is configured to draw three-phase output lines from a connection side coil end by an easy process. A stator for a rotary electric machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of segment coils including connection-side winding portions and non-connection-side winding portions. The connection-side winding portions are arranged on one side of a stator core and connected to slots with the same slot pitch, and the non-connection-side winding portions are arranged on the other side of the stator core and inserted into the slots with a plurality of kinds of slot pitches. The connection-side winding portions include a first connection group and a second connection group. The first connection group is provided with a plurality of terminal portions for connecting the segments, and the second connection group connects layers different from those in the first connection group, and is provided with a plurality of terminal portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Kano, Takayuki Koizumi, Yasuyuki Saito, Seigo Misaki, Hisaya Shimizu
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Patent number: 11799368Abstract: A varnish injection system includes a varnish injector including a base, a nozzle extending from the base, and a spacer disposed on the nozzle, and an electric motor including a stator, a wire, and an insulating layer between the stator and the wire. The nozzle is arranged to deposit varnish between the stator and the insulating layer. The nozzle and the stator define a gap therebetween when the spacer engages the stator.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Xiaogang Zhang
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Patent number: 11799395Abstract: An actuator is provided, including a plurality of conducting layers and a plurality of electret layers. The electret layers are respectively sandwiched between the conducting layers, and form gaps between the conducting layers. Directions of preset electric fields of the adjacent electret layers are opposite, and the adjacent conducting layers are respectively electrically connected to a first voltage end and a second voltage end to receive a driving voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.Inventor: Lai-Shi Huang
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Patent number: 11787034Abstract: The disclosure provides a power head and an outdoor power equipment using the same. The power head includes a housing assembly, a motor assembly and a battery pack assembly. The housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing defines a housing space. The motor assembly is arranged in the housing space. The motor assembly includes a motor. One end of an output shaft of the motor extends to outside of the housing assembly. The battery pack assembly is arranged inside the housing space. The battery pack assembly supplies power for the motor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhua Li, Fei Kan
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Patent number: 11777422Abstract: An actuator with a stack of thin layers operates by electrowetting droplets between the layers. The actuator includes a first layer structure and a second layer structure positioned adjacent to the first layer structure. One or more liquid droplets are pinned to one of the layers and are positioned between the layers. The other layer includes electrodes. When the electrodes are energized, they electrostatically attract the liquid droplets to create relative motion between the two layers.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Jakub T. Kedzierski
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Patent number: 11770112Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator includes a substrate having a substantially planar surface and a resonant member having sidewalls disposed in a nominally perpendicular orientation with respect to the planar surface. Impurity dopant is introduced via the sidewalls of the resonant member such that a non-uniform dopant concentration profile is established along axis extending between the sidewalls parallel to the substrate surface and exhibits a relative minimum concentration in a middle region of the axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: SiTime CorporationInventors: Charles I. Grosjean, Ginel C. Hill, Paul M. Hagelin, Renata Melamud Berger, Aaron Partridge, Markus Lutz
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Patent number: 11757378Abstract: A micromechanical arm array is provided. The micromechanical arm array comprises: a plurality of micromechanical arms spaced from each other in a first horizontal direction and extending in a second horizontal direction, wherein each micromechanical arm comprises a protrusion at a top of each micromechanical arm and protruding upwardly in a vertical direction; a plurality of protection films, each protection film encapsulating one of the plurality of micromechanical arms; and a metal connection structure extending in the first horizontal direction. The metal connection structure comprises: a plurality of joint portions, each joint portion corresponding to and surrounding the protrusion of one of the plurality of micromechanical arms; and a plurality of connection portions extending in the first horizontal direction and connecting two neighboring joint portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yu Liao, Tsai-Hao Hung
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Patent number: 11750115Abstract: A stacked electrostatic actuator exhibits a sufficient contraction force even when pulled by a large external force and the contraction rate thereof does not decrease even under a light load. A stacked electrostatic actuator includes a plurality of electrode films each including a three-layer structure including a first insulating layer, a conductor layer, and a second insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: STRAWB INC.Inventors: Keiji Saneyoshi, Makoto Ito, Hikaru Izumitani
