Patents Examined by Michael R. Mansen
  • Patent number: 11884520
    Abstract: A tower crane for assembling a wind turbine includes a boom assembly including a boom and a hoisting block coupled to the boom, an extendable tower assembly including a plurality of tower sections, and a transport assembly including a central support frame coupled to the tower assembly, a self-propelled transporter configured to transport the tower crane, and a diagonal brace extending between the central support frame and the transporter, wherein the diagonal brace includes a linear actuator configured to selectably extend and retract the diagonal brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony Jason Harms, Travis Miller, Robert Benjamin Donnally
  • Patent number: 11884524
    Abstract: A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a winch includes a bearing housing, a one way bearing having an outer ring attached to the bearing housing, a bearing hub having a cylindrical section attached to an inner ring of the one way bearing, a friction disk having a first surface adjacent a disc of the bearing hub, a crank spool having a first disk adjacent a second surface of the friction disk, a crank housing configured for rotatably retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft extending through the bearing hub, through the friction disk, and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is coupled to the crank spool, and a crank mechanism coupled to a second end of the crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FeraDyne Outdoors, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Blosser
  • Patent number: 11885298
    Abstract: An offshore wind turbine installation vessel includes a crane provided with a computerized crane control system. The computerized crane control system is linked to the slew drive, the luffing drive, and the hoisting winch of the crane, and is programmed to perform a foundation pile installation routine providing a coordinated pattern of slew motion of the superstructure and of luffing motion of the boom structure, as well as operation of the hoisting winch so that the load connector of the crane moves from a foundation pile pick up position thereof, where the load connector is connected to the top end of a horizontally oriented foundation pile stored on a storage deck, to a foundation pile overhoarding position thereof, wherein the foundation pile is in vertical suspended from the load connector, outside of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer
  • Patent number: 11884519
    Abstract: Provided is a crane including a boom. The crane hoists a suspended load through a hook from a tip of the boom, and position adjustment control for causing a position of the hook and a position of the tip of the boom to be close to each other as viewed in a vertical direction is performed until the suspended load is separated from a ground surface from a start of a hoisting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION CRANES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Satou
  • Patent number: 11879539
    Abstract: An insert for supplying a fluid to splines of a drive shaft, the insert comprising an insert wall extending between a first end and a second end of the insert, a chamber surrounding the insert wall for storing a fluid, a piston having a surface configured to be exposed to the fluid, the piston configured to move between a first position and a second position within the chamber, and the piston biased toward the first position, and wherein an increase in supply of the fluid in the chamber causes the piston to move toward the second position and a decrease in supply of the fluid in the chamber causes the piston to move toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: AERO GEARBOX INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Nathan Lewis
  • Patent number: 11879520
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a friction transmission belt that includes a core cable. The core cable includes a cord comprising: a core yarn containing high elastic-modulus fibers; and a plurality of sheath yarns that are disposed around the core yarn and that contain low elastic-modulus fibers. The cord is twisted and the proportion of the average diameter of the sheath yarn to the average diameter of the core yarn is 0.2 to 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Tamura, Takeshi Tsuji, Takuya Tomoda
  • Patent number: 11879522
    Abstract: A slide rail for damping a first side of a belt device of a belt drive includes an outer slide surface, an inner slide surface, an axial web, and a support-receiving element. The inner slide surface is oriented parallel to, and away from, the outer slide surface, and includes a rear side. The axial web has an axial extension disposed on the rear side. The support-receiving element is designed to orient the outer slide surface and the inner slide surface to damp the first side. In an example embodiment, the slide rail includes a transverse rib connecting the inner slide surface to the axial web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nicolas Schehrer
  • Patent number: 11878896
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electric winder and a method for controlling the same. The electric winder includes a winder body, a socket and a controller. When a plug is inserted into the contact assembly through the insertion hole, the strain sensor is configured to detect a deformation of the contact assembly caused by the plug, and send the deformation to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the deformation sent from the strain sensor. When the deformation is greater than a deformation threshold, the controller controls the drive mechanism to be in a stop state to prevent the reel from winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTRADIN (HUZHOU) PRECISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuetao Qiao, Gaofeng Wang, Jisheng Ning
  • Patent number: 11879590
    Abstract: A lubricating system has a pump to force a viscous lubricant from a supply of lubricant to a lubricator at which the lubricant is to be dispensed onto a cable, wire, or the like that is being pulled through a conduit. A sensor, associated with a spool from which the cable is being dispensed, is be used to automatically control the amount of lubricant that is to be dispensed onto the cable. A second described system comprises a custom bucket or bucket insert which allow a cable to pass through the bucket whereupon lubricant will be automatically applied to the cable and the container includes a profiled base to ensure proper passage of the cable through the lubricant and ensure the maximum usage of any lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Juday, Doug Sanford, Nathan Buckert, Alan Zantout
  • Patent number: 11873191
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device includes at least one drive member configured to engage and climb along a vertical structure, a motor module including at least one motor configured to cause movement of the drive member and corresponding movement of an elevator cab, and a power supply including at least one energy source that is configured to provide power to the motor. The power supply is situated adjacent the motor module such that a mass of the at least one energy source provides a noise barrier to reduce transmission of noise from the motor into the elevator cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: George Scott Copeland
