Patents Examined by Christopher J Besler
  • Patent number: 12083643
    Abstract: An intelligent production line for motor pulley, include a processing mechanism; a feeding mechanism; a grasping mechanism; a detection mechanism, including a photographing device, a light source, a positioning block, and an image processing unit, the positioning block is used to place the pulley to be detected, the light source is used to illuminate the pulley to be detected, and the photographing device is arranged in the backlight direction of the light source, the image processing unit is used for acquiring the workpiece image of the pulley to be detected through the photographing device and detecting the workpiece parameters of the pulley to be detected through the workpiece image; a feedback mechanism, which communicates and connects the detection mechanism and the processing mechanism, and is used for acquiring the workpiece parameters and adjusting the processing parameters of the processing mechanism according to the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: BENGBU HOWARD SPINNING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FUJIAN HOWARD SPINNING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peikai Zhang, Ye Jiang, Bangliang Li, Huanle Lin, Lufen Zeng, Hepeng Sun, Jiangbin Su
  • Patent number: 12083583
    Abstract: A method for forming a hitch ball head includes a pre-forging step, in which a columnar blank is prepared and is extruded to form a pre-forged blank; a first forging step, in which the pre-forged blank is extruded and drawn to form first and second forged portions; a second forging step, in which the pre-forged blank is extruded and drawn to shorten a length of the first forged portion and to form the second forged portion into a to-be-formed section and a columnar base section; a first forming step, in which the pre-forged blank is extruded to form the first forged portion into a ball head portion and to form the columnar base section into a connecting segment and a columnar segment; and a second forming step, in which the pre-forged blank is extruded to form the to-be-formed section into a seat section to thereby obtain the hitch ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: CHUEN CHAO ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chuan-Jung Lai
  • Patent number: 12083582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hold-down device for a joining drive and joining drive with a hold-down device. The hold-down device includes a hold-down cylinder, wherein the hold-down cylinder provides a hold-down force by means of a pressurized chamber. The pressure chamber consists of the hold-down cylinder and a punch of the joining drive. The pressurization required for the provision of the hold-down force is provided by a hydraulic circuit of the joining drive. In the joining mode, the pressure chamber of the hold-down device is connected to a pressure accumulator of the hold-down device, so that a change in volume in the pressure chamber of the hold-down device has no noticeable influence on the pressure in the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Bert Brahmer
  • Patent number: 12078147
    Abstract: A blade lifting assembly (50) for mounting a blade (22) to or unmounting a blade (22) from a rotor hub (20) of a wind turbine (10), including a gripper (52) configured for gripping a central region (54) of the blade (22), the gripper (52) including a blade rotation device (56) configured for rotating the blade (22) about a rotational axis perpendicular to a longitudinal blade axis (76) of the blade (22); a root support device (70) configured to be mounted to a root section (71) of the blade (22); and connecting members (74) connecting the root support device (70) to the gripper (52), the connecting members (74) being configured for transmitting an axial load (82) of the blade (22) from the root support device (70) to the gripper (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 12071927
    Abstract: A gearbox repair assembly is disclosed herein. The gearbox repair assembly includes a sleeve having an inner diameter configured to receive a bearing assembly and an outer diameter configured to fit within a bore of a gearbox housing. The gearbox housing can be part of a gearbox of a wind turbine. The gearbox repair assembly further includes a retaining plate configured to be attached to the gearbox housing for preventing an outer race of the bearing assembly from rotating in the bore relative to the gearbox housing. Also provided are methods to repair such a gearbox. The gearbox repair assembly and related methods reduce the time and cost needed to repair the gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Renew Energy Maintenance, LLC
    Inventors: Curt Eliason, Michael Sebert
  • Patent number: 12059722
    Abstract: A clamping method includes a step (S3) for applying, by a first support portion disposed on one surface side of a plurality of superposed members and a second support portion disposed on the other surface side of the plurality of members, a predetermined first pressure to the plurality of members, and sandwiching the plurality of members; a step (S4) for forming a through hole with respect to the plurality of members by a cutting tool with the first pressure; a step (S5) for applying a predetermined second pressure to the plurality of members after the through hole is formed, and sandwiching the plurality of members by the first and second support portions, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure; and a step (S6) for fixing a fastening part inserted into the through hole to the plurality of members by a riveting device with the second pressure applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Ikada, Hideyuki Suzuki, Yuichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12048984
