Patents Examined by Jacob S Scott
  • Patent number: 12187072
    Abstract: A hub device is provided, including: a hub shell, defining an axial direction, including a room and a projection, the room having an opening open in the axial direction, an inner wall of the room being integrally connected with the projection, the room further including an annular toothed portion, the projection projecting radially within the room; and a ratchet ring, including an outer toothed portion and an engaging slot corresponding to the projection, the ratchet ring being disposing in the room, the outer toothed portion being engaged with the annular toothed portion so that the ratchet ring is rotatable with the hub shell, the engaging slot being disposed on the ratchet ring, the projection being engaged radially within the engaging slot and abutted radially against the hub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Inventor: Chung-Che Lee
  • Patent number: 12188550
    Abstract: A gear assembly having a rotatable housing with an axial end face and a lubrication in-flow opening and a gear set located therein. A lubricant collection ring having an axially extending outer wall is connected to the axial end face. A radially inwardly extending sidewall extends from the axially extending outer wall in a position spaced apart from the axial end face. A lubricant deflector ring is connected to the rotatable housing radially inwardly from the lubricant collection ring. The lubricant deflector ring has a plurality of radially outwardly directed vanes that overlap with the lubricant collection ring. The vanes are configured to fling lubricant against the radially outwardly located lubricant collection ring which directs the lubricant to the at least one lubrication in-flow opening to provide lubricant to the at least one lubricant in-flow opening in the rotatable housing in order to lubricate the gear set located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kenneth Hunt, David Battle
  • Patent number: 12191180
    Abstract: An overhead buffer double-entry detection system, which includes an overhead hoist transport, a first sensing unit for scanning and generating detection data of a horizontal range, a driving device for moving the first sensing unit in a vertical range, a controlling unit, and an overhead hoist transport controlling system for sending a detection instruction and a driving instruction to the controlling unit when the overhead hoist transport moves to a corresponding overhead buffer position, whereby the controlling unit bases on the driving instruction to control the driving device to move the first sensing unit in a vertical range, bases on the detection instruction to control the first sensing unit to scan and generate detection data of each horizontal range within the overhead buffer during movement process, and bases on the detection data of each horizontal range within the overhead buffer to judge whether there is obstacle in the overhead buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yuanzhang Qin
  • Patent number: 12191463
    Abstract: A spent and/or decommissioned accumulator treatment plant and process, wherein a plurality of objects originating from separate waste collection of spent and/or decommissioned accumulators, nominally comprising lead-acid accumulators and accumulators and objects of a different type, are subject to an X-ray scan. If an analysis of the X-ray scan indicates that an object is not a lead-acid accumulator, and in particular is a lithium-ion battery or accumulator, it is deviated out of the treatment workflow, that comprises grinding the objects and separating lead from other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: ENGITEC TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Diegoli
  • Patent number: 12179584
    Abstract: A mechanism for preventing power generation during towing of an electric vehicle. The mechanism includes: a rod-shaped coupling member receiver into which a rod-shaped coupling member to be used during the towing is configured to be inserted on a front portion or a rear portion of the electric vehicle, and to which the inserted rod-shaped coupling member is configured to be locked; and a switcher that is provided between the axle and the decelerator, and that is configured to bring the axle and the decelerator into a decoupled state in an inserting operation of inserting the rod-shaped coupling member into the rod-shaped coupling member receiver, and to bring the axle and the decelerator into a coupled state in a removing operation of removing the rod-shaped coupling member from the rod-shaped coupling member receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Horie, Daisuke Kidachi, Koki Ando, Kaoru Sugano, Gentaro Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 12179806
    Abstract: A method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes: a rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells, a central control unit configured to receive, transmit and process data signals of a plurality of container handling vehicles for handling storage containers of the automated storage and retrieval system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: AutoStore Technology AS
    Inventors: Jørgen Djuve Heggebø, Ole Alexander Mæhle, Synnøve Matre, Ingvar Fagerland, Ragnar Stuhaug
  • Patent number: 12173762
    Abstract: A powertrain of a vehicle can be operated. The powertrain can have at least one transmission housing, a clutch assembly which is arranged therein and which comprises a clutch that operates in a positively locking manner, and an actuation unit for actuating the clutch. The clutch comprises at least one first clutch component, which can be moved along an axial direction, and a second clutch component, said clutch components being connected together in a form-fitting manner upon actuating the clutch; wherein the actuation unit comprises an electromagnetic actuator with a piston, and the piston is moved from a starting position into an end position along the axial direction upon actuating the clutch, thereby moving the first clutch component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Thorsten Paul Maringer, Lutz Momsen, Zichao Zhou
  • Patent number: 12162363
    Abstract: One variation of a system includes a bogie including: a chassis; a first set of latches configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to retain the bogie below a floor of the trailer; a driven axle suspended from the chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle and configured to output torque to the driven axle and regeneratively brake the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly: including a second set of latches configured to transiently engage a second subset of engagement features, in the first array of engagement features and in the second array of engagement features, to retain the battery assembly adjacent the bogie; and configured to receive electrical energy from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Range Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Javidan, Kyle Foley, Bryan Booth, Ryan Flatland, Collin MacGregor, Bobby Ng, Arturo Bautista, Jason Chua
  • Patent number: 12162039
    Abstract: A product processing and packing system including a product classifier to determine a product classification of a product as a function of sensor data. The system also has a sorting conveyor to guide the product to a loading station or other product receiving area. The system also has at least one processor to control the sorting of the product into the desired loading station or product receiving area as a function of the product classification. The system may also have a packed box merge and take away system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Marble, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Randolph, Geethika Weliwitigoda, Fayez Albarbari, David McKenna
  • Patent number: 12157370
