Patents Examined by David M. Fenstermacher
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Patent number: 11427245Abstract: An actuator of a steering system having a housing (2), a spindle drive arranged in the housing (2) which includes an axially movable spindle (5) that engages with a spindle nut (6) mounted in a fixed position. The spindle has at least one fastening end (8, 9), and at least one bearing journal (10, 11) arranged and able to move in the housing (2). The journal is connected to the at least one fastening end (8, 9) of the spindle (5), with at least one joint connection component (3, 4) which is arranged outside the housing (2) and is connected to the at least one bearing journal (10, 11). The at least one bearing journal (10, 11, 110) has a constriction (10v, 11v) that forms a flexible zone (122).Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Dirk Graeuler, Paul Felix Vähning
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Patent number: 11428298Abstract: A device for rotating a toothed wheel, including a linear piezoelectric motor including: a passive element having an elongated shape, a piezoelectric actuator capable of axially moving the passive element in a bidirectional manner, a transmission member fastened to the passive element, meshing with a toothing of the wheel in such a way as to rotate the wheel by one tooth in a first direction of rotation when the passive element is moved axially in a first direction of movement, a jumper mobile between two end positions, including a lowered position in which it blocks a rotation of the wheel in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer
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Patent number: 11421763Abstract: A linear actuator assembly includes a motor. The linear actuator assembly also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the motor. The linear actuator assembly further includes a nut coupled to the ball screw and rotationally fixed, the nut translatable along the ball screw upon rotation of the ball screw. The linear actuator assembly yet further includes a flange having a first surface and a second surface, the nut mounted to the first surface and the second surface having a non-planar geometry, the non-planar geometry defined by curvature about an axis from a first side of the flange to a second side of the flange, the first side and the second side of the flange being on opposite sides of the flange from each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: ROCKFORD BALL SCREWInventor: Neil Sommerville
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Patent number: 11421760Abstract: A linear actuator includes a case, a driving module, a main gear, a reinforcing seat, and a threaded shaft. The case includes a first receiving space, a second receiving space, and a bore. The driving module is disposed within the first receiving space. The main gear is disposed within the second receiving space and linked with the driving module. The reinforcing seat is disposed within the second receiving space and connected to the main gear. The reinforcing seat includes a reinforcing seat body, and a reinforcing seat flange connected to the reinforcing seat body and engaged with the annular groove. One end of the threaded shaft passes through the bore and the main gear to be restricted by the reinforcing seat, and the threaded shaft is linked with the main gear.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: J-STAR MOTOR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Wei-Fan Wu
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Patent number: 11415202Abstract: An articulation mechanism for large scale mobile aggregate system equipment. The mechanism includes a screw device that is pivotally secured to an elongated portion of the equipment to drive its movement to and from a collapsed position. The screw device is driven by a screw jack and moved within a housing while the housing itself is pivotally secured to another portion of the equipment. Rollers within the housing may be used to stabilize the lateral movement of the screw device during the opening, closing or self-locking of the elongated portion by the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: LIBERTY OILFIELD SERVICES LLCInventor: Hau Nguyen-Phuc Pham
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Patent number: 11415213Abstract: Apparatus and method for promptly repairing the shift cable end in various motor vehicles. The prompt repair of the shift cable end in various motor vehicles without the replacement of the entire shift cable apparatus is accomplished using a specialized hushing made to fit securely within the shift cable and engage the shift lever, thus operably coupling the shift lever and shift cable end. In particular embodiments, a drilling tool is used to enlarge the coupling aperture within the shift cable end and a specialized bushing is inserted into the shift cable end. The bushing has a coupling means to simulate the factory installed coupling mechanism and an alignment and securing means for maintain the bushing's alignment and securing it within the shift cable end. The shift lever is then inserted into the bushing.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Inventor: Loring Smith
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Patent number: 11415117Abstract: A torque conversion device has: a second rotor having a second rotating shaft parallel to a first rotating shaft of a first rotor; link portions having first mounting portions attached to the first rotor, and second mounting portions attached to the second rotor, the link portions interposed between first rotor and second rotor; and weights mounted to the link portions and located on either side of the first mounting portions. The distance between first mounting portions and second mounting portions is equal to the distance between first rotating shaft and second rotating shaft, and the distance between first rotating shaft and first mounting portions is equal to the distance between the second rotating shaft and the second mounting portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Inventor: Tomoaki Takada
