Patents Examined by Eric S. McCall
  • Patent number: 11609150
    Abstract: A test stand for testing a bearing with a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring includes a rotatable drive flange for driving the first bearing ring, a holding bearing for supporting the bearing and for introducing a testing force into the bearing, and a drive motor. The holding bearing includes a first support ring arranged to be secured to the second bearing ring, a second support ring secured in a rotationally fixed manner, and an intermediate ring mounted between the first support ring and the second support ring in a relatively rotatable manner. The drive motor is coupled to the intermediate ring for rotating the intermediate ring relative to the first support ring and the second support ring. The bearing may be a wheel bearing of a motor vehicle. The first bearing ring may be an inner ring and the second bearing ring may be an outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Staudigel, Hermann Reichelt, Klaus Koenig
  • Patent number: 11604118
    Abstract: A module test machine includes a frame, a fixture, at most two actuators coupled to the fixture, and a controller. The frame is couplable to a first end of a strut module. The fixture is couplable to a second end of the strut module. The fixture includes a plurality of arms with a plurality of adjustable lengths. The at most two actuators are coupled to two of the plurality of arms and configured to impart a plurality of loads along six axes of force at the second end of the strut module. The controller is configured to control the at most two actuators in response to at most two actuator vectors. The plurality of adjustable lengths and the at most two actuator vectors are configured to replicate road load data at the second end of the strut module while under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alexander J. Dan, Scott P. Sherman, Timothy J. Colosky, Jarred J. Versical
  • Patent number: 11598695
    Abstract: A rotating-machine test fixture includes a base, a flexible member and a wedge member. The base includes a longitudinal axis and receives a rotating machine so that an axis of rotation of the rotating machine is aligned in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The flexible member includes a first end attached to the base at a first location and a second end slidably attached to the base at a second location to hold the received rotating machine against the base. The wedge member is coupled to the base and moves in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The wedge member may be selectably positioned between the received rotating machine and the base to align the axis of rotation of the rotating machine to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Dana Monroe
  • Patent number: 11597479
    Abstract: A testing device for testing a drive train or components within a marine propulsion system is provided and includes a first disk with a plurality of first disk depressions that faces a second disk with a plurality of second disk depressions. The first disk and the second disk are secured relative to each other so that they define a space, and a seal at outer edges of the disks is in fluid communication with the space. One of the first disk and the second disk is secured to a driven shaft. Upon rotation of the driven shaft, a load is produced due to shearing of fluid between the disks, yet no thrust is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Penta Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Carlson, III
  • Patent number: 11598709
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting the lifespan of a filter in an air cleaner based on machine learning. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a machine learning-based filter lifespan prediction method may more precisely predict the lifespan of a filter in an air cleaner by inputting fine dust concentration data and a history related to use of the air cleaner to a lifespan prediction model and determining the purifying efficiency and exchange time of the filter according to an output value. Intelligent air cleaner of the present disclosure can be associated with artificial intelligence modules, drones (unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)), robots, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, devices related to 5G service, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Youngsub Kim
  • Patent number: 11598302
    Abstract: A pump health assessment system and a method for providing a pump health of a pump is disclosed. The method includes: determining that there is an imbalance in the pump; increasing pump flow from the pump; measuring a rail pressure of a fuel rail; determining if the rail pressure is substantially equal to an expected rail pressure profile; and in accordance with a determination that the rail pressure is not substantially equal to the rail pressure profile, outputting an indication of pump damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Puckett, Bradley S. Bashore
  • Patent number: 11592357
    Abstract: To improve the identification of system parameters of a test setup of a test bench there is provision for the test setup to be dynamically excited on the test bench by virtue of a dynamic input signal being applied to the test setup. Measured values of the input signal of the test setup and of a resultant output signal of the test setup are recorded. A frequency response of the dynamic response of the test setup between the output signal and the input signal is determined using a nonparametric identification method. A model structure of a parametric model that maps the input signal onto the output signal is derived from the frequency response. The model structure and a parametric identification method are used to determine at least one system parameter of the test setup, and the at least one identified system parameter is used to perform the test run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Raja Sangili Vadamalu, Christian Beidl, Maximilian Bier