    Abstract: An embodiment hybrid powertrain for a vehicle includes a first input shaft configured to be interlocked with an engine, a second input shaft configured to be interlocked with a first motor and to be parallel to the first input shaft, a third input shaft configured to be interlocked with a second motor and to be parallel to the second input shaft, an output shaft mounted parallel to the third input shaft, a first selective mesh device configured to transmit power from the second input shaft to the output shaft at multiple different gear ratios, a second selective mesh device configured to transmit the power from the third input shaft to the output shaft at the multiple different gear ratios, and a third selective mesh device configured to transmit the power from the first input shaft to the second input shaft or the third input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Hyuk Joon Kwon, Ho Rim Yang, Buhm Joo Suh, Woul Sun Choi, Seung Wook Lee, Seok Joon Kim, Tal Chol Kim, Yeong Il Choi
  • Patent number: 12157251
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating mixed plastic waste are provided herein. The methods generally comprise separating the mixed plastic waste into a PET-enriched stream and one or more PET-depleted streams. The separating may be accomplished using the combinations of two or more density separation stages. Exemplary density separation stages include sink-float separators and centrifugal force separators. The PET-enriched and PET-depleted streams may be recovered and/or directed to downstream chemical recycling processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Kyle Lyn Collings, James Stewart Nelson
  • Patent number: 12151894
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: AutoStore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 12151895
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for passive throttling of bulk material on conveyor systems. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first conveyor having a first width, a second conveyor having a second width, the second conveyor disposed adjacent to the first conveyor, a third conveyor disposed adjacent to the second conveyor, a chute, and a fourth conveyor. Items falling from the second conveyor may be guided to the fourth conveyor via the chute. The first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the third conveyor may move in a first direction, and the fourth conveyor may move in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph McGrath
  • Patent number: 12152657
    Abstract: Compact transmission systems and vehicles with such transmission systems are provided. An exemplary compact transmission includes a drive shaft defining a drive axis and configured to be powered by a drive unit; a planetary gearset having a ring gear member, a planet gear member, a sun gear member, and a planet carrier having a carrier shaft defining a planetary axis, wherein the planetary axis is distanced from the drive axis; an output shaft defining an output axis, wherein the output axis is distanced from the planetary axis and from the drive axis; an output gear connected to the output shaft; a drive pinion gear configured to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the planetary gearset; and an output pinion gear configured to transfer torque from the planetary gearset to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W Mellet, Peter Beller, Mazharul Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 12152640
    Abstract: In the present invention, a cage ring that holds cams and rollers is configured such that an outer race-side portion of one axial end portion of the rollers is held in a state of protruding radially outward with respect to an outer peripheral surface of the cage ring, roller pocket parts are formed such that both end portions of the rollers are held in a state of respectively protruding axially outward with respect to axial end faces of the cams held by cam pocket parts, and a column part formed between adjacent pocket parts are formed such that an opposite axial end portion on the inner peripheral surface side thereof is located axially inward with respect to an opening edge position on an opposite axial end side of the roller pocket parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuma Ishihara, Hirokazu Tsuneda
  • Patent number: 12146533
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first shaft extending along and rotatable about a first shaft axis, and a second shaft extending along and rotatable about a second shaft axis that is parallel with the first shaft axis. The clutch assembly also includes a first friction component coupled to and rotatable with the first shaft, and a second friction component coupled to and rotatable with the second shaft. The clutch assembly additionally includes a band clutch assembly. The band clutch assembly includes a retaining band disposed about the first and second friction components, and a retaining component coupled to the retaining band. The retaining band is engageable with the first and second friction components, and the retaining band and the retaining component are rotatable with the first and second shafts during rotation of the first and second shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Siegel, Steven J. Kowal, David T. Vierk
  • Patent number: 12140209
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios and at least nine reverse speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and eight selective couplers. The eighth selective couplers may include three clutches and five brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Nayan Patel, Jorge F. Briceno
  • Patent number: 12139043
    Abstract: A braking control system includes a regenerative brake controller, a friction brake controller, and a master controller. The regenerative brake controller, in response to absence of expected communication between the master controller and regenerative brake controller, decreases regenerative braking. The master controller, in response to detecting the decrease in regenerative braking, commands the friction brake controller to increase friction braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Lars Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 12139351
    Abstract: A stack of products is moved using a robot. The robot has an articulated arm and grippers on the articulated arm to grip the stack of products. The stack of products is selectively turned in the depositing scheme. Two grippers are used in the method and, upon the deposit, the grippers are removed from the stack of products in the horizontal and in two directions perpendicular to one another. It is possible to move and selectively deposit stacks of product in a turned or unturned orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Herbert Ackermann, Udo Ganter, Martin Haupt-Terlau, Joachim Krumma, Gerhard Lubberger
  • Patent number: 12135076
    Abstract: An engine assembly is provided that includes a geartrain, a rotating structure and a support structure. The geartrain includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of intermediate gears and a carrier. The intermediate gears are arranged circumferentially about the axis in an array. Each of the intermediate gears are radially between and meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear. Each of the intermediate gears is rotatably mounted to the carrier. The carrier is rotatable about the axis. The rotating structure forms the carrier. The rotating structure includes a shaft and a rotating structure passage. The support structure circumscribes the shaft with a plenum formed by and radially between the support structure and the shaft. The support structure includes a support structure passage. The plenum fluidly couples the support structure passage to the rotating structure passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul R. Hanrahan, Robert G. Murphy, II