Patents Examined by Gregory Binda
  • Patent number: 9388862
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for helicopters with gimballed rotors, in which the hub of a rotor is supported on a transmission shaft by means of a cardan's suspension composed of a first inner ring with a revolute connection to two opposite pins of the carrier connected to transmission shaft and a second outer ring with a revolute connection to two opposite pins of the hub. The rings are also interconnected by swivel opposite pins, in quadrature with respect to the pins connected to the transmission shaft and to the pins of the hub, whose common axis is stably maintained in a plane, which bisects the angle between the axes of rotation of the hub and the transmission shaft, by at least one device, which is connected to the transmission shaft and to the hub, thus obtaining a homokinetic transmission of rotational motion between the transmission shaft and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: K4A S.R.L.
    Inventor: Vladimiro Lidak
  • Patent number: 9388861
    Abstract: A universal joint of the present disclosure includes a first joint yoke and a second joint yoke. A first joint axis is formed at a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a first shaft connected to the first joint yoke and a second joint axis is formed at a second angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a second shaft connected to the second joint yoke. At least one of the first and second angles of the first and second joint yokes may be an obtuse angle or an acute angle. A connection element is configured to couple the first joint yoke to the second joint yoke via the first and second joint axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Olav Lange
  • Patent number: 9388863
    Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism 1 includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a rotating shaft 4; a pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 interposed between both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and adapted to transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 in an R direction to the rotating shaft 4 through both coupling base bodies 3 and 5; an intermediate interposed member 8 interposed between the pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7; and a coupling means 9 for coupling the pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9382786
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system (ESP) for pumping fluids from a wellbore is made of segments, which include a motor, a seal section, a pump, and a shaft assembly connected to an output of the motor drives the pump. The motor, seal section, and pump are elongate members and coupled end to end to one another by housing connectors and shaft connectors. At least one of the housing connectors and shaft connectors have portions that are pivotable with other portions, so that adjacent segments of the ESP system can pivot with respect to one another. The housing connector can be a ball and socket assembly, where the ball fits within a spherically shaped chamber in the socket assembly. Opposing ends of the housing connector can mount to respective segments by threads or bolt flanges. The pivotal shaft connector may be a universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sergio Alejandro Pesek, Luis A. Moncada, Scott Clayton Strattan
  • Patent number: 9382932
    Abstract: Paper cylinders or tubes may be connected to one another using any of a variety of connectors. The connectors incorporate features that may facilitate connecting the paper cylinders or tubes at a wide range of angles to form a variety of two- and three -dimensional shapes, while obviating the need to use tape or glue, thereby potentially improving the aesthetics of objects produced using the connectors. Further, objects produced using the connectors disclosed herein can be disassembled, facilitating reuse of the paper cylinders or tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Play from Scratch LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Freeland Nelson
  • Patent number: 9382950
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft having a first recess proximate a first end, and a second recess proximate a second end. The assembly also includes a first key within the first recess, a second key within the second recess, a first end housing, and a second end housing. The assembly further includes a first thrust bearing seat coaxially disposed within a first receptacle of the first end housing and including a first end, a second end, and a first length L1 measured axially between the second end and the first end, and a second thrust bearing seat coaxially disposed within a second receptacle of the second end housing and including a first end, a second end, and a second length L2 measured axially between the second end and the first end. L1 and L2 are both fixed and L2 is greater than L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick William Pheasey, Jeremy S. Clements
  • Patent number: 9382968
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a driven unit, and a torsional coupling between a crankshaft of the engine and a driveshaft of the driven unit. The torsional coupling includes a driven-side disc coupled to the driveshaft, and a flywheel having an engine-side disc coupled to the crankshaft. The engine-side disc has an axial thickness in a discontinuous thickness range from about 0.2 inches to about 0.3 inches, so as to flex the engine-side disc predominantly over the driven-side disc in response to the driveline deflecting loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Paulson, Xinmin Xu
  • Patent number: 9377059
    Abstract: A vibration damper and a drive shaft comprising a vibration damper having a small radial extent is provided. A first shaft part is provided with a sleeve and a second shaft part is provided with an inner part which extends axially into the sleeve. The sleeve and the inner part include longitudinal rotary drivers that engage negative profiles of an damping part which is elastically deformable in the direction of shaft rotation and includes at least one decoupling ring and at least one pair of rotation limiting rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Amtek Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Ebert, Martin Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9377058
