Patents Examined by Matthew P Travers
  • Patent number: 11446800
    Abstract: A method and tool system coaxially orients inner clutch plates with outer clutch plates on a tool. The tool includes a plurality of guide members circumferentially spaced apart, each guide member matingly engages a toothed portion of each inner clutch plate to position the inner clutch plates coaxially. A pre-build fixture includes a plurality of alignment pillars, at least one support block, and an alignment member. The alignment pillars are circumferentially spaced apart about a fixture axis. Each alignment pillar has a curved inner face that faces radially inward and has an arclength that is configured to coincide with and fit within a corresponding gap between radially outward facing teeth of each outer clutch plate. The support block supports the tool coaxially with the fixture. The alignment member engages the tool to inhibit rotation of the tool when the tool is supported coaxially with the fixture by the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Paul Wilson, Zachary James Kadykowski, Nabil Ajami, Zachary Alan Westhoff
  • Patent number: 11440362
    Abstract: A universal mounting clamps system and method for mounting a variety of accessories upon structures having various square, rectangular, or rounded profiles and various ratios and sizes, such as vehicle trailer hitches or bumpers, beams, posts, tubes, and pipes. In an angled-profile-structure embodiment using an angled mounting-clamp unit, an accessory-mount bracket is placed over a corner of the structure and provides area for mounting accessories. A clamping bracket is placed over the diagonally opposite corner of the structure and is fastened to the accessory-mount bracket using a fastener positioner. In a rounded-profile-structure embodiment, a curved mounting-clamp unit is fastened to the structure through a fastener slot, a positioner leg is held in position against the structure, and an accessory-mount leg is held extended from the structure and provides an area for mounting accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: John Wesley Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11441588
    Abstract: An equipment mounting system for mounting equipment to a support structure is described. An equipment mounting system including: (i) a mounting plate having defined therein a plate aperture of a particular shape; (ii) a bolt having a shaft portion including a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion that is of a complementary shape that complements the particular shape of the plate aperture; and (iii) a washer having defined therein a scored aperture that includes multiple radially extending scorings. In an assembled configuration of the mounting plate, the bolt and the washer, the plate aperture of the particular shape aligns with the scoring aperture such that both of the plate aperture and the scoring aperture receive the non-threaded portion of the complementary shape, and the particular shape of the mounting plate engages with the complementary shape of the bolt to prevent rotational displacement of the bolt around the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BRIGHT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Bradford, Jesse Macgregor Brown, Brian Michael Peterson, Barend Venter
  • Patent number: 11433491
    Abstract: A method for repairing a discharge ring of a hydraulic turbine with a turbine runner in place includes: mounting adjustable fixtures to runner blades that are approximately evenly spaced around the turbine runner, where each adjustable fixture is mounted to a different runner blade at a different predetermined vertical position with respect to a surface of the discharge ring; attaching cutting equipment configured to remove material from the discharge ring to each adjustable fixture installed on the runner blades; installing a drive unit configured to rotate the turbine runner; controlling the drive unit to rotate the runner at a specified speed; and controlling the cutting equipment attached to each adjustable fixture to concurrently remove material from the discharge ring as the turbine runner rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ANDRITZ HYDRO CORP.
    Inventors: Samuel Riley Kent, Mauricio Recalcatti, Nathan Steele, Joseph Matthew Travis, Bernard Cantin, William Hopper, Kenneth R. Sykes, Lorenzo Pelayo, Christopher Hayes, Hiram Lee Avant
  • Patent number: 11426828
    Abstract: A method for assembling a dual-head pulling rod involves attaching pulling heads to two ends of a rod body through threaded connection using a system that includes a foundation, on which a rod dispensing device, an inclined guiding plate, a conveying flap, a head dispensing device, a head mounting unit, a clamping device, an assembling device and a V-shaped output channel are provided. The inclined guiding plate is inclined and uses its ramp to guide a rod body falling thereon. The conveying flap is swingable between an input position and an output position. The conveying flap at the input position receives the rod body coining from the inclined guiding plate and outputs the rod body to the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: WENZHOU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Haishao Chen, Zhonggen Su, Shuxin Wang
  • Patent number: 11420279
    Abstract: A method for selectively adhering braze powders to a surface comprises applying a binder material to a surface, depositing a braze powder on the binder material, and then directing a laser beam onto the braze powder while the laser beam moves along a predetermined path relative to the surface. The laser beam selectively heats the braze powder and the binder material along the predetermined path such that the binder material is removed and the braze powder is sintered and bonded to the surface. Thus, a braze deposit is formed at one or more predetermined locations on the surface. After forming the braze deposit, excess braze powder and binder material, that is, the braze powder and binder material not selectively heated by the laser, are removed from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Gold, Greg Lopshire, Carl Russo
