Patents Examined by Charles J Brauch
  • Patent number: 12214844
    Abstract: Conveyance vehicles such as snow bikes and snowmobiles having an endless track system driven by a combustion engine are enhanced in performance with a torque assist system. The torque assist system includes an electric motor that is coupled to drive the track in parallel with the original internal combustion engine through either its own track drive, or through the drive system of the engine. The motor can be a spindle drive motor or hub motor. Torque assist is generated through a torque assist throttle input coupled to a motor controller. A battery temperature assist system diverts heated cooling fluid from the engine cooling system to heat the battery through its own heat exchanger. The controller is coupled to a processing device such as a smart phone that executes apps configured to provide parametric data to the controller and to receive parametric data from the controller through a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Inventor: Barnabas LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 12214664
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a powertrain assembly having an engine and a steel belt continuously variable transmission. Portions of the powertrain assembly are supported at a rear portion of the vehicle and are positioned relative to other components of the vehicle also supported at the rear portion of the vehicle. The vehicle also is configured for various operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ripley, Andrew C. Schleif, Alex R. Scheuerell
  • Patent number: 12215657
    Abstract: A fuel pump hanger assembly configured to fit two fuel pumps into the small opening of a fuel tank, even if the diameter of both fuel pumps combined is larger than the opening of the fuel tank. The fuel pumps may be inserted into the fuel tank one at a time, then assembled together through the small opening of the fuel tank. The parts self-locate inside the fuel tank and the assembly held together with bolts. This self-locating feature facilitates the assembly of all parts inside the small opening of the fuel tank. The hanger holds two common fuel pumps and comes with fittings for interfacing to the car's fuel and vapor lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: 1340126 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Levinson, Rajan Thiru
  • Patent number: 12209530
    Abstract: A chassis assembly for a generator set includes a frame. The frame includes a first side rail and a second side rail. The chassis assembly includes a fuel tank disposed between the first side rail and the second side rail. The fuel tank includes a top surface. The chassis assembly includes at least one crossmember disposed at least partially in the fuel tank. The at least one crossmember includes a top plate disposed level with or below the top surface of the fuel tank. The at least one crossmember includes a sidewall that extends from the top plate. The sidewall is disposed in the fuel tank and defines an opening for fluid to flow through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Cummins Limited
    Inventor: Ashley Laurence Harding
  • Patent number: 12196325
    Abstract: An outer peripheral surface of a compression ring includes a barrel curved surface, in a case where a width of the outer peripheral surface in an axial direction of the compression ring is set as L1, a condition of 0.2 mm?½×L1 is satisfied, and in a case where a distance in a radial direction of the compression ring between an outer peripheral peak and each of two points on the barrel curved surface separate from the outer peripheral peak by 0.1 mm in the axial direction of the compression ring is set as d1, and a distance in the radial direction of the compression ring between the outer peripheral peak and each of two points on the barrel curved surface separate from the outer peripheral peak by ¼×L1 in the axial direction of the compression ring is set as d2, a condition of d1<d2 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TPR Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ozawa, Akira Hikone, Takashi Oguro
  • Patent number: 12188449
    Abstract: A pitch drive controller for a wind turbine having a plurality of rotor blades fixed on a rotor hub for rotational adjustment of the rotor blades on the rotor hub by an electric motor includes a pitch drive control device for each of the rotor blades. The pitch drive control device is in each case configured to actuate a pitch drive motor. The pitch drive control device has in each case an electronic actuation unit for the respective pitch drive motor, a control output to the respective pitch drive motor and a computing unit with a processor configured to operate the respective pitch drive control device. The drive control device has in each case a local communication connection and is connected or connectable to the other pitch drive control devices of the wind turbine in a cross-communication via the local communication connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: KEBA INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Bach-Preckwinkel, Harald Wertz, Daniel Jotzo, Frank Niermann, Stefan Budde, Bernd Borgschulte
  • Patent number: 12187333
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a train control system are disclosed, and are based on virtualization of train control logic and the use of cloud computing resources. A train control system is configured into two main parts. The first part includes physical elements of the train control system, and the second part includes a virtual train control system that provides the computing resources for the required train control application platforms. The disclosed architecture can be used with various train control technologies, including communications based train control, cab-signaling and fixed block, wayside signal technology. Further, the disclosure describes methodologies to convert cab-signaling and manual operations into distance to go operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Patent number: 12173677
