Patents Examined by Randell J Krug
  • Patent number: 11832997
    Abstract: Provided is a stable mounting for a robotic arm, a tool changer for a robotic arm, a motion restrictor for a robotic-arm controlled steerable tool, a dispenser unit for applying a sterile drape over a robotic arm, and a tool radial actuation assembly (TRAA), a robotic arm fitting radial actuation assembly (FRAA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Steerable Instruments NV
    Inventors: Frank Dewaele, Lieven Maene, Bart Blanckaert, Cyriel Mabilde, Alain Kalmar
  • Patent number: 11820010
    Abstract: A geared parallel manipulator of the SCARA type is provided that consists of a pair of motors, each driving in a controlled manner a pinion. The two pinions mesh each with a rack, said two racks being joined together via a revolute, or via a flexure hinge. The proposed parallel manipulator is simple in design and can be fabricated inexpensively of stamped sheet metal or of extruded parts. It can also be fabricated as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) using thin film technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
    Inventor: Petru Aurelian Simionescu
  • Patent number: 11820012
    Abstract: A joint module is provided which includes a housing, a driving assembly, a speed reduction assembly, a first fastener, a second fastener and a third fastener. The driving assembly includes an output shaft, a lower bearing seat and a lower bearing, an inner ring and an outer ring of the lower bearing are respectively connected with the output shaft and the lower bearing seat. The first fastener fixes the lower bearing seat on the housing, and the second fastener fixes the speed reduction assembly on the housing. The third fastener fixes the input shaft of the speed reduction assembly to the output shaft. The output shaft of the driving assembly and the input shaft of the speed reduction assembly are separate structural members, which not only allows the driving assembly and the speed reduction assembly to be tested separately before assembly, but also facilitates the later maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN YUEJIANG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhongbin Wang, Yu Jiang, Yingbo Lei, Weizhi Ye, Lun Wang, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 11820002
    Abstract: A flange device using a voice coil motor and a contact control method thereof are disclosed. In the flange device, a force sensor, displacement sensor and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) are used to sense contact data, the contact data is filtered, and the filer contact data is calculated based on an attitude & heading reference systems (AHRS) algorithm, to obtain a force control command to control a displacement direction and a displacement distance of the flange device, so that the flange device is able to adjust a contact status between a polishing device and a to-be-polished object by using the voice coil motor, thereby achieving the technical effect of providing an electromagnetic contact-state adjustment device with quiet and precise control and fast response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIPEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hsien-I Lin, Yu-Han Chen
  • Patent number: 11821507
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method of a speed reducer. The speed reducer includes an outer tube, a shaft portion, an input shaft, a first bearing, a speed reducing portion, and an attachment member. The shaft portion has a first receiving surface and a shaft end surface. The outer tube has a second receiving surface. The first bearing has a first inner ring and a first outer ring. The first receiving surface contacts the first inner ring. The second receiving surface contacts the first outer ring. A first machining accuracy is obtained based on a first parallelism between the first receiving surface and the shaft end surface. A second machining accuracy is obtained based on a second parallelism between the second receiving surface and the flange mounting surface. The manufacturing method includes performing machining such that the first machining accuracy becomes higher than the second machining accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nakamura, Shinji Inoue
  • Patent number: 11813966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear drive (1), comprising a camshaft (10) having at least one camshaft disk (15) which is arranged in a longitudinal axis (X), at least one rack (30) comprising at least one tooth (31), and at least one propulsion element (20) having at least one propulsion tooth (21), wherein the at least one propulsion element (20) has a recess (25) with which the camshaft (10) engages, wherein the camshaft (10) is coupled to the at least one propulsion element (20) by means of the at least one camshaft disk (15), and wherein the propulsion element (20) can be pushed into and out of the rack (30) in order to generate a propulsion in the longitudinal axis (X) when the camshaft (10) rotates. In addition, the present invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment unit for a seat and to a motor vehicle having at least one longitudinal adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: IMS GEAR SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Marcel Mittelbach, Robin Teichmann
  • Patent number: 11815931