    Abstract: A centerless grinding processing in which a sliding contact surface (10) is subjected to grinding by pressing a grindstone against the sliding contact surface (10) of an inner ring (3) while rotating the inner ring (3) relative to the grindstone in a prescribed direction, and then, in the centerless grinding process, a finishing step in which grinding lines in a direction intersecting grinding lines formed on the sliding contact surface (10) are formed on the sliding contact surface (10) and/or processing for improving the surface roughness of the sliding contact surface (10) is performed is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12042845
    Abstract: Nut plate grippers, end effectors that include nut plate grippers, robots that include end effectors, installation systems that include robots, and related methods are disclosed herein. The end effectors include a nut plate gripper, a rivet holder, and a yoke that defines a nut plate gripper side and a rivet holder side. The nut plate gripper is operatively attached to the nut plate gripper side of the yoke. The rivet holder is operatively attached to the rivet holder side of the yoke such that the nut plate gripper and the rivet holder define a structure-receiving region therebetween. The nut plate gripper is configured to grip the nut plate. The rivet holder is configured to selectively retain a plurality of rivet heads of a plurality of corresponding rivets. The robots include the end effector. The installation systems include the robot. The methods include methods of utilizing nut plate installation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Strata Manufacturing PJSC
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Zielinski, Jason Cochrane, Ashkan Amirsadri, Andre D. Swart
  • Patent number: 12044139
    Abstract: A tool for immobilising a first shaft of a gas turbine engine in relation to a second shaft of a gas turbine engine, the tool comprising a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the cylindrical body having one or more interior protrusions on the inner surface of the cylindrical body for engaging with the first shaft, and the outer surface of the cylindrical body having one or more exterior protrusions for engaging with the second shaft, the tool being configured such that at least part of the tool can be inserted within and held fixed relative to a section of the second shaft, and a section of the first shaft can be inserted within and held fixed relative to the interior of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas Jepson, Jack Brooks
  • Patent number: 12044138
    Abstract: a tooling assembly for installation relative to a first and second turbomachine component is provided. The tooling assembly includes an axial mounting portion removably couplable to the first turbomachine component. The axial mounting portion includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, and at least one turnbuckle assembly that extends between, and is coupled to, the first plate and the second plate. At least one of the first plate and the second plate include a radial compression portion. The radial compression portion includes a compression bar radially movable relative to the axial mounting portion and configured to contact the second turbomachine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Mogle, II, Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Daryl Paul Capriotti
  • Patent number: 12036643
    Abstract: A system for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft and a press mechanism in fluid communication with a source of fluid and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes a switch having a base and a piston in communication with the fluid such that an increase in a pressure of the fluid results in the piston extending upwardly from the base and a decrease in the pressure of the fluid results in the piston retracting toward the base. The switch includes a lower proximity sensor and a higher proximity sensor. The piston is configured to extend upwardly from the base past the lower proximity sensor and to trip the higher proximity sensor. The switch is configured to control the increase in the pressure in response to the piston tripping the higher proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Temper Axle Products Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Rode, Sean E. Strait
  • Patent number: 12038049
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for withdrawal of a bearing from a gate mechanism including a mechanism housing, a carrier assembly, and discrete fasteners. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing and a carrier bearing. The carrier bearing is supported for rotation within the carrier housing. The carrier housing has a carrier support mating with a receiving bore of the mechanism housing. The carrier housing has multiple flange fasteners aligning with housing fasteners and housing surfaces of the mechanism housing when the carrier housing mates with the receiving bore. Multiple discrete fasteners are removed from a first group of the flange fasteners aligned with the housing fasteners. The carrier assembly is displaced from the mechanism housing in response to inserting the plurality of discrete fasteners to a second group of the plurality of flange fasteners aligned with the plurality of housing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Bohme
  • Patent number: 12030160
    Abstract: A foreign body removing device includes a foreign body removing tool for removing a foreign body that has adhered to a surface of a workpiece. This foreign body removing tool includes: a grip to be grasped by a worker; a blade that contacts the foreign body; and an airflow delivering portion for delivering compressed gas that has been supplied from a compressed gas supply source, as an airflow contacting the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kato