    Abstract: A flexible coupling including two body members each having an internal flexible member to cooperate with a rotational shaft and an external connecting member interconnecting two body members with each other. In order to minimize the axial length of the coupling maintaining its high torsional rigidity but enabling for compensation of substantial shafts misalignments such as parallel, angular or skewed axial misalignment, the internal flexible member passes over the coupling axis forming cavities between the flexible member and internal walls of the external connecting member in a plane perpendicular to the coupling axis and is provided with at least one flexible section between the connecting member and the coupling axis, the flexible section being substantially parallel to the coupling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Men
  • Patent number: 9377039
    Abstract: A force introduction fitting for lightweight components comprises two radial force introduction faces, at least one axial force introduction face and at least one receiving means for mounting and force introduction of the force introduction fitting. The radial force introduction face and the axial force introduction face enclose a cavity. The radial force introduction face and the axial force introduction face form a one-piece component. A wall is located between the radial force introduction faces and the axial force introduction face, and extends non-parallel to the axial force introduction face, at least in portions, and comprises a bearing face for fitting a retaining face of an anchor part. A force introduction fitting of this type can be produced by using a selective laser melting method. The force introduction fitting can thus be adapted flexibly to loading conditions and has advantageous material properties and a low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Claus Emmelmann, Frank-Michael Klaukien, Jannis Kranz, Eric Wycisk, Jan Sassmannshausen
  • Patent number: 9377044
    Abstract: A tuning pin assembly for mounting a first structural component to a second structural component. A locating pin is fixed to the first component and has a shaft with an outer surface that is concentric about a pin axis. An eccentric cap has a radially inner pin engagement surface that is mounted on the outer surface and is concentric about the pin axis, a radially outer alignment surface that is eccentric about the pin axis and slides into an alignment hole in the second component to align the second component relative to the first component. A first rotation resistance feature is located on at least one of the outer surface of the locating pin and the pin engagement surface of the eccentric cap engaging between the outer surface and the pin engagement surface to resist torque applied to the eccentric cap to rotate the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Spinivasa A. Mandadapu
  • Patent number: 9377079
    Abstract: A dynamic platform with extending struts has fastened thereto a bi-directional torsional power unit to selectively deliver force opposing either extension or flexion, and to provide assistance in a respective opposite direction. The power unit is threadably mounted on a hinge pin (spline) centrally located on the platform, and is latched to a catch assembly radially located thereto, the hinge pin of the platform communicating with one end of a torsion spring of the power unit and the catch assembly communicating with another end of the torsion spring, to selectively deliver the extension/flexion force. The power unit can be detached, with simple manual operation of the catch assembly, without tools, flipped over and reattached to the same platform attachment points to switch (reverse) extension torque to flexion torque and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Ultraflex Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark DeHarde
  • Patent number: 9371642
    Abstract: In a device for attachment of a surface shaped wall element between two upright poles which have two positions for the wall element, an unstable readiness position and a locked position, at least one encircling mounting is provided on each pole for support of the wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Troax AB
    Inventors: Ronny Herbertsson, Staffan Bengtsson
  • Patent number: 9371877
    Abstract: A spring includes at least one spring portion that extends over an arc of at least 90° when projected onto a cross-sectional area perpendicular to a force direction of the spring in an unloaded condition thereof. The spring portion has an elliptical shape in the projection. A system including one or more springs is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stojan Cegar, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 9371864
    Abstract: The constant velocity joint has the input shaft (1), the output shaft (2), two toothed spherical left arms (4L), two toothed spherical right arms (4R), and the stabilizing mechanism (3). The stabilizing mechanism (3) is made up of stabilizing segments (3.1) and (3.2). Stabilizing segments have limited degrees of freedom except the possibility of partial rotation around the axis of the stabilizing mechanism (3). Each stabilizing segment (3.1) or (3.2) is associated with one toothed spherical left arm (4L) and one toothed spherical right arm (4R) attached by means of bolts (6) and two groups of rolling elements (8) such that they can only rotate around the axes of the bolts (6). The input shaft (1) carries on its body two arms (1.1) and (1.2). The output shaft (2) carries on its body two arms (2.1) and (2.2). In arms of both shafts there are outer rolling paths created for groups of rolling elements (9), which perform the function of radial-axial bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: COMBLAX S.R.O.
