Patents Examined by David M. Fenstermacher
  • Patent number: 10890237
    Abstract: An actuator includes a drive assembly, a ball screw, and a ball nut. The ball nut may include a first nut member, a second nut member; and first arm extending from the first nut member. The first arm may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may extend radially outward from the first nut member. The second portion may extend substantially axially from the first portion such that at least some of the second portion is disposed radially outward of the second nut member. A second arm may extend from the second nut member, and the second arm may include a first portion and a second portion. In embodiments, at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of at least a part of the second portion of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Sorin Gavriliuc, Aaron M. Klap, Gerald R. Swedenberg
  • Patent number: 10890236
    Abstract: An operation method for a link actuating device provided with a target value input unit having a height direction target value input portion that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub. An input converter is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device. The input converter further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroshi Isobe, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 10883300
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a drive assembly of a closure element assembly of a motor vehicle, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive motor and, connected to the drive motor, a feed gearing for generating linear drive movements along a geometrical drive axis, wherein the drive motor and the feed gearing are arranged in a drive train of the drive assembly and the drive train extends between two mechanical drive connections for putting out drive movements and wherein the drive assembly comprises a brake for braking at least a portion of the drive train. It is proposed that the brake is designed such that the braking action of the brake is reduced with an increasing load in the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Michael Wittelsbuerger, Matthias Fischer, Harald Krueger, Michael Buchheim, Sebastian Schoedel
  • Patent number: 10883587
    Abstract: A differential device includes a ring gear receiving a rotational driving force from a drive gear, a differential case rotating integrally with the ring gear around a predetermined axis, and a differential mechanism installed within a barrel part of the differential case. The ring gear includes a gear portion meshing with the drive gear, and a rim portion that is formed integrally with an inner periphery of the gear portion and is fitted, in a non-welded state, onto a maximum diameter outer peripheral portion of the barrel part or a predetermined outer peripheral portion having a smaller diameter than the maximum diameter outer peripheral portion. The rim portion has a to-be-fixed portion welded to the barrel part at a position spaced in an axial direction from a fitting part via which the rim portion and the barrel part are fitted, the position being further radially inward than the fitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Uchida, Yoichi Yanase
  • Patent number: 10871226
    Abstract: A manual park release device includes a base portion. A handle portion is rotatably coupled to the base portion to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The handle portion during rotation toward the extended position exerts a pulling force to displace a tension cable connected to an automatic transmission of an automobile vehicle to change from a first park gear to a second neutral gear. A first locking feature releasably restricts rotational movement of the handle portion away from the retracted position. A second locking feature releasably restricts rotational movement of the handle portion away from the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventors: David Legault, Jian Ming Yan, Chadd Beals
  • Patent number: 10864811
    Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of input disks (124 & 126) and at least one output disk (128), which are arranged noncoaxially; and a plurality of tiltable rollers (136, 138 & 140) for operatively coupling the input disks (124 & 126) and the output disk (128) for transmitting the torque. The transmission system is adapted to be operated by the torque transmitted by at least one of the plurality of input disks (124 & 126) to the at least one output disk (128).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Atul A. Ranade
  • Patent number: 10859154
    Abstract: A screw drive includes a spindle and a nut with a nut body. The nut body has at least one hole for a fastening member that is configured to enable the screw drive to be fastened on a higher-level subassembly or on a higher-level construction component. The at least one hole is further configured as a coolant duct of a coolant path. In one embodiment, an interior space between the nut body and the spindle is configured as a coolant duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Schmaeling, Helmut Ament, Mario Ziegler, Michael Korbacher, Thomas Groganz
  • Patent number: 10836031
    Abstract: A plug-in adapter includes a thread designed to screw the plug-in adapter to an adjustment instrument, a plug-in device designed for detachably connecting the plug-in adapter to a counter plug-in device of an access opening on a robot for a reference position marking of the robot, and a stylus designed to couple a measuring tip of the adjustment instrument to the reference position marking. The plug-in device has a plug-in section that is designed for axially plugging of the plug-in section into the counter plug-in device of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Tscharnuter, Gernot Nitz, Gerhard Brändle
  • Patent number: 10840758
    Abstract: A robot drive unit is provided with: a first member and a second member rotated about a axis; a housing fixed to the first member; an output shaft member supported by the housing so as to rotate about the axis and fixed to the second member; a hollow shaft fixed to the output shaft member, and supported by the housing so as to rotate about the axis; and rotating-body sealing members seal a gap between the housing and the output shaft member and a gap between the housing and the hollow shaft, respectively. The hollow shaft is provided with: a shaft body made of a non-ferrous material; and a contact-surface member made of a material having a higher surface hardness than the shaft body and forms a contact surface to be in contact with the corresponding rotating-body sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Mizukoshi, Kazutaka Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10830318
    Abstract: The improved gearbox mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of cam-actuated simplified gear block assemblies, which transfer power from a power shaft to a secondary or output gear element. Each gear block assembly includes a gear block having a surface that periodically interfaces with a secondary or output gear element. In a preferred embodiment the interface surface comprises a plurality of projections or teeth which correspond to complementary projections or gear teeth on the output gear element. Each gear block assembly further includes a gear block, a torque lever arm, cam followers and/or a socket, which connect or link the gear block to a cam assembly, which in turn is connected to a power source. The cam assembly includes about its circumference a unique pathway or groove for each linkage assembly of a particular gear block assembly so that the movement of the gear block may be controlled in two dimensions in accordance with a certain design parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: MOTUS LABS, LLC
    Inventor: Carlos A. Hoefken
  • Patent number: 10823270