    Abstract: There is provided an internal combustion engine including: a crankshaft; a first cylinder and a second cylinder; and a decompression device configured to depressurize the first cylinder and the second cylinder at a time when the internal combustion engine starts to rotationally derive relative to the first cylinder and the second cylinder at a time after the internal combustion engine starts to rotationally drive. The decompression device is configured such that, at the time when the internal combustion engine starts to rotationally derive, a decompression amount in the second cylinder is greater than a decompression amount in the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Noami, Tetsuji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 12173675
    Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to pump assemblies. In some embodiments, the pump is a high-pressure pump for an engine. The pump includes: an inlet valve configured to receive fuel; an armature coupled to the inlet valve and configured to actuate the inlet valve; and a pump barrel comprising a barrel guide, the barrel guide comprising a protrusion and configured to guide a motion of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Benham, Karthik Sethuraman, Donald J. Benson, Michael Andrew Lucas, Richard E. Duncan
  • Patent number: 12157528
    Abstract: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely steering wheel rotation locking. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology, a system may comprise a steering wheel rotation locking device; and a controller communicatively connected to the steering wheel rotation locking device to determine a presence and location of one or more objects or conditions surrounding a vehicle, and produce steering wheel control feedback to physically prevent rotational movement of a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Manuel Ludwig Kuehner, Jaime S. Camhi, Hiroshi Yasuda, Daniel J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 12157864
    Abstract: Unleaded aviation gasoline. An aviation gasoline fuel blend includes an unleaded aviation gasoline base fuel, with an effective amount of selected alkyl benzenes to improve the functional engine performance to avoid harmful detonation sufficient to meet or exceed selected standards for detonation performance requirements in full scale aircraft piston spark ignition engines designed for use with Grade 100LL avgas. Suitable alkylated benzenes may include a mixture of xylene isomers. Aromatic amines, such as m-toluidine, may also be added to increase MON. Base fuels may be a high quality aviation alkylate, or may be a commercial iso-octane, or a mixture of high quality aviation alkylate enhanced by iso-octane, or by commercial iso-octane mixtures, and may include iso-pentane or butane or both iso-pentane and butane in sufficient quantity to provide appropriate vapor pressure for the final fuel blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL AVIATION MODIFICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: George W Braly
  • Patent number: 12158126
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine with two sets of cylinders, a turbocharger, two exhaust conduits providing fluid communication between the turbocharger and an exhaust of the cylinders, and an exhaust gas recirculation system including a recirculation valve. Two proportional exhaust valves are adapted to control a flow of exhaust gas in the two exhaust conduits. An actuator includes an output component operating the recirculation valve and the two exhaust valves. In a neutral position, the two exhaust valves are open and the recirculation valve is closed. A first movement of the output component, from its neutral position towards a first position, open the recirculation valve and close a first of the two exhaust valve. A second movement, from the first position and in the same direction as the first movement, close the second exhaust valve and hold open the recirculation valve and closed the first exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Laurent Bauvir
  • Patent number: 12146423
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having rotor shaft assembly and a stator shroud assembly including a stator shroud casing surrounding the compressor rotor shaft assembly, a compressor flow passage being defined between the compressor rotor shaft assembly and the stator shroud casing. A compressor bleed air system includes a compressor bleed air duct that includes a sloped inlet portion, such as a NACA submerged inlet portion, in the stator shroud casing. Alternatively, stator vanes at a compressor bleed air passage may have a NACA inlet scoop and an airflow passage through the stator vane providing a bleed airflow to a cavity, which has airflow passages providing bleed air to an upstream side of the bleed air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kudum Shinde, Yashpal Patel, Sesha Subramanian, Brandon C. Clarke
  • Patent number: 12140113
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses wear of a rod or a component with which the rod is in contact. An electromagnetic suction valve mechanism (electromagnetic valve mechanism) includes a suction valve (valve body), a rod engaged with the suction valve, and a magnetic attraction force generation unit that generates a magnetic attraction force for moving the rod in an axial direction. The rod is provided with a low friction portion. The low friction portion is set to a friction coefficient such that a frictional force generated between the rod and the rod contact component with which the rod is in contact is smaller than a rotational propulsive force of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Kiyotaka Ogura, Masashi Nemoto, Kenichiro Tokuo
