Patents Examined by F. Daniel Lopez
  • Patent number: 10495203
    Abstract: A torque converter which is a hydraulic torque converter that transmits power via a fluid, includes: a shell which is connected to a power transmission source, and is rotated by the power of the power transmission source; an impeller blade which is fixed to an inner surface of the shell, and generates a flow in the fluid by rotating together with the shell; and a turbine runner which is connected to a power transmission destination, and is rotated by the flow of the fluid, in which the impeller blade has an inlet angle which is equal to or less than 0 degrees, and in which at least a part of an inlet portion to which the fluid enters is bent toward a rotational direction side of the impeller blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihisa Tsuzuki, Ayumi Mori
  • Patent number: 10487474
    Abstract: System and method for a lock valve for a hydraulic actuator. The lock valve includes a valve housing coupled to the hydraulic actuator. The valve housing defines a chamber in selective fluid communication with a hydraulic circuit. The lock valve includes a valve body received within the chamber and responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move to an unlock position in which the lock valve is unlocked. The valve body includes a rod having a first end and an opposite second end. The valve body includes a head coupled to the rod between the first end and the second end. The head is responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move the valve body to the unlock position, and in the unlock position, the first end of the rod extends outwardly from the valve housing to visually indicate the lock valve is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul D. Marvin, Jeffrey R. Hochstatter
  • Patent number: 10472924
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprises a chamber, a first line, a second line, and an auxiliary line. The chamber allows fluid to move therethrough and comprises a movable element therein. The first line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The auxiliary line connects the first line and the second line and comprises a valve to selectively allow fluid communication between the first line and the second line as the movable element is moved in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher D. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 10473123
    Abstract: The invention provides a metal bellows type accumulator having an outer shell provided in its one end with a pressure introducing passage in an opening manner, an axially expandable metal bellows including peak portions directed to an outer side in a radial direction and trough portions directed to an inner side alternately in an axial direction, having an axially fixed end to the outer shell and separating an inner chamber of the outer shell into a pressure introducing chamber and a gas chamber charged with cushion gas, and a support member arranged in an inner periphery of the metal bellows, fixed to the outer shell and constructed by a cushioning member. A clearance in a radial direction between the trough portions of the metal bellows and the support member is smaller than a clearance in a radial direction between the peak portions of the metal bellows and the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Hyodo
  • Patent number: 10465667
    Abstract: Provided is a variable displacement pump which includes a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinder bores formed in a rotation shaft in a circumferential direction and rotating together with the rotation shaft, a piston provided inside each of the plurality of cylinder bores to be slidable, and a swash plate supported to be tiltable with respect to the rotation shaft while a distal end portion of the piston is slidable thereon and which sucks and discharges a working fluid by moving the piston in a reciprocating manner with a stroke in accordance with an inclination angle of the swash plate, the variable displacement pump including: a control piston which includes a piston portion pressing the swash plate and controls the inclination angle of the swash plate; a piston accommodation portion which is formed in the housing and accommodates the piston portion; and a hollow cylindrical guide portion which is disposed between the piston accommodation portion and the piston portion and includes an inner perip
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Tsutomu Matsuo, Naoya Yokomachi, Yuki Ueda, Takashi Uno
  • Patent number: 10465780
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a torque converter having a housing forming a hydraulic chamber, a rotor for an electric motor, a rotor carrier non-rotatably connected to the rotor, wherein the rotor carrier is fixed to the torque converter housing, and a seal is disposed between the torque converter housing and rotor carrier for sealing therebetween. In some example embodiments, the rotor assembly has at least one bolt for fixing the torque converter housing to the rotor carrier. In some embodiments, the rotor carrier includes an aperture and the at least one bolt is disposed in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gabe Pyers, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger, Allen McAfoos
  • Patent number: 10465518
    Abstract: A pneumatic engine includes a plurality of pneumatic motors and an engine drive shaft. Each motor has a motor gas inlet, a motor gas outlet, and a rotor driven by gas flow between the motor gas inlet and the motor gas outlet. The engine drive shaft is drivingly coupled to the motor drive shaft of each of the pneumatic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SUNNYCO INC.
