Patents Examined by Charles J Brauch
  • Patent number: 11655783
    Abstract: An air cleaner for vehicles includes: a case having an inlet, through which outside air is introduced, and an outlet, through which filtered air is discharged; and a filter installed in an inner space of the case, configured to filter the outside air introduced through the inlet, and including a filtration member, wherein the filtration member is formed in an “?” shape open downwards and is configured to allow the outside air to pass therethrough in a downward direction and in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong Youn Kwak, Sung Hyuk Yoon, Sung Min Yang, Ju Ho Han, Won Seop Choi
  • Patent number: 11655784
    Abstract: A marine engine assembly for mounting to a watercraft is disclosed. The marine engine assembly has an engine unit, an exhaust system fluidly and a propulsion device. The engine unit includes an engine unit housing, an internal combustion engine and an air intake assembly. The air intake assembly, at least one combustion chamber, and the exhaust system together defining at least in part a gas flow pathway. A sealing valve is provided in the gas flow pathway. The sealing valve has an open position permitting flow of gas therethrough. The sealing valve has a closed position preventing flow of gas therethrough for sealing a portion of the gas flow pathway downstream of the sealing valve from a portion of the gas flow pathway upstream of the sealing valve. An air pump is configured for supplying air to the gas flow pathway downstream of the sealing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: George Broughton, Mark J. Skrzypchak, Thomas Whitburn, Nathan Blank
  • Patent number: 11658542
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cabin air compressor (CAC) of an aircraft environmental control system, the CAC having: a CAC case defining a forward end, an aft end axially spaced apart from the forward end, wherein the forward end defines a compressor inlet; and a supplemental cooling jacket, positioned around at least a portion of the CAC case and at least partially conforming the CAC case, and wherein the supplemental cooling jacket is configured to direct a cooling medium through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent J. Merritt, Darryl A. Colson
  • Patent number: 11655822
    Abstract: A multi-stage hydraulic rotating machine (MSHRM) maintains near-optimal efficiency over widely varying conditions of service (COS) when controlling a fluid having a gas volume fraction (GVF) greater than 50% and large changes in volumetric flow rate (VFR) between stages. The MSHRM includes separately controlled stages having at least two different designs with different VFR ranges. Stage impellor differences can include impellor diameter, blade pitch, blade width, blade number, inlet diameter, and outlet diameter. Diffusers can differ in similar ways between stages. VFR ranges can be progressively higher or lower in successive stages. The stages can share a common VFR range within which incompressible liquids can be controlled. The MSHRM can function as a pump or turbine, and can be applicable to energy storage and recovery in “green” energy systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Flowserve Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Dreiss, Bonnie M. Brezinsky, Gregory Morrison, Neil Havrilla, Scott C. Judge
  • Patent number: 11649748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid drain plug (10) for a fluid reservoir (50) with a drain hole (51), the plug having an extension in an axial direction (A) and comprising a body part (16) rotationally insertable into the drain hole (51), the body part having a proximal axial end (15), a distal axial end (17) and a substantially circular cross section with an outer surface (18), wherein the body part comprises a drain channel (92) having an inlet (91) located at the distal axial end and an outlet opening (94) disposed on the outer surface (18), the body part further comprising a bayonet-type connection slot (40) for accommodating a part of a radial projection (52) of a circumferential surface surrounding the drain hole (51), the bayonet-type connection slot being disposed on the outer surface and comprising an entrance (40a) at the distal axial end, a first path (41) and a second path (42), the first path (41) extending from the entrance, in the axial direction (A) and in one circumferential direction (C), to a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger Bodén, Lars Kastensson
  • Patent number: 11642958
    Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a first thermal circuit, a second thermal circuit, and a controller. A first thermal circuit includes a first device, a first pump, and a first flow path and a second flow path configured to cool the first device. A second thermal circuit includes a second device, a second pump, and a third flow path and a fourth flow path configured to cool the second device. A controller is configured to switch, when the controller switches a flow path of the first thermal circuit from the first flow path to the second flow path and switches a flow path of the second thermal circuit from the fourth flow path to the third flow path, the fourth flow path to the third flow path and the first flow path to the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawabe
  • Patent number: 11643030