  • Patent number: 11421658
    Abstract: A handling device for a transmission includes a first pillar, a second pillar, a first receptacle for the transmission and a second receptacle for the transmission, and a first rail and a second rail. The first receptacle is fixed in the first pillar so as to be rotatable and translationally displaceable. The second receptacle is fixed in the second pillar so as to be rotatable and translationally displaceable in parallel to the first receptacle. The first pillar is fixed in the first rail so as to be translationally displaceable. The second pillar is translationally displaceable in the second rail in parallel to the first pillar. The axes of rotation of the receptacles are aligned or oriented such that they can be brought into alignment by displacing the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the first pillar and/or the second pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Adil Ben Haddou, Steffen Fischer, Kristiaan Van Rompaey
  • Patent number: 11420299
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic bolt fastening device which includes a main body frame, a lower arm installed in the main body frame to be rotatable in a rightward-leftward direction, a gripper installed in a tip portion of the lower arm to pick up the bolt from a bolt feeder, an upper arm installed in the main body frame on an upper side of the lower arm to be rotatable in the rightward-leftward direction, and a bolt fastener installed in a tip portion of the upper arm to be movable upward and downward, and fastening the bolt to the workpiece located on the assembly line after being moved to the assembly line by the upper arm in a state where the bolt fastener vacuum-suctions the bolt picked up by the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: J-rem Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Seok Choi, Kwang Geun Choi
  • Patent number: 11407024
    Abstract: A portable tool comprising a hollow body delimiting two chambers and comprising a shoulder and a barrel extending from the shoulder. A piston slides in the chambers and a stem is secured to the piston and is accommodated in the barrel. A C-shaped head with a first end forms a shoe which presses against the shoulder and in which is created a bore into which the barrel fits, and with a second end facing the free end of the stem. A fastening system comprises a channel on the barrel perimeter. Two sliders are slidably mounted on the shoe parallel to a plane of movement which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Each slider has an arc shaped face and movable between a retracted position in which the face is accommodated in the channel and an extended position in which the face is outside the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Yann-Erick Lemonnier
  • Patent number: 11402157
    Abstract: An evaporator suitable for a thermal dissipation module. The thermal dissipation module includes a tube or pipe and fluid. The evaporator includes a housing, a first heat dissipation structure and a second heat dissipation structure disposed in a sealed chamber of the housing. The chamber is configured to communicate with the pipe, and the fluid is configured to flow in the pipe and the chamber. The first heat dissipation structure and a second heat dissipation structure provide a plurality of fluid flow passages through which the fluid flows and evaporates. A manufacturing method of the evaporator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Wang, Cheng-Wen Hsieh, Wen-Neng Liao, Jau-Han Ke
  • Patent number: 11401898
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a waterproof felt duct may include (a) laminating a waterproof film on one side of a first nonwoven fabric and laminating a second nonwoven fabric on the waterproof film laminated on the first nonwoven fabric to form a laminated body; (b) forming a waterproof felt base material by thermally adhering the laminated body; (c) cutting the waterproof felt base material into a desired shape; (d) molding a duct while surrounding the waterproof felt base material cut into the desired shape around the external surface of a molding jig having a worm gear shape; (e) heat-treating the molded duct; (f) cooling the heat-treated duct; and (g) ejecting the cooled duct from the molding jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, HOAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-Seop Choi, Sung-Hyuk Yoon, Ju-Ho Han, Jun-Haeng Cho
  • Patent number: 11396037
    Abstract: A method for joining heat transfer plates, comprising: applying a melting depressant composition on individual application areas of a first metal sheet, each application area comprising a mid-section and two end-sections; pressing ridges and grooves in the metal sheet, the ridges extending in a direction that extends between the end-sections of the application areas, such that the application areas are located on top of the ridges; bringing the metal sheet into contact with a second, pressed metal sheet, such that contact points are formed where the mid-sections of the application areas re located; heating the sheets until melted metal is formed at the application areas where the melting depressant composition is applied; and allowing the melted metal to solidify such that a joint is obtained at the contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Per Sjödin, Kristian Walter
  • Patent number: 11396066
    Abstract: A wall-mounted, metal, poster hanger, manufactured from aluminum, steel, iron and nylon or similar, using CNC tooling, injection molding, and extrusion of 25-30 parts that configures the poster hanger. The poster hanger is constructed primarily of a wall mounted plate and a pivoting arm with extension capabilities connected by a hinge and pivot pin with washers, configured with three stationary hooks and one hook on the extension arm. A nylon, ABS, or similar, snap hook is designed to lock the pivoting arm in place. Pre hole-punched, various sized, plastic sheet protectors, and or transparent dividers, hang from grommeted holes in sleeves and or sheet protectors onto the four rings and or hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Lindsey Brandy Lopez
