Patents Examined by S. Joseph Morano
  • Patent number: 11932287
    Abstract: A control device for a railway vehicle includes a housing and a cover covering an opening. The housing is provided with a pair of first members. The cover is provided with a second member having a plate shape. The contact of an edge of a hole portion of the second member with the vertically lower bottoms of edges of notch portions of the pair of first members causes the second member to be supported by the first members so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis. The contact of edges of the hole portion with the pair of first members restricts displacement of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsuki Watai
  • Patent number: 11932370
    Abstract: A system for steering marine propulsion devices. Steering actuators are configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators. The control system is configured to receive a steering request for steering a first device among the marine propulsion devices, compare a steering angle of the first device to a steering angle of a second device among the marine propulsion devices, and control the steering actuators to steer the first device only when the steering angle of the first device is within a threshold range of the steering angle of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Jason S. Arbuckle, Thomas S. Kirchhoff, Robert R. Osthelder
  • Patent number: 11932368
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system for a combustion engine of a marine vessel. The exhaust system includes an exhaust system inlet configured to be coupled to an exhaust gas outlet of the marine engine, one or more exhaust system outlets, and an exhaust gas flow path extending from the inlet to the one or more exhaust system outlets and having a forward flow direction from the exhaust system inlet and a reverse flow direction extending from at least one of the one or more exhaust system outlets. The exhaust system further includes a flow redirection arrangement in the exhaust gas flow path for restricting a flow of liquid flowing in the reverse flow direction, the flow redirection arrangement comprising at least one flow redirection feature configured to redirect a first stream of the liquid toward the forward flow direction to collide with a second stream of the flow of liquid. The invention also relates to motor assemblies and marine vessels having such exhaust systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: COX POWERTRAIN LIMITED
    Inventor: James Eatwell
  • Patent number: 11932053
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel is defined by a substrate including a face and a rim portion. The face defines a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between a central portion of the face and the rim portion and defining a mating portion. An applique is affixed to the wheel at the mating portion. A polymer over-coating that is substantially transparent extends over the applique and the wheel substrate defining a continuous polymer surface over the applique and the wheel substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Watts, Henry Clay Chenault, III
  • Patent number: 11932049
    Abstract: Assembly of a rim and of a flexible adapter, intended to make up, with a tyre, a rolling assembly. The rim having a mounting well that is extended axially by a boss, a rim seat and a rim flange that extends the rim seat axially on the outside, with a bearing face of substantially radial orientation. The adapter having an axially inner end intended to rest on the rim seat, an axially outer end and a substantially cylindrical body that connects the axially inner end and the axially outer end and is intended to receive, in cooperation with the axially outer end, a tyre bead. The rim seat of the rim has an inclination relative to the axis of rotation of between ?2 and +6 degrees, the angle being counted as positive when the virtual vertex of the substantially frustoconical seat is situated axially on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MAXION WHEELS HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Walser, Johan Vits, Bertrand Vedy
  • Patent number: 11926400
    Abstract: A bottom touching assisting device suitable for deep-sea submersibles and an implementation method thereof are provided. Four support columns are arranged within a mounting box body at a bottom of a deep-sea submersible, the support columns and the mounting box body are connected in a sliding manner through sliders, and the support column is sleeved with a threaded sleeve in a threaded connection manner. In conjunction with a drive component and a pressing mechanism, smooth vertical movement of the support column is achieved when the threaded sleeve rotates. This allows a bottom end of the support column to extend from the mounting box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology
    Inventors: Xilin Zhang, Nengyou Wu, Qingsheng Liu, Hong Cao, Ang Li, Zhilei Sun, Cuiling Xu, Ye Chen, Sinan Xu, Jianjun Miao
  • Patent number: 11919331