    Abstract: A double row roller cam transmission mechanism with backlash adjustment means is disclosed to include two passive wheels respectively provided with rollers, a transmission shaft with a spiral protrusion, and an adjustment device set operable to adjust the relative position between the two passive wheels so that the rollers of the two passive wheels can be respectively and positively abutted against the two opposite surfaces of the spiral protrusion of the transmission shaft to eliminate the backlash between the rollers and the spiral protrusion and to increase structural rigidity and transmission load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Chui-Tsai Chiu
  • Patent number: 10821599
    Abstract: A dual linear delta assembly includes a frame, a first linear delta system, and a second linear delta system concentric with the first linear delta system. Each of the first linear delta system and the second linear delta system may include rails mounted to the frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator coupled to a respective rail of the rails and configured to translate along a longitudinal length of the respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each operably coupled to a respective linear actuator of the linear actuators, and a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator of the linear actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 10816067
    Abstract: A linear actuation screw having a first end portion, a second end portion on an opposite side as the first end portion, and a sloping intermediate portion between the first end portion and second end portion. The first end portion has a threaded outer wall having a generally constant first diameter over at least a portion of its length and is configured to advance a nut or a sliding member along at least a portion of the first end portion. The second end portion has a threaded outer wall having a generally constant second diameter that is different from the first diameter and is configured to receive a motor fastening nut around it in order to secure the linear actuation screw to a motor. The sloping intermediate portion includes an outer wall that is generally smooth and continuous over at least a majority of the area of the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NSK Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: John Feitl, Koichi Morita, Takashi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10814500
    Abstract: A cable clamp includes a base member fixed to a predetermined position of an arm of a robot, a rotation mechanism provided on the base member, and a clamp base rotatably supported by the base member using the rotation mechanism. The clamp base includes a band winding portion which a fixation band is wound around, the fixation band is for fixing cables to the clamp base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 10800046
    Abstract: A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of flat-plate shaped first pieces that are connected to each other, and a plurality of second pieces having a cross-sectional U-shaped groove frame shape that are connected to each other. A leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces are joined by a head section. The first and second pieces become linearly rigid when the first pieces are joined to an upper part of the second pieces, and the first and second pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. Protrusion sections that protrude inward are extended in the width direction in a bottom plate of each second piece. Corners of edge parts of the protrusion sections are chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventors: Woo-Keun Yoon, Hiroaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10800047
    Abstract: An up/down section 4 of a robot arm mechanism includes: a pair of side frames disposed on a rotating section of a turning rotary joint; a cylindrical body supported in an axially rotatable manner by the side frames; a motor unit including a motor and a gearbox for rotationally driving the cylindrical body; connecting sections for connecting with an arm support body that movably supports an arm section; and a guide structure for guiding second pieces that were separated from first pieces into a columnar support section. The motor unit, connecting sections and guide structure are integrated with the cylindrical body. The motor unit is housed inside the cylindrical body, and an output shaft of the motor unit is connected to one of the side frames. The connecting sections are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. The guide structure is an annular body provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventor: Woo-Keun Yoon
  • Patent number: 10801594
    Abstract: A screw actuator, includes: a screw comprising a first helical contact surface and a first helical raceway surface; a nut comprising a second helical contact surface and a second helical raceway surface; and a plurality of ball bearings in a helical raceway formed by the first helical raceway surface and the second helical raceway surface. When the screw is loaded relative to the nut in a first axial direction, the first helical contact surface is compressed against the second helical contact surface. When the screw is loaded relative to the nut in a second axial direction, the plurality of ball bearings are compressed between the first helical raceway surface and the second helical raceway surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Burgess
  • Patent number: 10794186
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a rotary piston and cylinder device, comprising a rotor including a piston, a stator, a shutter including a slot to receive the piston, and a first gear and a gear sub-assembly, the first gear connectable to a rotatably mounted shutter of the device, and the first gear extending from a side of the shutter, and the first gear connected to the gear sub-assembly which converts rotation to an axis of rotation different to that of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Lontra Limited
    Inventor: Stephen F. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 10779902
    Abstract: A surgical system includes methods and systems for damping vibrations. The surgical system can include one or several moveable set-up linkages. A passive, active, or semi-active damper can be connected with one or several of the set-up linkages. The damper can mitigate a vibration arising in one of the set-up linkages and the damper can prevent a vibration arising in one of the linkages from affecting another of the set-up linkages. The active and semi-active dampers can be controlled with a feedback or a feed-forward model. In some embodiments, the system includes a first link supported by a base, a second link, a damper having a variable portion coupling the first link to the second link, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a movement or a vibration of the second link and adjust the variable portion of the damper based on the detected movement or vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Bruce M. Schena, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10772694
    Abstract: Disclosed are a compact activation member for operating a medical treatment tool, an activation mechanism having the activation member, and a method for fabricating the activation mechanism. An activation member is directed to an activation member which is provided in a housing as to be rotatable about a rotational axis and around which an elongate element for operating a treatment tool is wound. The activation member includes: a plurality of rotation members which rotate about the rotational axis; and a pressing member which engages with at least one of the plurality of rotation members. Each of the plurality of rotation members includes a surface provided with ridges and grooves. The plurality of rotation members are attached to a base of the housing by being pressed by the pressing member in an extending direction of the rotational axis, with the surfaces of the plurality of rotation members engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MEDICAROID CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Ishihara, Yu Usuki, Kenji Ago