  • Patent number: 12025022
    Abstract: Tooling assemblies and methods are provided. A tooling assembly includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, and one or more members extending between the first plate and the second plate. The tooling assembly further includes a plurality of blocks mounted to the one or more members and arranged in one or more rows between the first plate and the second plate. The at least one block in the plurality of blocks defines an opening that corresponds with an exterior shape of a mounting portion of the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
    Inventors: Rubi Elizabeth Triana Zorsano, Gilberto Betancourt Salinas, Thomas Alan Mogle, II
  • Patent number: 12017310
    Abstract: Axial relative movement of an auxiliary member (30) and a hub body (22z) is performed, the hub body (22z) and an inner race (21) are combined with each other in an axial direction, and a part of the hub body (22z) deformed by a blade (33) of the auxiliary member (30) is disposed inside an engagement concave portion (26) of the inner race (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hagiwara, Sonji Ryu
  • Patent number: 12011749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll stand, comprising: a working roll, which is mounted in the roll stand floatingly and for rotation about an axis of rotation extending axially and which has two axially opposite end faces; and at least one bearing assembly, which is arranged on one of the two end faces of the working roll and by means of which the working roll is floatingly supported in the roll stand and which has a housing, in which the working roll is mounted using a fixed bearing. According to the invention, the bearing assembly has a supporting device, by means of which the bearing assembly can be axially supported in the roll stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Ansgar Radek, Bernhard Schinagl
  • Patent number: 12000302
    Abstract: An aircraft engine repair tool for installing and/or removing a mid turbine frame from a gas turbine engine is provided. The tool includes a stabilizer configured to support a shaft via a load path different from a load path provided by the mid turbine frame rotatably supporting the shaft about a rotation axis. The tool includes a holder attachable to the mid turbine frame, and a guide movably engageable with the shaft and attachable to the holder. The guide guides movement of the holder and of the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft along the rotation axis, and prevents movement of the holder and the mid turbine frame relative to the shaft transverse to the rotation axis when the mid turbine frame is released from the support structure and attached to the holder, and when the holder is attached to the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP
    Inventors: Carlo Porco, Geoffrey Henriksen, Jason Wedemire, Anthony Mathias, Michael Hunze, Louis Lavoie, Marven Paynter, Dennis Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 12000301
    Abstract: A method is provided for disassembling a rotor of a gas turbine engine. During this method, the rotor is provided which includes a rotor disk and a plurality of rotor blades arranged circumferentially about an axis. The rotor blades include a plurality of airfoils and a plurality of attachments that mount the rotor blades to the rotor disk. Each of the rotor blades includes a respective one of the airfoils and a respective one of the attachments. A press is arranged against the rotor. The press axially engages each of the rotor blades. The press moves axially along the axis to simultaneously push the rotor blades and remove the attachments from a plurality of slots in the rotor disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Robert West, Howard Mah, Sowriraja Krishnasamy, Dean-Andrew Michalagas
  • Patent number: 11992912
    Abstract: A part replacement system includes a part storage device configured to store an unused consumable part, and a replacement device that is connected to a processing device and the part storage device, the replacement device being configured to replace a used consumable part installed in the processing device with the unused consumable part stored in the part storage device. The replacement device is moved to a position of the processing device having the used consumable part that requires replacement, and the replacement device is connected to the processing device, and the part storage device is moved to a position of the replacement device connected to the processing device having the used consumable part that requires replacement, and the part storage device is connected to the replacement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi Sawachi, Ichiro Sone, Suguru Sato, Takuya Nishijima
  • Patent number: 11975917
    Abstract: A tank for transporting a liquid is disclosed. In some implementations, the tank includes a carrier having a plurality of compartments, each compartment of the plurality of compartments having an opening for containing one or more baffles. In some implementations, the tank includes a plurality of posts that are securable relative to the tank and configured to support the one or more baffles. In some implementations, the posts are removed from the tank to facilitate installation of the baffles. In some implementations, the posts are rotatable to facilitate installation of the baffles. In some implementations, the tank is a two-piece tank which facilitates access to the one or more baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Roger Hayes