Patents Examined by John D. Walters
  • Patent number: 11407302
    Abstract: A torque transfer assembly includes an engine starter, an electric machine, a torque converter, and a disconnect clutch further defined as a mechanical clutch. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine including an output shaft, and a transmission. The engine starter is adapted to be rotatably coupled to the output shaft for rotating the output shaft to start the internal combustion engine. The electric machine is adapted to be rotatably coupled to the transmission for delivering rotational torque to the transmission. The torque converter is rotatably coupled to the electric machine and adapted to be rotatably coupled to the transmission. The mechanical clutch is adapted to be rotatably coupled to the output shaft and the torque converter. The mechanical clutch is adapted to selectively rotatably couple the output shaft to the torque converter and is adapted to selectively rotatably decouple the output shaft from the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Calahan Campton
  • Patent number: 11383745
    Abstract: A trolley (10), primarily for use as a roll cage, includes a base (16) with wheels (18) and a frame (40) located above said base (16). Poles (28, 30, 32, 34) are used to join the frame to the base and a flexible member (14) such as a tarpaulin sheet with latching clamps or a ratchet strap, are used to create tension between the components, to ensure the integrity of the trolley and to reduce the generation of noise when the trolleys is moving in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew Turner
  • Patent number: 11383697
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle provided with an engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an output shaft of the engine, a motor coupled to a wheel, and an output clutch that transmits power from an output shaft of the CVT and the motor to the wheel includes a controller that is able to switch and execute either of an EV mode that allows, upon disengagement of the output clutch, power outputted from the motor to drive the wheel, and an HEV mode that allows, upon engagement of the output clutch, power outputted from the engine and the motor to drive the wheel, and that, in an adjustment of a gear ratio of the CVT during the EV mode, engages the output clutch and adjusts the gear ratio of the CVT, and thereafter disengages the output clutch before the gear ratio reaches a target gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Inoue, Tomoaki Sugiura, Akihiro Nabeshima, Takuya Machida
  • Patent number: 11383694
    Abstract: A driveline including a motor/generator configured to receive power from an engine and output power to at least one of a tractive element or an accessory, an energy storage system including a battery configured to be supported by a rear module of a vehicle, the energy storage system electrically coupled to the motor/generator to selectively receive electrical power from the motor/generator and provide electrical power to the motor/generator, wherein the driveline is operable in a silent mobility mode with the energy storage system providing power to the motor/generator to operate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11377132
    Abstract: A child stroller apparatus includes a standing frame, a handle frame pivotally coupled to the standing frame and having a first coupling part, a front guard having a second coupling part pivotally connected with the first coupling part, and a locking mechanism including a front guard latch. The handle frame is rotatable for folding and unfolding the child stroller apparatus. The front guard is positionable in a deployed configuration while the child stroller apparatus is in an unfolded state. The front guard latch is movable between a locking position where it is engaged with the first and second coupling parts so that the front guard is locked to the handle frame in the deployed configuration, and an unlocking position where the front guard latch is disengaged from one of the first and second coupling parts for rotation of the front guard relative to the handle frame and the standing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Haitao Wu
  • Patent number: 11376944
    Abstract: A reactor cooling device includes a housing, a reactor arranged in the housing, and a rotating body which is rotationally located below the reactor in the housing. The rotating body and the reactor are located so as to at least partially overlap with each other in a previously selected one of turning radius directions of the rotating body. A part of the rotating body is immersed in the coolant stored in the housing. The reactor cooling device is configured to cause a part of the coolant splashed by the rotation of the rotating body to be in contact with the reactor to thereby cool the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoko Kumata, Kenshiro Hida, Shintaro Kogure
  • Patent number: 11376942
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid module has two clutches located radially inward of an electric motor, and in their own respective fluid chamber. Fluid from one chamber can cool one of the clutches. Then the fluid can travel axially to the other chamber to cool the other clutch. The hybrid module can include a wall assembly between the two clutches, separating the fluid chambers. After the fluid cools both clutches, the fluid is directed to the wall assembly, and passes through two walls, radially outwardly, to spray onto the electric motor to cool the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich
  • Patent number: 11377131
