Patents Examined by Melanie Torres Williams
  • Patent number: 11661046
    Abstract: A pedal feel emulator comprises a housing extending along a center axis between a closed end and an opened end and defining a chamber extending therebetween. A first piston is slidably disposed in the chamber. The first piston defines a compartment in fluid communication with the chamber. A second piston is slidably disposed in the compartment. A spring seat extends radially outwardly from the second piston. A first elastic member is located in the chamber extending between the spring seat and the closed end. A second elastic member is located in the compartment and extending between the spring seat and the first piston. A third elastic member is located between the second piston and the first piston. A brake system including the pedal feel emulator is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BWI (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Steven Glenn Hoxie, Dongqiang Luo
  • Patent number: 11655020
    Abstract: An aircraft, damper assembly for an aircraft and method for reducing a vibration in a rotating shaft. The damper assembly includes a damper element, a first plate and a second plate. The damper element has a damper opening shaped to surround the shaft. The first plate has a first opening shaped to surround the shaft and a recess receptive to the damper element, the damper element being rotatable within the recess. The second plate has a second opening shaped to surround the shaft and secured to the first plate to close the recess and secure the damper element between the first plate and second plate. The damper element rotates within the closed recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Emmett Emile Menair
  • Patent number: 11655872
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing or vibration-absorbing assembly includes a metal base and an elastic shock-absorbing or vibration-absorbing material secured to the metal base. A top surface of the metal base has at least one orifice extending from the top surface to at least one hollow chamber beneath the top surface. The hollow chamber occupies a planar area of the metal base parallel to the top surface that is larger than a planar area of the metal base that is occupied by the orifice at the top surface. The elastic material is secured to the metal base by the elastic material filling the orifice and the hollow chamber of the metal base and the elastic material filling a region above the top surface of the metal base that has a cross-sectional area parallel to the top surface of the metal base that is larger than the planar area of the metal base that is occupied by the orifice at the top surface of the metal base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BUFFERS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Elseser
  • Patent number: 11648922
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a manually-operated, height-adjustable wheeled vehicle according to a first aspect includes a brake cable assembly. The brake assembly includes a brake cable housing shaped to enclose an excess portion of the brake cable assembly. The brake assembly includes a cable adjuster coupled to the brake cable assembly. The cable adjuster is enclosed by the brake cable housing. There is additionally provided a wheel fork assembly for a manually-operated, height-adjustable wheeled vehicle according to a first aspect. The vehicle includes a frame member. The wheel fork assembly includes a mount shaped to couple with a lower end of the frame member of the vehicle. The mount has a longitudinal axis. The wheel fork assembly includes a wheel fork having a longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the mount. The wheel fork is integrally coupled to and formed with the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 11649867
    Abstract: A brake pad state estimation device estimates a brake pad state including at least one of a wear volume and a temperature of a brake pad of a vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device acquires sensor detection information including a vehicle speed and a brake pressure, and calculates the brake pad state based on the sensor detection information during braking of the vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device variably sets a sampling period for acquiring the sensor detection information from a sensor according to a driving environment for the vehicle. The sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be lower is set to be longer than the sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriyoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 11644078
    Abstract: A shock isolation cushion has two basal components and at least one shock isolation tier. The two basal components are disposed at an interval. The at least one shock isolation tier is disposed between the two basal components and is sequentially stacked from one of the two basal components to the other one of the two basal components. Wherein each of the at least one shock isolation tier has multiple shock isolation units. Each of the multiple shock isolation units has a supporting section and at least two buffering sections. The at least two buffering sections respectively extend from two opposite ends of the supporting section. Each of the at least two buffering sections is curved to form an opening between the buffering section and the supporting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Qing-Rui Lin, Su-Chen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11643055