    Inventor: Bun Wong
  • Patent number: 10464542
    Abstract: Brake fluid reservoir valve for installation in the reservoir's outlet tube. It includes an outer sleeve fixed in the reservoir tube and equipped with an outer stop and a hollow piston housed in the sleeve. The top of the piston is closed and bordered by a groove accommodating an o-ring seal that rests upon the upper edge of the sleeve whenever the piston enters the sleeve. The piston has windows beneath the groove communicating with the interior of the piston and lugs near its lower extremity. Openings are provided in the extension of the piston beneath the lugs. A compression spring is inserted between the piston and the outer sleeve, between the stop and the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Carole Charpentier, David Bazaud, Eligiusz Stefaniak, Laurent Lhuillier, Sebastien Dusch
  • Patent number: 10458443
    Abstract: An actuator includes a piston and a housing. The piston includes a piston shaft that is configured to reciprocate within the housing. The actuator also includes a conductor coupled to the piston within the housing and configured to electrically couple the piston to the housing as the piston reciprocates within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin S. Callahan, Christopher E. Plass, Matthew A. Moser
  • Patent number: 10451093
    Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder includes a cushion bearing provided movably on an outer periphery of the piston rod; a flange portion provided on the piston rod by facing the piston with the cushion bearing between them; and a collar provided movably in a radial direction on the outer periphery of the piston rod between the cushion bearing and the flange portion. End surfaces of the cushion bearing and the collar are inclined symmetrically to a center axis of the piston rod, and end surfaces of the flange portion and the collar are formed having plane shapes crossing the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KYB-YS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kobayashi, Tatsuya Hirai, Shinji Satou
  • Patent number: 10451091
    Abstract: Methods of modifying a GM Powerglide low range servo assembly for high line pressure applications as well as replacement components for Powerglide low range servo assemblies and replacement low range servo assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company
    Inventors: Todd V. Mangiagli, Randall R. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10443628
    Abstract: A hydraulic boom control system for a forestry machine includes a pump for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid on a high pressure side, a reservoir for storing hydraulic fluid on a low pressure side, and a first hydraulic cylinder including a cap end and a rod end. The first hydraulic cylinder is configured to actuate the hoist of the boom. A second hydraulic cylinder includes a cap end and a rod end and is configured to actuate the stick of the boom. A first control valve is operable to control the first hydraulic cylinder. A second control valve is operable to control the second hydraulic cylinder. A variable return metering valve is fluidly connected to at least one of the first or second control valves. The variable return metering valve is operable to modulate shared hydraulic fluid flow between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: John R. Mahrenholz, Calin Raszga
  • Patent number: 10443537
    Abstract: A piston for a heavy duty diesel engine including a composite layer forming at least a portion of a combustion surface is provided. The composite layer has a thickness greater than 500 microns and includes a mixture of components typically used to form brake pads, such as a thermoset resin, an insulating component, strengthening fibers, and an impact toughening additive. According to one example, the thermoset resin is a phenolic resin, the insulating component is a ceramic, the strengthening fibers are graphite, and the impact toughening additive is an aramid pulp of fibrillated chopped synthetic fibers. The composite layer also has a thermal conductivity of 0.8 to 5 W/m·K. The body portion of the piston can include an undercut scroll thread to improve mechanical locking of the composite layer. The piston can also include a ceramic insert between the body portion and the composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Inc.
