Patents Examined by Daniel S Collins
  • Patent number: 10408255
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio apparatus may include: a connecting rod having an end connected with a crank pin of a crank shaft; a plunger housing formed at the other end of the connecting rod, the plunger housing having a space to which a plunger is inserted. In particular, the plunger moves upwardly and downwardly, and an outer circumference surface of the plunger contacts an inner circumference surface of the plunger housing. The apparatus further includes a protrusion protruded from the plunger to the plunger housing and connected with a piston, and a hydraulic pressure control valve for supplying hydraulic pressure to the space and moving the plunger by supplying hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Myungsik Choi, Won Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 10392782
    Abstract: A control valve is provided for construction equipment having a holding valve which prevents the natural lowering of an operation apparatus due to the dead weight of the operation apparatus when an actuator is in a neutral position. The control valve includes a valve body, a spool, a holding valve, a control valve, and a pilot pressure control valve. The control valve can save manufacturing cost as well as allow better use of space for construction equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Man-Seuk Jeon, Bon-Seuk Ku
  • Patent number: 10392779
    Abstract: In a method of controlling a main control valve of an excavator, when speeds of a boom cylinder and an arm cylinder is increased by handling a boom joystick and an arm joystick, a second arm control spool between a first hydraulic pump and the arm cylinder may be closed. A first boom control spool between the first hydraulic pump and the boom cylinder may be opened to supply a first flux generated from the first hydraulic pump to the boom cylinder. A second boom control spool between a second hydraulic pump and the boom cylinder may be closed. A first arm control spool between the second hydraulic pump and the arm cylinder may be opened to supply a second flux generated from the second hydraulic pump to the arm cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DOOSAN INFRACORE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Yong Kim, Hyeon-Sik Ahn, Woo-Yong Jung, Chang-Mook Kim
  • Patent number: 10385885
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator (312, 412) adapted for use with a turbocharger includes a diaphragm (16) having a valley (46), and a piston (314, 414) having a lip (350, 450) extending from a flange (344, 444). A portion of the lip (350, 450) curves or bends around the diaphragm (16) and possibly forms a double bend. The distal end (348, 448) of the piston (314, 414) is adapted to contact a majority of the valley (46) of the diaphragm (16) in its preloaded state. The distal end (348, 448) may have a complementary shape with a shape of the valley (46). The edge of the flange (344, 444) is always spaced away from the diaphragm (16) to prevent contact of the edge with the diaphragm (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Howell
  • Patent number: 10378560
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work machine includes a first switch valve and a first return circuit. The first switch valve is switchable between a confluent position and an isolation position. The first switch valve is switched to the confluent position such that a first operation fluid tube is connected to a second operation fluid tube and a first transmission fluid tube is connected to a second transmission fluid tube. The first switch valve is switched to the isolation position such that the first operation fluid tube is disconnected from the second operation fluid tube and the first operation fluid tube is disconnected from the second operation fluid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: KUBOTA CORPORATION, KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Tanaka, Kunihiko Bito, Tsukasa Haraguchi, Toshiaki Otani, Yuji Kawano, Masaru Kumatani, Junki Maeda, Shoichi Kawano, Hitoshi Iwamura, Teruo Kunizawa, Takehiro Wakasugi, Akio Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10371216
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a multiple friction transmission, comprising: a first pressure relief valve 5 regulable by means of a first pilot pressure; a normally-open drain valve 8, which is a directional valve switchable between an open state and a closed state by means of a second pilot pressure; at least one first pressure regulator 11 for operating the drain valve by means of a first pilot pressure and a second pilot pressure, respectively; wherein in the event of detrimental hydraulic pressure build up, the second pilot pressure is dropped to open the drain valve, so as to relieve pressure through the drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: PUNCH POWERTRAIN N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Mark Smid, Stefan Hubertus Godelieve Van Raemdonck
  • Patent number: 10359056
    Abstract: Provided is an energy storage structure, comprising a housing and a piston. An accommodating cavity and a piston cylinder part communicating with each other are arranged within the housing. The piston is slidably and sealingly arranged within the piston cylinder part for transferring impact energy. A self-pressure of an energy storage medium, arranged within the accommodating cavity and the piston cylinder part, acts on the piston, tending to push the piston to move. An energy storage structure provided by the present invention has a simple structure, is convenient for use, and can ensure that a thrust or impact force remains unchanged or slightly changes during operation, to achieve stable release of potential energy. Moreover, the adjustment of the thrust or impact force can be achieved by changing the temperature of the energy storage medium in the accommodating cavity, thereby achieving change in total impact energy of the energy storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Fugang Yang