    Abstract: A rapid deceleration mechanism for a vehicle is provided herein. The rapid deceleration mechanism includes a cutting mechanism configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle, e.g., via a tether. An actuating mechanism is configured to selectively actuate (e.g., release or propel) the cutting mechanism towards a road surface on which the vehicle is driving to cause the cutting mechanism to cut a channel in the road surface. The channel defines a bollard area in the road surface. At least a portion of the cutting mechanism is disposed at least partially within the channel, against the bollard area, to anchor the body of the vehicle relative to the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Andrew Vidano, Daniel Jason Ratner
  • Patent number: 11624418
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a single layer including a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a first bowling pin structure interlocked with a second bowling pin structure arranged in an opposite orientation to the first bowling pin structure. The first bowling pin structure has a first sidewall, a first wide end, and an opposing first narrow or equal size end. Likewise, the second bowling pin structure has a second sidewall, a second wide end. Each of the bowling pin structures has a center axis along a longitudinal axis of the single layer structure. The first and second sidewalls are configured to have a 3D “S” shape along the longitudinal or vertical axis such that each of the first wide end and the second wide end has a convex shape and each of the first narrow or equal size end and the second narrow or equal size end has a concave shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Jean Phillipe Giacomini
  • Patent number: 11624419
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a magnetic suspension type quasi-zero stiffness electromagnetic vibration isolator with active negative stiffness. The disclosure relates to the technical field of vibration control. The disclosure can selectively realize passive negative stiffness and active negative stiffness by adjusting the control mode of a controller. By adopting an amplifying mechanism and DIESOLE type electromagnets, the bearing capacity of the vibration isolator is further increased, and the disclosure is suitable for the field of ultra-low frequency heavy load vibration reduction and isolation. The displacement state of a negative stiffness mechanism can be measured in real time according to a sensor, and by means of cooperation of the controller and a driver, active negative stiffness is realized, real-time linear negative stiffness is realized, the multi-stable phenomenon is avoided, and complex dynamic phenomena such as jumping during working of the vibration isolator are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: HARBIN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Guoyong Jin, Junjie Yuan, Tiangui Ye, Zhigang Liu
  • Patent number: 11623772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic metamaterial for reducing vibrations of a flexible structure such as a main cable of a tether system for controlling an orbit of a satellite revolving around a planet, and a method for improving a vibration reduction performance thereof, and more particularly, to an elastic metamaterial having an improved precision, in which a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a pendulum ring may be adjusted to maintain a frequency characteristic other than a band gap generated due to the elastic metamaterial even in a state where a mass of the pendulum ring is not changed, and a band gap (R_ring) generated due to the pendulum ring of the elastic metamaterial and a band gap (R_beam) generated due to the elastic beams may be combined into one band gap to expand a vibration damping range, and a method for improving a vibration reduction performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: No-Cheol Park, Joo Young Yoon
  • Patent number: 11624413
    Abstract: Aspects of the technology relate to a braking assembly for a lateral propulsion system of a high altitude platform (HAP) configured to operate in the stratosphere. Power is supplied to a propeller assembly as needed during lateral propulsion so that the HAP can move to a desired location or remain on station. When lateral propulsion is not needed, power is no longer supplied to the propeller assembly and it may slowly cease rotating. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to cause the propeller assembly to stop rotating as soon as possible. This can include an unplanned descent. Rapid braking can avoid the propeller blades from entangling in the envelope, parachute or other parts of the HAP. A reusable brake is employed to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the propeller on descent, or otherwise to prevent the propeller from spinning freely when not being used to propel the HAP laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Aerostar International, LLC
    Inventors: David Solum, Matthew Torres, Christopher Bowles, Carey Hijmans, Jonathan Nutzmann, Kyle Brookes
  • Patent number: 11613283
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a running gear with a mount for a brake linkage on a bogie, wherein the mount has a long service life and requires little maintenance. The transmission of shocks and vibrations between the brake linkage and the bogie is reduced, and the bogie and the brake linkage are electrically insulated from each other. A running gear for a rail vehicle including a bogie and a brake linkage is proposed, having at least one bearing element. The brake linkage is mounted on the bogie and/or is connected to the bogie by means of the at least one bearing element, and the at least one bearing element has a plastic and/or consists of a plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT WITTEN GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Montua