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Patent number: 11730059Abstract: An actuator has a flexible electrode having flexibility, and a base electrode having an opposed face that is opposed to the flexible electrode and is covered with an insulating layer. The flexible electrode deforms to get closer to the opposed face when a voltage is applied to the flexible electrode and the base electrode. The flexible electrode is a rotating body placed on the opposed face. The base electrode is divided into a plurality of electrode portions insulated from each other. The electrode portions are arranged along a predetermined direction. The flexible electrode moves in the predetermined direction relative to the base electrode, while rotating on the opposed face, when the voltage is sequentially applied to the electrode portions in the predetermined direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuji Nakagawa
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Patent number: 11722025Abstract: Permanent magnet rotors for electric motors, particularly electric motors for use in compressors, improve the electromagnetic efficiency of the motor. The rotors can include retention of surface permanent magnets using one or more of retaining features on the motor and/or pole spacers interfacing with corresponding features on a rotor core, the use of a monolithic magnet in the rotor, and/or use of a carbon fiber sleeve. The rotor can include an eddy current shield, disposed on the rotor core, on a surface of the rotor, or located within a sleeve surrounding the rotor. The rotor can be sized such that an air-gap between the rotor and a stator of a motor using the rotor is a predetermined amount that reduces electromagnetic losses such as eddy current losses.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Fredrik Boxberg, Charles J. Peterson, Yubo Nian, Petri J. Mäki-Ontto, Lauri Juhani Salmia, Russell T. Abbott, Tomas Fajt, Seth M. McGill
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Patent number: 11722042Abstract: A method for putting an SSM rotor, having the following steps: arranging the SSM rotor to be potted having upright alignment in a potting mold; introducing a first casting compound from below into the casting mold until a certain pre-fill level is reached, at which the first casting compound extends at least up to the lower end face of the rotor winding; introducing a second potting compound from above into the potting mold, wherein the second potting compound is poured onto the rotor winding and is drawn into the rotor winding; further introducing of the first potting compound from below into the potting mold until a certain final fill level is reached; and curing of the potting compounds.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Patrick Herrmann, Michael Schwarzer, Paul Böckenhoff
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Patent number: 11715995Abstract: A power tool (1; 90) includes a motor (17) having a stator (18) and a rotor (19). The stator (18) includes front and rear insulators (21, 22) respectively disposed forward and rearward of a stator core (20) in an axial direction thereof. At least six coils (23) are respectively wound on the stator (18) such that the coils (23) are wound through the front and rear insulators (21, 22). Winding wires (23a) respectively electrically connect circumferentially-adjacent pairs of the coils (23). A short circuiting device (25) short circuits respective pairs of windings (23a) that are located diagonally or diametrically across from one another.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tatsuya Nagahama, Junya Inuzuka, Takashi Momose
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Patent number: 11711001Abstract: A is constructed such that upper and lower shafts, which are coaxial, are rotated in opposite directions using a single coil winding, simplifying the structure of the motor apparatus and reducing the numbers of sensors and controllers to be mounted thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Hyun Seok Hong, Sang Hyun Jung, Hee Kwang Lee
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Patent number: 11699962Abstract: A system, device and method are provided for continuously generating more than 0.01 watt of electrical energy by harnessing mechanical or kinetic energy from a reciprocating motion of a user's torso during breathing. The reciprocating motion causes reciprocating lateral and medial translation of two chambers of the device housing. That reciprocating lateral and medial translation rotates a gear, which in turn, drives a dynamo to produce electrical energy. Since the conversion from the mechanical energy of the spinning rod to power is direct, the energy-conversion efficiency may be up to 90% or higher. The device may further comprise one or more charging means for providing electrical energy to one or more peripheral electronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Yun Wang, Guohao Liu
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Patent number: 11689123Abstract: Modular inflation systems and inflation segments including an inflation enclosure and a plurality of artificial muscle layers provided within the inflation enclosure in a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers including one or more artificial muscles, wherein one or more plurality of artificial muscles of each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers are operable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state, and one or more fastening members for attaching the inflation segment to another inflation segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ty B. Ebling, Michael P. Rowe