  • Patent number: 10352310
    Abstract: A compressed air storage and power generation device (1) is provided with motors (3a-3c), compressors (4a-4c), compressed air storage tanks (5a-5c), injection-side valves (6a-6e), expanders (7a-7c), discharge-side valves (8a-8e), generators (9a-9c), an output sensor (10), pressure sensors (11a-11c), and a control device (12). The control device (12) uses a tank (5c) with a relatively large capacity for long-period variable power and uses tanks (5a, 5b) with relatively low capacities for short-period variable power, all such power having been generated using natural energy, and thereby performs control by which both the long-period and short-period variable power are leveled out and power is output according to the power demand. The compressed air storage power generation device (1) levels out both the long-period and short-period variable power and outputs the power according to the power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanami Sakamoto, Hiroki Saruta, Masaki Matsukuma
  • Patent number: 10352019
    Abstract: A front loader includes a boom, a first pivotal shaft disposed on a tip portion of the boom, a bucket supported by the first pivotal shaft to be capable of performing a shoveling movement and a dumping movement, a boom cylinder to swing the boom, a bucket cylinder to move the bucket to make the bucket perform the shoveling movement and the dumping movement, a control valve to be switched to any one of a first state supplying an operation fluid to the bucket cylinder and a second state stopping supplying the operation fluid to the bucket cylinder, a first movable member to turn around the first pivotal shaft in accordance with the movement of the bucket, and a wire connecting the first movable member to the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Stewart Boyd, Daniel Underwood, Carlos Cabrera
  • Patent number: 10344783
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic actuator, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic actuator may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first blocking valve prevents the fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from opening the first counter-balance valve. The first blocking valve may drain leakage from the first counter-balance valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Meng (Rachel) Wang, Michael Berne Rannow
  • Patent number: 10344779
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic actuator includes a reservoir tank having a bladder that separates hydraulic fluid from any air in the reservoir tank and includes a sensor system that detects when the hydraulic fluid is depleted from the reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Besch, Kevin Koenigs
  • Patent number: 10337607
    Abstract: A hydraulic system of a transmission includes a controller, a pump, a fluid circuit fluidly coupled to the pump, a pressure regulator for regulating pressure in the fluid circuit, a cooler circuit fluidly coupled to the pressure regulator, a filter disposed in the fluid circuit downstream from the cooler circuit, and a bypass circuit disposed in the fluid circuit and fluidly coupled to the pressure regulator. The bypass circuit includes a valve movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a first portion of fluid flowing from the pressure regulator flows through the bypass circuit and a second portion of the fluid flows through the cooler circuit and filter. In the closed position, the fluid flowing from the pressure regulator only flows through the cooler circuit and filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Dewey, Randall R. Kirk, Charles F. Long
  • Patent number: 10330185
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: an impeller arranged to receive torque and including an impeller shell and at least one impeller blade fixed to the impeller shell; and a turbine including a turbine shell including a slot with an open end circumferentially located between first and second radially outermost portions of the turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixed to the turbine shell; and an inertia ring fixed to the turbine shell and including a tab with a segment located in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nigel C. Gurney
  • Patent number: 10323458
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit may be used for controlling a plurality of hydraulic implements. The hydraulic circuit may include a first directional valve, a second directional valve, and a relief valve. A variable displacement pump may be fluidly coupled to the first directional valve, the second directional valve, and the relief valve. The hydraulic circuit may be communicably and operably coupled to a controller, and the controller may be programmed to selectably control the hydraulic circuit between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. Additionally, the controller may be programmed to actuate the first directional valve between an open position and a closed position and to actuate the second directional valve between a first open position, a second open position, a first closed position and a second closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Chiaramonte, Christopher J. Demick
  • Patent number: 10323661