  • Patent number: 11873197
    Abstract: This invention relates to a large crane with an at least two-part main boom, wherein a lower and an upper part of the main boom are pivotally coupled to each other an articulation point. The invention furthermore is directed to a method for erecting or depositing a corresponding large crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK EHINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Uwe Frommelt
  • Patent number: 11873945
    Abstract: System, apparatus, and method for delivering grease to process valve(s). The system generally includes a grease cylinder to which grease is delivered, a piston, an actuator, and a first process valve. The piston extends at least partially within the grease cylinder. The actuator strokes the piston within the grease cylinder to meter a first amount of the delivered grease to the first process valve. The actuator comprises a power cylinder within which the piston extends. The piston comprises a head portion slidably disposed in the power cylinder and dividing the power cylinder into first and second chambers. The head portion has a first cross-sectional area. The piston includes another portion contacting the grease in the grease cylinder and having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The actuator may also meter a second amount of the delivered grease to a second process valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11866309
    Abstract: A double-reeved lifting device includes a lower reeve block secured to a lifting hook and an upper reeve block, wherein the two reeve blocks include reversible connection means adapted to be reversibly configured between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration. The reversible connection means include a locking mechanism and a complementary locking structure respectively having at least one striker orifice and a bolt slidably movable and supporting a locking finger adapted to rotatably cooperate with the striker orifice, and respective guide elements cooperating together so as to convert a relative approach and a relative distancing between the two reeve blocks into concomitants slidings and rotations of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
    Inventors: Jonathan Chalavon, Adrien Gourru
  • Patent number: 11866298
    Abstract: An elevator counterweight assembly (11) includes a counterweight structure (38), at least one safety brake (12a, 12b) mounted on the counterweight structure (38), and a safety actuation mechanism (16) including a connection (17) for a suspension member (18). The safety actuation mechanism (16) is configured to move, relative to the counterweight structure (38), between a normal position, and a safety position. In the safety position the safety actuation mechanism (16) is arranged to actuate the at least one safety brake (12a, 12b) and thereby brake the counterweight structure (38). The counterweight assembly (11) also includes a mechanical actuator (22), configured, when actuated, to apply a force to the safety actuation mechanism (16) and thereby move the safety actuation mechanism (16) from the normal position to the safety position, e.g. for the purposes of a handover test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Aurelien Fauconnet, Franck Rivoiret
  • Patent number: 11867258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a V-ribbed belt that includes carbon-fiber twisted cords as core wires, the V-ribbed belt having a tensile elasticity of 240-500 N/(mm·%), and the core wire diameter of the core wires being 0.6-1.2 mm. The V-ribbed belt may have a tensile strength of 620 N/mm or more per 1 mm width of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Tamura, Takeshi Nishiyama, Manabu Mitsutomi, Hiroshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11866307
    Abstract: A boom, of a machine, may include a first member; a second member opposite the first member; and a support structure. The support structure may comprise a first support member; a second support member; and a third support member. The first member, the first support member, and the second support member may define a first opening. The second member, the second support member, and the third support member may define a second opening. A first area of the first opening may exceed a second area of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron M. Brames
  • Patent number: 11864632
    Abstract: A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang
  • Patent number: 11866308
    Abstract: A self-erecting crane includes a mast supporting a foldable jib having jib elements articulated together, configurable between a transport configuration and a work configuration. The crane also includes a motor-driven folding/unfolding system for performing configuration change operations implementing kinematics of folding and unfolding the jib, and a control/command system connected to the motor-driven folding/unfolding system to drive it. One or several inclinometer(s) are mounted on one or several jib element(s) to measure actual inclinations of the jib element(s) with respect to a reference axis. The control/command system is configured to drive the motor-driven folding/unfolding system according to the actual inclinations of the jib element(s) during the kinematics of folding and unfolding the jib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
    Inventors: Nicolas Larmonier, François Lemire
  • Patent number: 11867357
    Abstract: A deaeration system for an engine lubrication system, the deaeration system comprising: a deaeration rotor rotatable about an axis and including: a rotor inlet extending circumferentially around the axis, a first and a second rotor outlet, a first rotor passage in fluid communication between the rotor inlet and the first rotor outlet, and a second rotor passage in fluid communication between the rotor inlet and the second rotor outlet in parallel to the first rotor passage; and a deaeration conduit including: a conduit inlet, a splitter downstream of the conduit inlet relative to a flow of lubricant through the deaeration conduit, a first conduit outlet and a second conduit outlet downstream of the splitter, the first conduit outlet in fluid communication with the rotor inlet, the conduit inlet having a curved portion extending away from the splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Ivan Sidorovich Paradiso
  • Patent number: 11864543
    Abstract: A fishing reel and related method include a housing, a spool, and a brake assembly. The housing includes an external circumferential surface and an internal circumferential surface. The spool is configured to have a length of fishing line wound thereon, and is rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation shaft. The brake assembly is mounted to and rotatable with the spool. The brake assembly includes a plurality of pivotally mounted pawls. The plurality of pawls each include a contact surface arranged facing the internal circumferential surface. Rotation of the fishing reel upon the fishing line being pulled out of the fishing reel when a fish pulls on the fishing line causes a centrifugal force that moves the contact surface of the plurality of pawls into contact with the internal circumferential surface to reduce a rotational speed of the spool relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Cary Hogan Jones, George Stickler