  • Patent number: 12134432
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system, including: a pair of wheel steering devices respectively provided for right and left wheels of a vehicle, each of the pair of wheel steering devices including an actuator and configured to steer a corresponding one of the right and left wheels independently of the other of the right and left wheels; and a controller configured to control the pair of wheel steering devices such that steering amounts of the respective right and left wheels are equal to respective amounts based on a steering request, wherein the controller executes a steering-amount stabilizing control to reduce a change in the steering amounts in an external-force-dependent steering situation in which the right and left wheels are steered or likely to be steered by an external force applied to the right and left wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuya Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 12129769
    Abstract: A method of forming an erosion shield for a turbine blade includes depositing a layer of filler material defining an upper surface. The method also includes depositing a layer of erosion-resistant material across the upper surface of the layer of filler material. An interface is defined between the layer of filler material and the layer of erosion-resistant material and has a shape of the upper surface. The method also includes machining the layer of filler material to produce the erosion shield. The erosion shield has the layer of erosion-resistant material, the machined layer of filler material, and the interface defined therebetween. An inner surface of the erosion shield is defined by the machined layer of filler material that is sized and shaped for attaching to a leading edge of the turbine blade. Each of the interface and the inner surface extend a length of the erosion shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Sreekar Karnati, Yang Jiao, Changjie Sun, John Matthew Sassatelli, Anthony Poli
  • Patent number: 12129796
    Abstract: A vortex restart structure including a flow passage having a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, each of the first wall and the second wall including a parting surface; multiple flow turbulators extending from at least one parting surface of the first wall or the second wall; and at least one vortex restart structure extending from at least one parting surface of the first wall or the second wall, wherein the at least one vortex restart structure extends from the parting surface into the flow passage beyond the multiple flow turbulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventor: James Fredric Wiedenhoefer
  • Patent number: 12123375
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for injecting and igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle with a bore and a tip at a distal end. The bore includes a longitudinal axis and an annular valve seat. A needle reciprocates within the bore and in combination with the annular valve seat forms an injection valve where in a closed position the needle abuts the annular valve seat and in an open position the needle is spaced apart from the annular valve seat. A retainer axially protrudes from the tip of the nozzle along the longitudinal axis thereof whereby an annular mixing space extends between the retainer and the tip of the nozzle. There is an igniter secured to the nozzle that includes a positive-ignition source forming an ignition zone within a portion of the annular mixing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: HPDI Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Jian Huang
  • Patent number: 12126058
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cell plate assembly for adjoining an anode side of a membrane electrode assembly of a solid-state compressor, including adjacent first and second cell plates, each having a channel structure incorporated therein. The second cell plate includes a number of passages typically connecting the therein incorporated channel structure with the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly. The channels of the respective channel structures are interconnected at the interfacing surfaces of the first and second cell plates, wherein the channels incorporated in the second cell plate enclose an angle with the channels incorporated in the first cell plate. The invention further relates to a solid-state compressor including a cell plate assembly according to the invention and a method for operating such a solid-state compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: HyET Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Leonard Raymakers, Jonne Konink
  • Patent number: 12111717
    Abstract: A reconfigurable controller system for one or more switchable electronic devices has a relay junction with a plurality of relay connections, each of which includes at least a load circuit input, a load circuit output connectible to a respective one of the one or more switchable electronic devices, and a control circuit line. A controller head unit connectible to the relay junction includes a plurality of switch buttons, each with an independent indicator screen programmable with one or more display outputs, and associated output functions to a specific one the control circuit lines generated when the switch is actuated. A scroll dial is receptive to a rotary input that responsively switches, for one or more of the plurality of switch buttons, given ones of the display outputs and associated output functions to another one of the display outputs and associated output functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: KC IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Bobby Leang