    Inventors: Warran Boyd Lineton, Ross Allen Evers, Greg Salenbien
  • Patent number: 10434835
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator circuit is disclosed for use with first and second shock absorbers, which each may include a piston disposed within a housing. The piston helps define upper and lower working chambers. The circuit may have a motor, a first pump, driven by the motor, and is associated with the first shock absorber and the motor. A second pump, driven by the motor, may be associated with the second shock absorber. A first accumulator communicates with both of the first and second pumps. A first switch valve may assist in controlling fluid flow into the chambers of the first shock absorber. A second switch valve may assist in controlling fluid flow into the chambers of the second shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventors: Kristoff Six, Stefan Deferme, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 10428933
    Abstract: A transmission valve manifold can include a single, unitary, monolithic, manifold body (14). The body (14) can have a plurality of fluid passageways (550, 554, 558, 562, 566) and fluid chambers (130a-d, 134a-d, 326a-f, 338a-c, 510a-h). Each chamber (130a-d, 134a-d, 326a-f, 338a-c, 510a-h) can receive one of a cylinder body (142a-d, 146a-d), solenoid valve (22a-f), or spool valve (30a-h). A first passageway (550, 554, 558, 562, 566) can follow a path that extends along three axes through an interior of the body (14) to connect at least one of the chambers (130a-d, 134a-d, 326a-f, 338a-c, 510a-h) with at least one other chamber (130a-d, 134a-d, 326a-f, 338a-c, 510a-h). The first passageway (550, 554, 558, 562, 566) can overlap a second passageway (550, 554, 558, 562, 566) within the body (14). The body (14) can be manufactured by laser sintering of successive layers of laser sinterable material (1022).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Mills
  • Patent number: 10428949
    Abstract: A header ring for use in a stuffing box comprising an annular body portion of an elastomeric material, an annular radially inward projecting sealing lip portion formed on said body portion and an annular, axially facing pedestal portion formed on said body portion, said pedestal portion defining an annularly extending radially inwardly facing pedestal surface, the sealing lip portion defining an annularly extending, radially inward facing sealing surface, the sealing surface and the pedestal surface forming a juncture, at least a portion of the pedestal portion adjacent the juncture and forming the pedestal surface and at least a portion of the sealing lip portion adjacent the juncture and forming a portion of the sealing surface being comprised of a layer of reinforced elastomeric material bonded to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: UTEX Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Miller, Robert H. Ash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10428841
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic system for use at great water depths includes a vessel, a hydrostatic machine, and an electric machine. The vessel has an interior space configured to form a volume that is closed off with respect to the surroundings and that accommodates a hydraulic pressure fluid. The vessel includes a compensation piston configured to subject the hydraulic pressure fluid in the interior space to at least approximately the pressure prevailing in the surroundings. The hydrostatic machine is configured to be operated as a pump. The electric machine is mechanically coupled to the hydrostatic machine and operates as an electric motor in order to operate the hydrostatic machine as a pump. The hydrostatic machine and the electric machine are arranged in the interior space of the vessel. The compact electrohydraulic system fits on existing installations and on new installations. The electrohydraulic system also includes a compact process valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Knoell, Alexandre Orth, Alexander Koertgen, Gerard Swagten
  • Patent number: 10427752
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, and a fluid passageway. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The hydraulic cylinder is provided on the base member and includes a cylinder bore. The piston is movably provided in the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore and the piston define a hydraulic chamber. The fluid passageway is connected to the hydraulic chamber. The fluid passageway is provided inside the base member. The fluid passageway has a length longer than a stroke of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Keiji Matsueda, Kentaro Kosaka, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10422109
    Abstract: A shovel includes a turning hydraulic motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pilot circuit, a hydraulic control valve, a variable throttle, and a controller. The turning hydraulic motor is driven with hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to drive a turning body of the shovel to turn. The hydraulic cylinder is driven with the hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump. The pilot circuit controls a pilot pressure in accordance with the operation of an operation lever. The hydraulic control valve controls the hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic cylinder in accordance with the pilot pressure supplied from the pilot circuit. The opening of the variable throttle varies in accordance with the operating state of the operation lever. The controller changes the opening of the variable throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10422331
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of diaphragm assemblies for diaphragm pumps and methods for manufacturing such diaphragm assemblies are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a diaphragm pump may include an inflexible central core and a flexible diaphragm body surrounding the inflexible central core. The inflexible central core may include a reinforced thermoplastic and the flexible diaphragm body may include a thermoplastic elastomer. The flexible diaphragm body is bonded directly to the inflexible central core. The diaphragm assembly may include a mounting bolt having a head end and a threaded end. The inflexible central core surrounds the head end of the mounting bolt and the threaded end of the mounting bolt extends outside of the inflexible central core. The inflexible central core may include multiple raised features that cooperate to define cavities in the inflexible central core. The flexible diaphragm body fills the cavities of the inflexible central core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Ezzo, Dale Treml, James Simmons