  • Patent number: 11396038
    Abstract: A fastening tool includes a housing, a handle, an anvil, a pin-gripping part, a motor, and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to move the pin-gripping part along a first axis defining a front-rear direction, relative to the anvil. The driving mechanism includes a rotary member, a movable member, a driving gear and an idler gear. The rotary member has a driven gear formed on its outer periphery and is rotatable around the first axis. The movable member is connected to the pin-gripping part and configured to be linearly moved in the front-rear direction by rotation of the rotary member. The driving gear is configured to be rotated around a second axis extending in parallel to the first axis below the first axis. The idler gear is engaged with the driving gear and the driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihito Yabunaka, Hiroki Ikuta, Takao Kuroyanagi, Koichi Yakabe
  • Patent number: 11396040
    Abstract: A fastening device for feeding fasteners to a workpiece and for joining it, the fastening device comprising a fastening tool, a fastening device system. The fastening device including a magazine arrangement mounted on the fastening tool. The magazine arrangement having a magazine for holding a fastener, a magazine plate, and a base plate. The magazine plate includes a plate body and a closure arrangement with a closure slider adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, and a toggle mechanism adapted to move the closure slider from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Tripp, Stefan Lippert
  • Patent number: 11384739
    Abstract: An automated wind turbine servicing system that includes a rover, and uses an active electro-mechanical gripping roller system to attach to a horizontally positioned airfoil and navigate along it in order to clean, inspect, service, or otherwise maintain the wind turbine airfoil. An electromechanical compression system adapts to various turbine airfoil profiles. Once secured to the airfoil, the rover activates a drive system that propels the rover along the airfoil as it travels along an upper edge, using wind pressure, the rover wheels' frictional adherence to the airfoil, and gravity to assist in coupling the rover to the airfoil. The rover, which preferably includes a robotic arm, is able to utilize multiple tools to perform various tasks such as inspecting, cleaning, sanding, repairing, painting and laying leading edge protection tape as well as vortex generators on the surface of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Ranbir Sahni, Mahdi Yoozbashizadeh, Aaron Wahlstrom, Travaughn Montgomery, Berok Khoshnevis
  • Patent number: 11383334
    Abstract: Provided is a tightening device capable of capturing a change in a contact state of a member to be tightened, such as a bolt or the like, and also performing fastening. The tightening device tightens a bolt to a work piece in a state where a main body is engaged with the bolt, and includes: a magnet that holds the bolt with respect to the main body; and at least one lower cam member that enables fixation in a fixed state where a binding force on the bolt is larger than a holding force of holding the bolt by the magnet. The at least one lower cam member is capable of maintaining the fixed state before a tightening work of tightening the bolt to the work piece is performed and releasing the fixed state after the tightening work is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Arimitsu, Tomohisa Katayama, Hironari Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11376652
    Abstract: A system and method for feeding and fixing snap connectors of a ripple fold curtain system, in which a drum mixes loose snap connectors, successively introduced individually in an opening in the drum for letting one of the snap connectors out. The orientation of the one of the snap connectors is forced by having the opening have a height smaller than the width of the snap connectors. After travelling while maintaining their orientation aligned with motion, each snap connector is received in the same orientation at a receptacle comprising shoulders for retaining a larger portion of the one of the snap connectors, the receptacle retaining it at a definite location and maintaining the orientation. A rivet is positioned on that larger portion of the snap connector and snapped using a hammer of which the surface is parallel with the snap connector and underlying receptacle bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Patrice Chevalier
  • Patent number: 11375779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gemstone arrangement, that comprises a first gemstone element, a second gemstone element, which is connected to the first gemstone element, and at least one decorative element, which is arranged between the first gemstone element and the second gemstone element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the gemstone arrangement. A further aspect of the invention relates to a jewel with a gemstone arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: REALIZATION DESAL AG
    Inventor: Michael Bonke
  • Patent number: 11369138
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor is provided, the aerosol-generating device including: a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, an inner wall of the heating chamber including a coating, the coating including a binder material and metal particles embedded in the binder material or the coating includes a metal alloy, and the coating being configured to be heat-reflective and dirt-repellent. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable vapor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Pieter Van Lancker, Louis-Philippe Vancraeynest, Simon Desnerck