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an electronic device accommodated in an accommodation case of a power storage device; and a signal wiring connected to an electronic device and an in-vehicle device, the signal wiring being a signal wiring in which a signal to be received or transmitted by the electronic device or the in-vehicle device travels. An exhaust pipe is disposed at a position adjacent to a first side surface, and the signal wiring is drawn out from the second side surface to outside of the accommodation case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takenori Kobayashi, Junta Katayama, Toru Kawamiya
  • Patent number: 11643967
    Abstract: An optimized protection against ice on the inner and outer faces of an aircraft engine nacelle air intake with the air intake including an outer face and an inner face meeting at a line at the longitudinally extreme, called extremum line, an acoustic panel being installed on the inner surface of a part of the inner face. An elimination system based on vibration of the ice formed is put in place on at least a part of the outer face and an ice formation prevention system using a hot fluid is put in place on at least a part of the inner face and either an ice elimination system or an ice formation prevention system using a hot fluid is installed on the inner face and on the outer face, a marking line marking the boundary between the two systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Arnaud Bourhis, Gregory Albet, Alain Porte
  • Patent number: 11629751
    Abstract: A connecting rod assembly has a connecting rod with a large end and a small end, a piston wrist pin, and fasteners to connect the connecting rod to the piston wrist pin and optionally one or more shims in between the connecting rod and piston wrist pin. A notch on the wrist pin allows for the seating of a flat surface on the small end of the connecting rod in the connecting rod assembly. Side walls on both the notch and the small end of the connecting rod limit twist. The connecting rod assembly allows for the adjustment of piston location in a cylinder while limiting connecting rod twist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kessler, Marc-Ellis H. Brandt, Christopher L. Freestone
  • Patent number: 11629704
    Abstract: A bearing lubrication structure for a wind power gearbox includes a housing, a bearing, a planet carrier, and an oil scraper assembly. The planet carrier is rotatably disposed on the housing through the bearing. A first end face of the planet carrier and a second end face of the housing form a receiving chamber. The oil scraper assembly is disposed on the second end face and is located in the receiving chamber. The oil scraper assembly includes an oil scraper member. The oil scraper member is configured to, when the planet carrier rotates, collect oil from the first end face and make the oil flow into the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: NANJING HIGH-SPEED GEAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongjian Li, Hechao Zhang, Xuefeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11624396
    Abstract: Seal cap devices are provided as an integral (one-piece) structure comprising an open-ended cylindrical body member sized so as to surround a threaded shaft of a fastener, the body member including an upper wall having (i) an arcuate interior edge which defines an aperture to allow threaded engagement with distalmost threads of the threaded shaft of the fastener, and (ii) at least one slot radially extending from the aperture. The upper wall may include opposed slots radially extending from the aperture, e.g., a pair of opposed slots radially extending from the aperture that are separated from one another by an angle of about 90°. A sealant material within the cap may therefore envelope the threaded shaft of the fastener and any collar nut associated therewith to provide a reliable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventor: Sérgio Pegurier
  • Patent number: 11619194
    Abstract: A fuel booster system having a fuel inlet port, a fuel outlet port, and a fuel accumulator fluidically coupled to both ports. The fuel inlet port allows fuel to be delivered to the fuel accumulator and the fuel outlet port is in fluid communication with a combustion engine to deliver fuel from the fuel booster system to the combustion engine. A source of pressurized gas is also fluidically coupled to the fuel accumulator to deliver pressurized gas through a gas port in one end of the fuel accumulator. A piston is located within the fuel accumulator and the source of pressurized gas can be discharged into the fuel accumulator to force accumulated fuel from the fuel accumulator and to the engine when the fuel booster system determines that the engine needs more fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pressure Drop Technology Integration, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Klier
  • Patent number: 11619175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planetary gear box in a gas turbine engine, characterized by at least one protective device in the interior of a casing of the planetary gear box, wherein the protective device is designed and configured to divert at least one particle which is moving in the casing, in particular in an event of damage, and/or to extract kinetic energy from the moving at least one particle, in particular by deformation of the protective device, wherein the protective device is coupled to the casing of the planetary gear box, to a planet gear and/or to a planet carrier. The invention also relates to a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Hannes Wuestenberg
  • Patent number: 11619242