    Abstract: A turf wheel having a wheel rim having an inner and outer surface, and an annular tread portion; a plurality of projections extending radially outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim, wherein each projection provides a stem, a ground contacting pad, and a ground engaging lug; and a hub. A wheel cleaning system having a frame provided by a wheeled apparatus; at least one turf wheel mounted to the frame; a turf wheel scraper assembly, the turf wheel scraper assembly providing a turf wheel scraper and an attachment mechanism, where the attachment mechanism is adapted to be mounted to the frame, and couples the turf wheel scraper to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Ryan Cmich
  • Patent number: 11919333
    Abstract: A hub is provided for a human-powered vehicle, and includes a hub axle, a rotating body, a bearing, an inner retainer and an outer retainer. The rotating body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle. The bearing rotatably coupling the rotating body to the hub axle. The bearing includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements. The inner race has an axially facing portion abutting an inner abutment of the hub axle. The outer race has an axially facing portion abutting an outer abutment of the rotating body. The roller elements are disposed between the inner race and the outer race. The inner retainer is coupled to the hub axle and abuts an axially facing portion of the inner race. The outer retainer is coupled to the rotating body and abuts an axially facing portion of the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11919585
    Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce S. Johnson, Dennis A. Bowman, Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Daniel J. Garvin, Randall K. Bill, Jeremy P. L'Heureux
  • Patent number: 11912355
    Abstract: An endless track vehicle with increased traction and/or installation, modification, and/or use of track cleats for traction for the endless track of the endless track vehicle. A body is mountable to the endless track exterior. The body defines bores extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, wherein the bores have counterbores. First and second cleats/bolts respectively having a cleat/bolt heads, the cleats/bolts mounted in respective bores and optional extending out a distance out of the second end of the body, wherein the cleat/bolt heads seat in the respective counterbores. Nuts may be used in the counterbores to optionally extend the cleats/bolts, and/or to secure and fasten the cleats/bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Berube
  • Patent number: 11912385
    Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates search and rescue, for example, in open water. The apparatus comprises a substrate with a particular geometry and a perimeter. The apparatus further comprises a cover positioned atop the substrate with the cover also having a particular geometry and perimeter, which correspond to the geometry and perimeter of the substrate. An air-tight seal seals the substrate perimeter to the cover perimeter and creates a sealed internal region. A breakable vessel holding an activator is located in the sealed internal region, along with illuminable dyes that are also located in the sealed internal region. When the breakable vessel is broken, the activator reacts with the illuminable dyes and illuminates the illuminable dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Battle Sight Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Ripplinger, Christopher J. Vogt
  • Patent number: 11912078
    Abstract: The innovation presented herein provides among its embodiments, a non-pneumatic structure such as a vehicle tire, consisting of a matrix of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements. The interlocking layering pattern provides geometries which leverage the SMA material properties to accomplish performance characteristics of traditional pneumatic structures across a spectrum of possible desired uses including normal personal use, recreational use, sport use and commercial use. Embodiments include applying structural design and material properties to provide a fixed or a variable set of performance characteristics. Similar to the fruits of other space program initiatives, the innovation leverages material science developed for extra-terrestrial purposes to accomplish advances over conventional items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: United States Government Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Colin M. Creager, Santo A. Padula, II, Calvin Young
  • Patent number: 11912115
    Abstract: A convertible wheel is described that is interchangeably used with at least two different car plate designs and tracks. In particular, there is provided a wheel for use with a bearing and a car plate in a tarpaulin system. The wheel comprises a cylindrical body with a groove, first face, an opposed second face, and a central cavity positioned therebetween for receiving the bearing therein. The first face has a first opening with a first diameter, and the second face has a second opening with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Either the first face or the second face can be positioned facing the car plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PETELKA INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Brian W. Petelka
  • Patent number: 11912354