  • Patent number: 11608038
    Abstract: A variable air hole covering flap device is provided and selectively opens or closes an air hole formed in a wheel deflector or a wheel cover to allow air to be introduced toward a brake. The air hole is opened only when brake cooling of a vehicle is more necessary than aerodynamic performance of the vehicle to properly control the aerodynamic performance and the brake cooling performance of the vehicle as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae-Hyung Kim, Sang-Hyun Park, Jung-Ho Kim, Jin-Woo Kim, Sung-Wook Woo, Jung-Joong Lee, Hak-Lim Kim
  • Patent number: 11608866
    Abstract: A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TSE Brakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Cate, Kok Gaither-Ho
  • Patent number: 11603085
    Abstract: An electric booster for a vehicle includes a housing having a cylinder structure capable of supporting a hydraulic pressure formed therein; a screw bolt installed in the housing; a screw nut screwed to the screw bolt; a gear unit configured to transfer a rotational force of a motor to the screw nut; a rotation preventing unit coupled with the screw bolt, and configured to prevent rotation of the screw bolt by being brought into contact with the housing; and a piston moved by being pressed by the screw bolt, and configured to form a hydraulic pressure in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Hyun Yun
  • Patent number: 11597467
    Abstract: To provide a parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle actuated in response to a reverse rotation on a throttle grip which is set in a simplified structure. A parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle includes a parking brake caliper configured to restrict a rotation of a rear wheel while the motorcycle is parked; a steering handle configured to steer a front wheel; and a throttle grip mounted on the steering handle and configured to control output of a power unit. The control unit actuates the parking brake caliper by a motor when at least the throttle grip is reversely rotated and the vehicle speed is zero. The throttle grip being reversely rotated is detected according to information from a throttle position sensor which is interlocked with the throttle grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Haraguchi, Koshi Nakamura, Hayato Yamashiro, Akihito Kawamura, Takuya Otsuka, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 11598390
    Abstract: A flywheel configured to couple to a manual transmission to an unrelated vehicle engine. Also disclosed is a method for retrofitting a manual transmission with an unrelated vehicle engine. Also provided is a flywheel comprising a removable friction region and/or a removable gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Joshua L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 11598383
    Abstract: A braking system includes a frame, an actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to the actuator and the frame, an arm coupled to the rotating joint, a brake pad having a connector, the connector pivotably coupled to the arm, and a torsion spring positioned at the connector to bias the brake pad relative to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DUPLICENT, LLC
    Inventor: Curren Krasnoff
  • Patent number: 11592077
    Abstract: A vibration damping device including a vibration-damping device main unit attached to a bracket from a lateral side by a second attachment member being fitted to opposed walls provided on widthwise opposite sides of the bracket. The bracket includes flexible latches extending from the respective opposed walls forward in a direction of attachment. The second attachment member includes outer recesses respectively opening onto surfaces overlapped with the respective opposed walls. Each latch has a slope portion sloping inward in a width direction of the bracket such that a distal end face of the latch is inserted in the corresponding outer recess. The distal end face of the latch is latched by a forward wall inner face of the outer recess, and displacement of the second attachment member relative to the bracket in a direction of dislodgment opposite to the direction of attachment is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Tanaka, Ryuichi Ando, Kenji Oki, Yusuke Arai, Keisuke Kawabe
  • Patent number: 11592074
    Abstract: A shock absorber including a damper and a valve assembly for throttling fluid flow between a compression damper chamber and a pneumatic spring, with a valve assembly extending from an inner end portion of the damper into the compression damper chamber along a longitudinal central axis of the damper. A piston assembly is provided that includes an inner space which is open to the compression damper chamber and configured to receive and sealingly engage a distal portion of the valve assembly at an inner operational range of stroke and to disengage the valve assembly upon movement outside the inner operational range of stroke. The sealing engagement between the distal portion of the valve assembly and the inner space divides the compression damper chamber into an inner volume within the inner space and an outer volume in front of the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Öhlins Racing AB
    Inventor: Torkel Sintorn