    Abstract: A dolly (10) comprises a body (12) having an upwardly projecting first locating formation (20) for locating a further dolly thereon in a stacked condition of said dollies. The body (12) has a second locating formation (21) for stacking the dolly (10) on a further dolly in a stacked condition of said dollies. The first locating formation (20) is engageable with a second locating formation on the further dolly stacked on the first mentioned dolly, and the second locating formation (21) is engageable with a first locating formation of the further dolly on which the first mentioned dolly (10) is stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Baker
  • Patent number: 11376750
    Abstract: Presented are embodiments of a modular transport robot for transporting consignments. The transport robot includes at least one base element for the structure of the transport robot, at least two expansion modules for the technical equipping of the transport robot, at least one consignment box for receiving consignments, and at least one control device. The base element and each of the expansion modules have corresponding connecting elements and are electrically connected to one another by an electrical connection. The base element has at least one wiring harness for electrically connecting the connecting elements of the base element to one another, and the base element and the expansion modules are designed correspondingly to one another such that the connecting elements of the expansion modules are selectively connectable directly to at least two connecting elements provided at different points, so as to form one common connection to the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Uwe Radetzki, Boris Trendafilov, Dong Uck Kong, Sandra Drees, Heike Bischoff
  • Patent number: 11370468
    Abstract: The present invention is a modular stroller platform for carrying multiple small children. The invention enables secure mounting of three seats or carriers in a compact arrangement, giving each child sufficient space without making the stroller unnecessarily difficult to move. Because of its modular design, other accessories, including a wagon body, may be mounted in place of the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: David Young, Audrey Young
  • Patent number: 11364787
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train includes a first electric motor, a nested power splitting planetary gear set having a first carrier element and a second carrier element, an inner sun gear coupled with the first electric motor and an outer sun gear coupled with an output shaft. A first selectable one-way clutch controls the first and the second carrier element, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. A second selectable one-way clutch controls a ring gear of the nested planetary gear set, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. The extra outer planetary gear set improves towing capacity at higher speeds without substantially increasing the axial length of the power split device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Schneidewind, Nicholas Vernon, Geoffrey D. Gaither
  • Patent number: 11358620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport equipment with at least one transport device (1a) which is individualised by an identification mean, which has at least one goods depositing device and at least one handle and which can be stacked with respectively identical transport devices, wherein the transport equipment has at least two power-supplied electronic devices arranged on an identical and/or on different transport devices, of which at least one performs the function of a user interface and at least one performs the function of a detection device, and which each have integrated data-processing means and means for wireless data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 11358486
    Abstract: A multi-pack battery system having at least first and second battery packs each with positive and negative terminals, and each with upper and lower switches respectively connected to the positive and negative terminals. The battery packs have a first voltage level, and are connectable in either series or parallel. A controller controls an ON/OFF state of the switches in response to input signals to select between two series charging modes, three parallel charging modes, and one or more propulsion modes. Some embodiments have a series propulsion mode. An electric powertrain system includes first and second power inverter modules (“PIMs”), an electrical load, front and rear electric machines connected to a respective one of the first and second PIMs, and the battery system. The powertrain system may selectively provide all-wheel, front-wheel, or rear-wheel drive capabilities in each of the various propulsion modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, William T. Ivan, Brendan M. Conlon, Yue Fan
  • Patent number: 11351853
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical machine, a transmission, an output, a first separating clutch, and a generator. The internal combustion engine includes a drive shaft for transmitting a drive shaft torque and the electrical machine includes a rotor shaft for transmitting a rotor shaft torque. The transmission is for transmitting the drive shaft torque and the rotor shaft torque, the output is for receiving the drive shaft torque or the rotor shaft torque, and the first separating clutch is for connecting and disconnecting the drive shaft and the output. The generator is arranged in a first torque flow between the drive shaft and the transmission, and includes a generator shaft for converting the drive shaft torque or the rotor shaft torque into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 11352040