    Inventor: Martin Gecík
  • Patent number: 9365264
    Abstract: A hinge having securing features includes a first hinge body portion including a first frame association end and a nesting cavity, the first frame association end and the nesting cavity being disposed at opposite ends of the first hinge body portion, a second hinge body portion defining a second frame association end and a nesting body configured for nesting in the nesting cavity of the first hinge body portion, the second frame association end and the nesting body being disposed at opposite ends of the second hinge body portion, wherein the first hinge body portion and the second hinge body portion are rotatably associated via a pivot point, and at least one securing feature configured for securing the nesting body within the nesting cavity in a manner that prevents rotation of the first body portion relative to the second body portion about the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: COMMERCIAL SEWING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Perosino, Joseph Hamilton, Timothy Hamilton, David Mazzarelli, Nicholas Cegelka, Michael Hissong, Brian DeLisle
  • Patent number: 9366276
    Abstract: A restraint system for securing a drilling rig to an off-shore platform. The system having uplift and lateral restraints. The uplift restraints including upper and lower jaws connected by a common pin component. The restraint system may include transverse jaws connected to the upper and lower jaws via the common pin. The number of various jaws can be varied depending upon loading in order to minimize pin size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Dale Oler
  • Patent number: 9360097
    Abstract: A multi-use drive plate for a torque converter that includes an annular shaped inner portion defining a openings for connection to a front cover of a torque converter and an outer portion with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a motive force, such as an engine. A plurality of test tabs disposed axially from the annular shaped inner portion and extending radially outward each define a receiver opening with ramp surfaces on the annular shaped inner portion that extend between each one of the plurality of test tabs. Each of the ends of the ramping surfaces terminate at the receiver opening displaced from a middle portion of the ramp surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: David Burky, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9359011
    Abstract: An attachment assembly is configured to couple a panel assembly to a support member. The attachment assembly includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member movably coupled to the first attachment member. As such, the second attachment member is configured to move relative to the first attachment member. The second attachment member defines a cavity portion. The attachment assembly further includes a locking member movably coupled to the first attachment member between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, the second attachment member is movable with respect to the first attachment member. In the locked position, the locking member is at least partially disposed in the cavity portion, thereby fixing the position of the second attachment member with respect to the first attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Hojjat Fathollahi
  • Patent number: 9359899
    Abstract: A drive shaft system (100) comprising a shaft (80) connected to a motor via a coupling (50) and arranged to transmit a rotary movement from the motor to the rotor, at least two supports (65,75) arranged to position the shaft within a shaft housing (90), each support comprising at least one bearing (95,98), and at least one forcing element (135,145) arranged to force at least one of the supports against either an inner side of the shaft housing or an outer side of the shaft (80); such as to prevent turning and radial movements of the supports within the shaft housing while enabling axial movement of the shaft within the shaft housing. The bearings may be forced at either their inner or outer rings, and may be enclosed in a bearing housing (120) for protection and stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: I.D.E. TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Henrikh Rojanskiy, Amnon Levy