    Abstract: A joystick device is provided. The joystick device includes a housing, a joystick assembly, a reset assembly, a translation assembly, and a circuit board. A magnetic component is located on the translation assembly, and a magnetic induction element is located on the circuit board. The joystick assembly pushes the translation assembly to translate, and the magnetic induction element generate an output that changes with the movement of the translation assembly. A handle using the joystick device also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG K-SILVER INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao Zeng, Jianbo Zhao
  • Patent number: 11806866
    Abstract: A system and related methods for operating a robotic system with a routing mechanism is disclosed herein. The routing mechanism may surround external components that extend across a link and connect to an end effector. The routing mechanism may include guides, brackets, or a combination thereof configured to maintain the external components along a predetermined path relative to the link, the end effector, one or more corresponding joints, or a combination thereof during movement of the link and/or the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventors: Hironori Mizoguchi, Masashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11801922
    Abstract: A gyroscopic stabiliser for stabilising motion of an object includes a support for attaching to the object, a gimbal rotatably supported by the support to be rotatable around a first axis, a flywheel rotatably supported by the gimbal to be rotatable around a second axis relative to the gimbal, orthogonal to the first axis, and a rotary damper. The rotary damper has a chamber containing a damping fluid a vane that is rotatable within the chamber and that is coupled to the gimbal and a flow passage allowing flow of the damping fluid from the chamber on one side of the vane to the chamber on the other side of the vane when the vane is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: KINETROL LIMITED
    Inventors: John Nash, George Nash
  • Patent number: 11794802
    Abstract: An adjustment actuator assembly for a vehicle steering system includes a leadscrew having a threaded outer surface and at least one pocket recessed radially inwardly from an outer diameter of the threaded outer surface. The adjustment actuator assembly also includes a nut having a threaded inner surface engaged with the threaded outer surface of the leadscrew, the nut axially moveable along the leadscrew during rotation of the leadscrew. The adjustment actuator assembly further includes a travel stop limiter operatively coupled to the nut, the travel stop limiter having a leg extending through an opening of the nut and spring biased into contact with the threaded outer surface of the leadscrew and moveable into the pocket of the leadscrew to limit axial translation of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11793500
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a cannula to a robotic surgical system, the apparatus comprising: a clamp assembly configured to attach a cannula to a robotic surgical system, the clamp assembly comprising an actuator coupled to a clamp to transition the clamp between an open position configured to receive the cannula and a closed position to attach the cannula to the robotic surgical system; and a lock out assembly coupled to the clamp assembly to control the transition of the clamp, the lock out assembly having a hook that is dimensioned to engage a bearing coupled to the actuator when the clamp is in the open position and disengage the bearing to allow the clamp to automatically transition to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Vargas
  • Patent number: 11788490
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear actuator lock apparatus having a housing having an inner surface defining an axial cavity having a first housing portion where the axial cavity has a first lateral size, a second housing portion having a second, larger lateral size, and a face from the first housing portion to the second housing portion, a lock assembly having a lock carrier configured for movement within the cavity between a first position and a position, and a lock finger affixed to and extending away from the lock carrier, where the second finger end is configured to contact the face when extended and fit within the first housing portion when retracted, and a sleeve configured to move between a position in which the lock finger is permitted to extend and a position configured to contact and retract the lock finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11780082
    Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, and a pass through region formed between the electrode region and the expandable fluid region. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair having a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode including a central opening coaxial with the pass through region and the expandable fluid region, and a dielectric fluid is disposed in the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Rowe
  • Patent number: 11781633