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Patent number: 11407622Abstract: A cable cylinder (100) comprising a frame (1);—a pin (2) mounted on the frame and extending along a first axis (Oy);—a nut (4) engaging with the pin (2);—a first cable (10) coupled to the nut or the pin (2) and intended to be functionally connected to an element to be moved;—a motor (3) designed to rotate the pin (2) or the nut (4); characterised in that the first cable (6) comprises at least a first section (6.1) extending substantially parallel to the first axis (Ox), and the first cable (6) is designed to exert opposing forces on rotation of the nut (4) by the pin (2) or of the pin (2) by the nut (4) in order to constitute anti-rotation means so that a rotation of the pin (2) or of the bolt (4) under the action of the motor (3) causes a relative movement of the nut (4) and of the pin (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventor: Philippe Garrec
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Patent number: 11408491Abstract: An electromechanical actuator assembly comprises a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator are coupled together end-to-end and are independently operable. A method of actuating a moveable element using an actuator assembly, comprises: coupling a first actuator between a fixed structure and a second actuator so that the first actuator is operable to move the second actuator relative to the fixed structure; coupling the second actuator to the moveable element; and moving the moveable element by moving the second actuator using the first actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.Inventor: Giacomo Mezzino
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Patent number: 11408493Abstract: A linear actuator includes a main body and a gear box structure. The main body includes a housing, a motor, a composite worm gear assembly and a threaded rod. The housing includes an inner space. The composite worm gear assembly is disposed in the inner space and driven by the motor. The threaded rod is connected to the composite worm gear assembly. The gear box structure is detachably connected to the main body, and includes a lower cover, an upper cover and a controlling unit. The lower cover is detachably embedded in the housing, and includes a side notch and a lower notch. The upper cover is slidably and correspondingly covered with the lower cover to form an accommodation space. The controlling unit is disposed in the inner space. The side notch is corresponding to the composite worm gear assembly. The lower notch is corresponding to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: J-STAR MOTOR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Wei-Fan Wu
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Patent number: 11391369Abstract: The present invention relates to a shift-by-wire (SBW) device and, more specifically, to an actuator and reduction gear structure of a shift-by-wire device. A shift-by-wire device according to the present invention comprises: a housing; a motor which generates torque by means of an applied current; a hollow rotor shaft; a reduction gear which receives the transmission of the torque of the motor, converts same and transmits same to an output; an output shaft which passes through inside the rotor shaft, has an encoder magnet provided on one end thereof, has the other end directly connected to a manual shaft, and transmits the torque increased by means of the reduction gear to a detent plate; and a controller disposed inside the housing and for detecting the position of the output from the encoder magnet.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Hyundai Kefico CorporationInventors: Young Dae Min, Ho Young Kim, Ji Hwan Oh, Nam Kyu Kim
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Patent number: 11384724Abstract: A permanently engaged starter system for use in a vehicle includes a flex plate. The vehicle includes a crankshaft and an engine block. The flex plate extends along and is rotatable about an axis. The flex plate is adapted to be rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The permanently engaged starter system also includes a one-way clutch including an outer and inner race. The permanently engaged starter system additionally includes a ring gear rotatably coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race of the one-way clutch. The permanently engaged starter system further includes a starter support plate, and a pilot support plate coupled to the ring gear. The pilot support plate is fixedly coupled to the starter support plate and is configured to axially and radially align and retain the ring gear and one of the inner race and the outer race with respect to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Calahan B. Campton, Michael W. Campbell
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Patent number: 11383793Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbHInventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
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Patent number: 11377162Abstract: A soft biomimetic legged robot is provided in the present invention, including a plurality of soft robotic arms. The soft robotic arms include a plurality of motion units, and each of the motion units includes one or more of a twist module, an extension module, a contraction, and a bending module. The plurality of motion units is combined to achieve a full-posture motion of the soft robotic arms. By using soft robotic arms composed of different motion units, the soft biomimetic legged robot of the present invention can not only realize the underwater swimming and crawling, but the crawling on land or slopes, thereby adapting to more complicated environments and achieving richer functions. The motion posture is not limited to a single bending, twisting, extension, and shortening. The soft robotic arm can achieve full-posture movements, and its motion type is more complete.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: HARBIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Liang Ding, Haibo Gao, Lizhou Niu, Yang Su, Zongquan Deng, Nan Li, Zhen Liu