    Abstract: Track pad includes a first link member that extends upwardly from the shoe member including a first lug member extending from the first link member in a first direction, as well as a second lug member and a third lug member both extending from the first link member in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The track pad also defines a first side cavity that extends from the first lateral end toward the second lateral end, jogging from the front end toward the rear end along the track chain traveling direction, and downwardly toward the ground engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Isaac Jones
  • Patent number: 11904559
    Abstract: A shaped preform component (200A) for a spoke portion (108A) of a composite wheel (100), the shaped preform (200A) comprising: an elongate body (215) configured to be located in a spoke (108) of a composite wheel (100), wherein the shaped preform component (200A) is formed from a cured composite fibre material having a compressibility of <2% volumetric under moulding conditions of 50 bar hydrostatic pressure and a temperature of 60 to 150° C., and wherein the density of the cured composite fibre material is selected to form a counterbalance mass for a mass addition (300) to the composite wheel (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Carbon Revolution Limited
    Inventors: Ashley James Denmead, Michael Dunbar Silcock, Timothy Corbett, Nicholas Taylor, Steven Agius, Barry Trippit
  • Patent number: 11897557
    Abstract: A work machine includes a drive wheel, a drivable track engaged with the drive wheel, a deformable spacer coupled to the drive wheel, and a secondary weight coupled to the deformable spacer. The deformable spacer facilitates oscillation of the secondary weight relative to the drive wheel to limit vibrations of the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Edgington, Christian P. Hellman
  • Patent number: 11897281
    Abstract: A wheel includes a boss, a rim, and a web. The rim includes a tread and a flange. The web connects the boss and the rim. When the wheel is viewed in its longitudinal section, the web has a linear plate-thickness center line that is inclined such that the plate-thickness center line approaches the flange side as it extends outward in a radial direction. When the wheel is viewed in its longitudinal section, an outer end of the plate-thickness center line is positioned between the flange and a center of the tread in an axial direction of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Kato, Yoshinari Yamamura, Shingo Abe, Jun Noguchi, Ruben De La Prida Caballero
  • Patent number: 11897345
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-phase power supply and collection device for a maglev train. A cross beam is arranged at the middle part of the bogie of the maglev train, and the lower surface of the cross beam is provided with three sets of longitudinal bearing seats, and three insulating bushes, three collector shoes and three power supply rails corresponding to the longitudinal bearing seats; the two ends of the horizontal part of each insulating bush is a rotating shaft structure, and the vertical part of the insulating bush is a hollow tubular structure; the upper part of each collector shoe is the shoe handle, the lower part is the shoe body, and the bottom of the shoe body is in a concave semicircular shape; the top surface of each power supply rail is in a convex semicircular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qunzhan Li, Jiqin Wu
  • Patent number: 11890894
    Abstract: The railway wheel according to the present embodiment has a chemical composition consisting of: in mass %, C: 0.80 to 1.15%, Si: 0.45% or less, Mn: 0.10 to 0.85%, P: 0.050% or less, S: 0.030% or less, Al: 0.200 to 1.500%, N: 0.0200% or less, Nb: 0.005 to 0.050%, Cr: 0 to 0.25%, and V: 0 to 0.12%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, wherein at least in the microstructure of the rim part and the web part, the amount of pro-eutectoid cementite defined by Formula (1) is 2.00 pieces/100 ?m or less: Amount of pro-eutectoid cementite(pieces/100 ?m)=a total sum of the number of pieces of pro-eutectoid cementite which intersect with two diagonal lines in a square visual field of 200 ?m×200 ?m/(5.66×100 ?m)×100??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taketo Maejima, Manabu Kubota
  • Patent number: 11892833
    Abstract: An agricultural amphibious bait feeding boat includes a boat body. A bait feeding device is fixed to one end of the boat body, and a propulsion device is fixed to the other end of the boat body. The boat body includes two foam floating bodies, foam fixing carbon rods, a transverse carbon rod, tube ferrule fixing assemblies, and tee joints. The two foam floating bodies include a left foam floating body and a right foam floating body, the foam fixing carbon rods parallel to each other are respectively arranged above the two foam floating bodies, and the foam floating bodies and the foam fixing carbon rods are fixed through the tube ferrule fixing assemblies. The transverse carbon rod is connected to the foam fixing carbon rods through the tee joints, and the left foam floating body and the right foam floating body are fixedly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yue Shen, Lingfei Zhang, Zhixiang Shi, Minghui Liu, Jincheng Chu, Yayun Shen