    Abstract: An adsorption separation device is used with a cylinder, wherein the cylinder comprises a cylinder body, a first piston, and a second piston. The first piston and the second piston are arranged inside the cylinder body, and the first piston and the second piston are be spaced from each other. The cylinder further comprises a first shaft and a second shaft where the first shaft extends into the cylinder body and is connected with the first piston, and the second shaft is slidably sleeved in the first shaft and connected with the second piston. The adsorption separation device includes the cylinder. The cylinder and the adsorption separation device are actually two or more cylinders sharing the same cylinder body and controlling two or more pistons and shafts respectively. The control directions and strokes of the pistons are independent relative to each other and do not affect each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN BITEMAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yinghui Guo
  • Patent number: 10323663
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second independent control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). The actuator includes first and second corresponding chambers. In a first mode, the second counter-balance valve is opened by the first control valve, and the first counter-balance valve is opened by the second control valve. In a second mode, at least one of the counter-balance valves is closed. A meter-out control valve (800, 700) may be operated in a flow control mode, and/or a meter-in control valve (700, 800) may be operated in a pressure control mode. Boom dynamics reduction may occur while the boom is in motion (e.g., about a worksite). By opening the counter-balance valves, sensors at the control valves may be used to characterize external loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Meng Wang, Michael Berne Rannow
  • Patent number: 10316790
    Abstract: A piston including at least one insert disposed between an inner surface of a ring belt and undercrown surface, and/or between the inner surface of the ring belt and a pin boss, to provide reinforcement to the ring belt is provided. The insert reduces thermal and mechanical distortion of the ring belt, and thus increases the piston ring performance, reduces blow-by, and ultimately improves engine emissions. The insert is formed by an additive machining process, such as direct depositing, laser cladding, laser sintering, arc welding, additive welding, plasma transferred arc spraying, plasma welding, arc welding, selective laser sintering, and high velocity oxygen fuel spraying, plasma spraying. According to one embodiment, an intermediate piece is mechanically attached to the piston, and the insert is applied to the intermediate piece, to provide additional reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TennecoInc.
    Inventors: Ross Evers, Rainer Weiss, Sven Ungermann
  • Patent number: 10316866
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator is equipped with: an arm cylinder driven by a hydraulic working fluid from a hydraulic pump; a meter-out passage through which the hydraulic working fluid discharged from the arm cylinder flows; a control valve controlling the hydraulic fluid flow rate of the meter-out passage; a pressure sensor detecting a load acting on the arm cylinder; a pressure sensor detecting an operation amount of an operation device operating the arm cylinder; and a controller. The controller alternatively selects a normal operation mode in which the opening area of the control valve is controlled based on an actuator load and the operation amount, and a substitution operation mode in which the opening area of the control valve is controlled based on the operation amount. When the substitution operation mode is selected, a delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump is further increased as compared with the normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Amano, Shinya Imura, Ryouhei Yamashita, Shinji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10309079
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic control system for a work machine that is capable of reducing the loss caused by flow division while reducing a decrease in the speed of a hydraulic actuator due to a combined operation. The hydraulic control system for a work machine includes a first hydraulic actuator, one hydraulic pump, a second hydraulic actuator, and another hydraulic pump. The hydraulic control system further includes operating instruction detection means and pump flow control means. The operating instruction detection means detects that operating instructions are issued to the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator. The pump flow control means individually adjusts the delivery flow rate of the one hydraulic pump and the another hydraulic pump in accordance with operation amounts designated by the operating instructions for the first and second hydraulic actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Moriki, Shinya Imura, Kouji Ishikawa, Ryohei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10308280
    Abstract: Hydraulic steering (1) is disclosed comprising a high pressure port (P), a low pressure port (T), two working ports (CL, CR), a manual steering section (3), and a steering valve section having a steering valve 5 and a hydraulic driving arrangement (6) adjusting hydraulically a position of said steering valve. A change from automatic steering to manual steering should be reliably ensured when the manual steering section is directly influenced by a driver. To this end, a switching valve (11) is provided, which is actuatable between a first position in which said driving arrangement (6) is supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a second position in which a supply of hydraulic fluid to said driving arrangement (6) is interrupted, wherein said switching valve (11) is hydraulically actuated into said second position by a pressure generated upon actuating of said manual steering section (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Morten Hoeck Petersen, Thomas Træger Hansen, Thomas Bauer, Niels Bjarne Hansen, Jeroen Hinse