    Abstract: A cart for transporting an object includes a primary body for receiving the object. A plurality of wheels are rotatably coupled to the primary body for rolling the primary body over a surface. A handle is coupled to the primary body for grasping by the individual. A pivot is coupled between the primary body and the handle for positioning the handle between an operating position and a storage position. A secondary body defines a secondary aperture and a secondary chamber for receiving the object. The secondary body coupled to the handle. The primary body defines a primary support surface for supporting the lower torso of the individual. The secondary body defining a secondary support surface for supporting the upper torso of the individual. The storage position reduces the overall height of the primary body and the secondary body from the operating position for facilitating storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Jackson, IV
  • Patent number: 11345226
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including transferring kinetic energy from a kinetic energy source to a flywheel storage device system, transferring all or a portion of the kinetic energy stored to a continually variable transmission planetary gear system, integrating a multiple axis mechanism kinetic energy transference device to the continually variable transmission planetary gear system, integrating multiple speed governors in the multiple axis mechanism kinetic energy transference device, coupling a computer controlled module to each of the speed governors, processing operational data with the computer controlled modules to determine a measured most efficient use of the kinetic energy for each operation, transmitting the operation measured most efficient use amount of the kinetic energy from the computer controlled module to the corresponding speed governor, transferring the amount of the kinetic energy through gears and output shafts/drive shafts to serve operations and storing surplus kinetic energy n
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Karin M Somoza, Curtis Somoza, Allen Jones
  • Patent number: 11345381
    Abstract: A mobile extraction assembly includes a sled with a tow line secured to a front end of the sled. The mobile extraction assembly also includes a cart including a frame, a winch, and a pulley. The frame defines a track for receiving and supporting the sled. The winch is mounted to the frame underneath the track. The pulley is vertically disposed in line with or above the track, where the tow line is secured to the winch and routed around the pulley between the winch and the sled. This allows retraction of the tow line by the winch to draw the sled to the cart and onto the track of the cart in a direction towards the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Danny Ray Thrasher
  • Patent number: 11346073
    Abstract: A loader includes a support frame, having a handle disposed at a first end and a pair of wheels, connected by an axle, disposed at a second end, a ratchet column disposed between the pair of wheels along the axle, including a plurality of grooves, a bucket lift frame secured to the support frame at a first end of the bucket lift frame, a ratchet column pin, configured to releasably engage the plurality of grooves, secured to the bucket lift frame, a loading bucket pivotably secured to a second end of the bucket lift frame, a bucket dump lever pivotably secured to the bucket lift frame and a bucket control arm secured at a first end to the loading bucket and at a second end to the bucket dumper lever. The bucket dump lever is configured to move the loading bucket from a loading position to a dumping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: James Rodney Huffman
  • Patent number: 11338883
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter, includes at least one battery and motor for powering at least one driven wheel. The vehicle also includes a braking assembly configured to isolate the motor from the at least one driven wheel such that power is terminated from the motor to the at least one wheel in response to a user engaging a braking assembly of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a switch or position sensor that interacts with the braking assembly to initiate the isolation of the motor from the at least one driven wheel and the switch or position sensor preferably is inaccessible to the foot of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Razor USA LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hadley, Robert Chen
  • Patent number: 11338835
    Abstract: Compressible carts and methods for using the same are provided. The compressible carts include a rigid frame having a front wall, a rear wall, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, a bottom wall, a rotatable base panel, a rigid cover panel, a handle, and a plurality of wheel assemblies. The compressible carts may also include on each sidewall one or more fastening mechanisms, such as slideable members cooperatively engaging tracks or fastening connectors, and are movable between an open position to allow the sidewall to fold inwardly, to a closed position to selectively lock the panels of the sidewall. The plurality of wheel assemblies may include a plurality of rotatable swivel wheels mounted underneath the bottom wall, or a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to a plurality of spokes, where each spoke is coupled to a revolving spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Elden