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Patent number: 11371606Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for reading off predetermined positions of a gear lever (11). A sensor arrangement (1) with a first sensor component (10) moves with the gear lever (11) and a plurality of second sensor components (S21-S25) interacts with the first sensor component (10), wherein in each of the predetermined positions of the gear lever (11), the first sensor component (10) interacts with at least one second sensor component (S21-S25). A position determination unit (30) compares the current sensor output values with stored sensor output values in a table (40). When a faulty condition is detected in one of the sensor components (S21-S25), the stored sensor output values for the faulty sensor component are updated with the faulty output value of the faulty sensor component in the table (40) of expected sensor output values.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventor: Johan Viktor Friestedt
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Patent number: 11371269Abstract: An activation device for at least two spatially separated motor vehicle closure units, for example for a tailgate latch on the one hand and a fuel filler door latch on the other hand. The activation device possesses a linear drive with a linear actuator. Dependent on its activation direction, the linear drive impinges either the first motor vehicle closure unit or the other second motor vehicle closure unit. According to the invention, dependent on its actuating direction, the linear actuator impinges at least a pivotable activation lever to interact with either the first motor vehicle closure unit or the other second motor vehicle closure unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Kiekert AGInventor: Robert S. Pettengill
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Patent number: 11371594Abstract: A supplemental driver assembly is disclosed that includes a supplemental drive gear having an upper portion including a tool engagement recess and circumferential supplemental drive gear teeth, and a cylindrical neck extending axially from the upper portion to an output shaft having one or more drive engagement protrusions, as well as a drive guide housing with a gear pocket for housing the upper portion of the supplemental drive gear, the gear pocket including a cylindrical pocket wall extending from a perimeter of a pocket floor, the pocket wall having a drive guide passage extending therethrough for receiving a side adjuster tool, wherein the gear pocket receives the supplemental drive gear and allows for rotational movement of the upper portion within the gear pocket, and a cylindrical collar extending axially from the gear pocket.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Asyst Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Scott T. Fladhammer
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Patent number: 11359705Abstract: A generator (100) and/or machine (110) generating mechanical energy and functioning on the principle of exploitation of an energy allowing the existence of centrifugal forces (Fc) on masses (120) being displaced in rotation, into an effective elliptic trajectory (150), about a respective shaft (128) freely rotatably mounted on a plate (122) itself freely rotatably mounted on a main shaft (202) freely rotatably mounted on a fixed chassis (140). The centrifugal forces generated by the masses (120) transmit a rotational oscillating movement of the plate (122) transferred by a mechanical energy transmission mechanism into a continuous rotation movement to an output torque mechanism freely mounted on the main shaft (202).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Inventor: Jamel Jebari
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Patent number: 11362566Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission comprises an input disc and an output disc which are disposed to face each other; a power roller which is tiltably disposed between the input disc and the output disc and transmits a rotational driving force of the input disc to the output disc in a transmission ratio corresponding to a tilt motion angle of the power roller; a trunnion including a base on which the power roller is rotatably mounted, and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the power roller in an axial direction of a tilt motion shaft of the power roller in such a manner that the pair of side walls extend upward from the base and face a peripheral surface of the power roller, and a beam mounted on the pair of side walls, the beam extending in the axial direction of the tilt motion shaft, on a side opposite to the base when viewed from a position of the power roller, wherein the beam includes a pair of contact portions, each of the contact portions being configured to contact an end surfacType: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenichiro Tanaka, Hideyuki Imai, Akihito Abe
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Patent number: 11358842Abstract: A thrust chain device that induces an open thrust chain with a thrust portion and a housing portion, a thrust chain guide on a thrust portion of the thrust chain, a driving sprocket provided with teeth interlocking with the thrust chain, and a storage space of the housing portion, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SERAPID—FRANCEInventors: Ivan Seigneur, Alexandre Debeauvais