  • Patent number: 11592362
    Abstract: A method for generating material test samples for conducting material tests of a legacy steam turbine rotor having an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The method includes forming an annular ring of rotor material in the sample area and forming a material test sample from a portion of the annular ring. Also described is a legacy steam turbine rotor including an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The steam turbine rotor having a groove formed therein, and wherein the groove is machined to enable removal of material from the steam turbine rotor to form samples configured to enable at least one of conducting material property tests and operating the improved legacy steam turbine rotor at an expanded thermal stress compared to the legacy steam turbine rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank Biesinger, Andreas Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11592355
    Abstract: Embodiments of an axle monitoring system of the present invention generally include an oil bath cap plug equipped with a sensor assembly containing one or more power provision components, and an oil level monitor, a humidity/temperature sensor, a vibrational energy detector, and/or a GPS tracking chip, all of which are mounted on a microcircuit board, wherein the sensor assembly is adapted and configured to be fitted inside the axle oil bath cap plug. In various embodiments, information and/or data obtained by the sensor assembly can be transmitted, in raw or processed form, to one or more remote devices. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an axle monitoring system of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: John A. Vlahakis
  • Patent number: 11585730
    Abstract: Support structure adapted to form a collision object for use when testing a subject vehicle to simulate a real traffic environment, the support structure comprising a plurality of panels having a bending stiffness according to ISO 5628:2012 of 20 Nm to 60 Nm, such as 30 Nm to 50 Nm, such as 35 Nm to 45 Nm. A support structure adapted to form a collision object for use when testing a subject vehicle to simulate a real traffic environment, the support structure comprising a plurality of panels made from cardboard, is also provided. A collision object for use when testing a subject vehicle to simulate a real traffic environment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AstaZero AB
    Inventors: Peter Janevik, Niklas Lundin, Mats Petersson
  • Patent number: 11585728
    Abstract: A method and system for engine monitoring comprises a monitoring device and a remote device that are in communication. The monitoring device is incorporated in or directly attached to the internal combustion engine and functions to sense a characteristic of the internal combustion engine. The monitoring device is configured to transmit data representative of the sensed characteristic to a remote application running on a remote device. The remote device is configure to produce engine monitoring data from the transmitted data using engine characterising data stored on the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Christopher J. Green
  • Patent number: 11585729
    Abstract: A duct body (101) of a blowing device provided in a chassis dynamometer includes a bottom wall (31), a top wall (32) and a pair of side walls (33) that form a flow passage having a rectangular cross section. In each of the side wall (33), a vertically elongated window part (42) is formed for enabling the passage of vehicle restraint member such as a chain (5). Each window part (42) is closed through the tiled arrangement of a few cover plates (53, 54), and a chain plate set (100). The chain plate set (100) is formed through the sandwiching of an elastic sheet member (61, 62) having a restraint member through hole (63) and a slit (64) between an inner plate (51) and an outer plate (52) each having an opening part (57, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimichi Takahashi, Naoto Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11585725
    Abstract: A feed axis diagnostic device for a machine tool is provided. The machine tool machines a workpiece while driving a moving body with feed axes along a guide surface of a rolling guide mechanism. The feed axis diagnostic device includes a feed axis diagnostic unit configured to detect an abnormality in the rolling guide mechanism in the machine tool. The feed axis diagnostic unit is configured to acquire a feed speed during non-machining and a load applied to the feed axes at the feed speed. The abnormality is detected based on an approximate function calculated from relationships between a plurality of the feed speeds and a plurality of the loads acquired under a plurality of different feed speed conditions in a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Hongo
  • Patent number: 11577394