    Abstract: A rack bar includes: a rack tooth row including a plurality of rack teeth meshing with pinion teeth; a hardened layer provided continuously over an entire circumference of the rack tooth row; and a center portion provided inside the hardened layer and having lower hardness than the hardened layer. When the rack bar is viewed in an axial direction of the rack bar, a depth of the hardened layer from the following positions i), ii), and iii) increases in this order: i) a bottom land of the rack teeth; ii) a side of the rack bar relative to the bottom land; and iii) a back of the rack bar relative to the bottom land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Izumi, Hirofumi Ishimi, Isao Torii
  • Patent number: 11772258
    Abstract: The disclosed systems for automated building construction may include upright supports, a support platform coupled to and vertically movable relative to the upright supports, and a bridge platform coupled to and horizontally movable along the support platform. A track may be mounted on the bridge platform, and a robotic arm may be coupled to and movable along the track. The robotic arm may be configured to retrieve structural insulated panels and to position the structural insulated panels to construct at least a portion of a building. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Lee Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lee
  • Patent number: 11772283
    Abstract: A method for operating a robotic joint of a robotic system comprising selectively operating a clutch mechanism of a clutched joint module in an engaged state to cause a quasi-passive elastic actuator to enter an elastic state, the clutched joint module operating about and defining a joint of the robotic system. The method comprising effecting a first rotation of the joint to cause the quasi-passive elastic actuator to store energy during at least a portion of the rotation of the joint. The method comprising effecting a second rotation of the joint and causing the stored energy from the quasi-passive elastic actuator to be released in the form of an augmented torque applied to an output member of the clutched joint module. The method comprising selectively operating the clutch mechanism in a disengaged state to cause the quasi-passive elastic actuator to enter an inelastic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Sarcos Corp.
    Inventors: Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier
  • Patent number: 11759945
    Abstract: A dual-output-shaft servo includes a housing including two first sensors and two actuating mechanisms. Each actuating mechanism includes a motor assembly, a speed reduction mechanism opposite the motor assembly, and a transmission mechanism arranged between the motor assembly and the speed reduction mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism includes an output component, and a connection shaft is fixed to the output component. A first sensor counterpart is attached to an end of the connection shaft which faces the motor assembly. The transmission mechanism is to transmit mechanical power from the motor assembly to the speed reduction mechanism. The axes of rotation of the output components of the speed reduction mechanisms are skew or intersected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Hongyu Ding, Yisen Hu, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 11759948
    Abstract: A robot includes a robot arm including a proximal-end-side arm and a first distal-end-side arm that is turnable with respect to the proximal-end-side arm and coupled further on a distal end side than the proximal-end-side arm. The proximal-end-side arm includes a first motor configured to drive the first distal-end-side arm, a first speed reducer configured to reduce rotating speed of the first motor and output a rotational force, a first pulley configured to transmit, to the first distal-end-side arm, the rotational force output from the first speed reducer, and a first belt configured to transmit, from the first speed reducer to the first pulley, the rotational force output from the first speed reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keitaro Hashizume
  • Patent number: 11751963
    Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes an adaptor, a parallel manipulator, a shaft motor, a transmission shaft and a force transducer. The force transducer is disposed between the adaptor and an end platform of the parallel manipulator, and the force transducer has a through hole. The receiving shaft of the adaptor meets the transmission shaft in the through hole to receive the mechanical force from the transmission shaft to manipulate movement of the surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: POINT ROBOTICS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Lin, Xiu-Yun Xiao, Ming-Chun Ho
  • Patent number: 11754164
    Abstract: A gearwheel pair for a gear unit, comprising a first gear and a second gear, which can be meshed with one another, wherein the first gear consists entirely or partially of metal or plastic and the second spur gear comprises an outer part having a gear rim made of a first plastic and having a number of injection-molded portions, an inlay part made of metal, and a connecting part, which is arranged between the inlay part and the outer part and is made of a second plastic for the interlocked and/or materially-bonded connection of the inlay part and the outer part and further relates to the second spur gear per se, a gear unit having such a gearwheel pair, and a method for producing a second gear, which is used for such a gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: IMS Gear SE & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Matthias Koop, Stephan Oberle, Egor Melinkov, Eugen Stoppel, Sebastian Birk