    Abstract: A ceiling fan assembly having a motor assembly with a rotating blade hub, and at least one fan blade mounted to the rotating blade hub with a blade span defined between a tip and a root, and defining an airfoil cross section including a rounded leading edge and a v-shaped trailing edge defining a chord therebetween. The blade comprising a pressure side surface and a suction side surface extending between the leading and trailing edges and including a hollow interior and including a tip opening at the tip and a root opening at the root for accessing the hollow interior. The at least one fan blade includes a thickness to chord ratio of less than about 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Michael Selig
  • Patent number: 11614008
    Abstract: An agricultural machine, comprising is disclosed, wherein the machine comprises a body frame; a cutting system mounted on the body frame; a drive system mounted on the body frame; a power unit, mounted on the body frame, adapted to provide power to the drive system and/or the cutting system; and a fluid distribution system adapted to provide fluid to the power unit. The fluid distribution system further comprises a dock and a replaceable fluid container adapted to contain fluid to be supplied to the power unit the dock being adapted to retain the replaceable fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid distribution system so as to supply fluid from the replaceable fluid container via the fluid distribution system to the power unit. A method of facilitating an oil change in an agricultural machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: CirculOil Limited
    Inventors: Krishan Arora, Oliver Paul Taylor
  • Patent number: 11614031
    Abstract: A mounting system for retrofitting a vibration sensor to a machine component is provided. The mounting system includes an elongate fastener, a washer, and a mounting boss. The elongate fastener includes a fastener head and an elongated body defining a longitudinal top end and a longitudinal bottom end. The longitudinal bottom end defines a fastening end configured to engage with a corresponding fastening receptacle of the machine component. The washer defines an external surface and includes a central cavity for engaging the elongated body of the elongate fastener therein. The mounting boss includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an internal cavity defining a first cavity section configured to engage with the external surface of the washer, and a second cavity section to engage with the fastener head of the elongate fastener. The second portion defines a receiving port for receiving the vibration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Raghunandana H Madhava, Ryan David Funk, Yuanhong Guan, Nathan Stephen Pauli, Daniel Gregory Wear, David Charles Hoots, Dennis Lee Kroeger
  • Patent number: 11613994
    Abstract: A piston arrangement comprising: a piston; a rotatable element, rotatable about an axis, having a first engagement profile; and a mechanism comprising: a first connecting element connected to the piston; a second connecting element pivotable about a fixed point and pivotally connected to the first connecting element; and a second engagement profile coupled to the first and/or second connecting element, configured to mechanically engage and disengage with the first engagement profile of the rotatable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: NEWLENOIR LIMITED
    Inventor: Ryan Bowen
  • Patent number: 11612977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for smoothing a surface of a component, in which a component is placed in a liquid-solids mixture; a relative movement is produced between the liquid-solids mixture and the component; thus there is a flow of the liquid-solids mixture along the surface; wherein there is provided in the liquid-solids mixture a guide surface, along which the liquid-solids mixture flows, wherein a directional component toward the surface is imposed on the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Martin Fessler-Knobel, Joerg Windprechtinger, Georg Asti
  • Patent number: 11608802
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for an air cleaner to be mounted onto an air inlet of an internal combustion engine. The air cleaner comprises an air filter that includes a filter medium disposed between a curved base and a cover. The curved base provides an interface between the air filter and the air inlet, and comprises a shape that provides clearance between the curved base and an electric choke installed onto a carburetor comprising the air inlet. The cover secures the air filter and the curved base to the air inlet such that an airstream is drawn through the filter medium and is conducted into the air inlet. A raised portion of the cover is configured to cooperate with the curved base to ensure a desired volume of the airstream is available to the air inlet at substantially all engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve E. Williams, Jere James Wall
  • Patent number: 11598269
    Abstract: An intake plenum is for a marine engine, the marine engine having first and second throttle devices for controlling flow of intake air to the marine engine. The intake plenum has an airbox providing an expansion volume, first and second inlets that convey the intake air in parallel to the expansion volume, first and second outlets that convey the intake air in parallel from the expansion volume to the first and second throttle devices, and first and second Helmholtz-style attenuator devices located at the first and second outlets, respectively. Together the first and second inlets, expansion volume, and first and second Helmholtz-style attenuator devices are configured to attenuate different frequencies of sound emanating from the marine engine via the first and second outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Reichardt, Ameer B. Ambavaram, Andrew S. Waisanen