    Abstract: A deterioration diagnosis apparatus is for a mechanical apparatus including a power transmission mechanism that transmits power via a gear. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus includes: a storing unit that stores, in advance, a trend of change along with the operation of the mechanical apparatus, in consumption rate of an additive contained in lubricant used for the gear; and a determination unit that determines the period to be taken for the consumption rate of the additive to reach a predetermined value, based on the trend of change in the consumption rate of the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Taguchi, Keiichi Yamanaka, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Ryo Yamashita, Osamu Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 11579045
    Abstract: An emissions measurement system capable of providing an accurate, real-time measurement of an emissions sample is disclosed. The exhaust may be generated by an internal combustion engine, in which case the system may be sequentially connected to the exhaust from the internal combustion engine. The emissions measurement system can include a laser light opacity sensor, a light scattering sensor, and a particle ionization sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3DATX Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Miller, John William Hynd, Gurdas S. Sandhu, Andrew D. Burnette, Karl Ropkins
  • Patent number: 11573193
    Abstract: A resistance-integrated gas sensor is provided, including a substrate, a first metal oxide layer, an insulating layer, a contact metal layer, a contact hole, a second metal oxide layer, and an interdigitated electrode layer. The first metal oxide layer is disposed in the substrate. The insulating layer is disposed on the substrate and the first metal oxide layer. The contact metal layer and the contact hole are disposed in the insulating layer. The second metal oxide layer is disposed on the insulating layer. A portion of the interdigitated electrode layer is disposed on the insulating layer, and another portion is disposed in the second metal oxide layer. The contact metal layer and the contact hole connect the first metal oxide layer and the interdigitated electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Nuvoton Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jie-Chun Luo
  • Patent number: 11565683
    Abstract: A quick-detachable brake fluid test structure comprising a body and a front assembly body, the body has at least one front assembly hole and at least one front fixing member, and is provided with at least one connecting plate and a fixing seat inside, a conductive wire is assembled on the connecting plate, and at least one temperature sensor is disposed on the fixing seat. The front assembly body is disposed at a position of a front end of the body, a side of the front assembly body is formed with at least one fixing hole communicating with the front assembly hole and provided for the front fixing member to be assembled and fixed. The front assembly body is provided with a front sleeve, and accommodated with a heating element and a heat conductive pipe respectively connected to the connecting plate and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: PEACEFUL THRIVING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia Hsun Huang, Shih Hsiang Chien
  • Patent number: 11566970
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to test stands for generating test runs on the basis of a test drive using a vehicle along a driving route. In some embodiments, a test stand determines at least one idle operating time of an internal combustion engine and/or at least one overrun operating time of the internal combustion engine from a time curve of a vehicle speed and a time curve of a gas pedal position. The test stand may further set a specified idle control mode instead of the operating control mode during an idle operating time and/or a specified overrun control mode is set instead of the operating control mode during an overrun operating time in the test stand automation unit in order to carry out the test run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Felix Pfister, Wolfgang Winkler, Emre Kural, Camillo Signor, Gerald Hoehmann
  • Patent number: 11566966
    Abstract: There is provided a method of specifying a location of occurrence of an abnormal sound, the method including: storing mapping data in a storage device, the mapping data prescribing mapping that receives, as inputs, a sound variable that matches a sound detected in a vehicle and a state variable of a drive-system device of the vehicle synchronized with the sound, and that outputs a location as a main cause of the sound; executing a sound signal acquisition process of acquiring a sound signal output from a microphone that detects a sound; a state variable acquisition process of acquiring the state variable of the drive-system device; and a specifying process of specifying the location of occurrence of the sound corresponding to the sound signal using the sound variable and the state variable as inputs to the mapping. There are also provided a non-transitory storage medium and an in-vehicle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Kota Fujii, Ken Imamura
  • Patent number: 11561153
    Abstract: An instrumentation assembly configured to measure properties of an engine exhaust stream is disclosed in this paper. The instrumentation assembly may include an outer support ring that extends around a central axis, an inner support ring arranged radially inward of the outer support ring around the central axis, and a plurality of instrumentation rake assemblies. The plurality of instrumentation rake assemblies extends from the outer support ring to the inner support ring across an annular passageway defined between the outer support ring and the inner support ring configured to carry the engine exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O'Leary, Nathan Ottow