Patents Examined by T. Scott Fix
  • Patent number: 12343869
    Abstract: A system for machining a workpiece. The system includes a rotatable frame mounted to a base and arms which can translate relative to the rotatable frame. The arms are attached directly or indirectly to a machining tool which can be moved to various points around the workpiece and include tools for various machining operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Bashar El Khasawneh, Abdur Rosyid Patrum, Cesare Stefanini
  • Patent number: 12343862
    Abstract: A multidimensional joint is provided and includes a body and a drive assembly. The body includes a first motor and a second motor. The drive assembly includes a planetary carrier rotatably coupled to the body, a first drive gear driveably coupled to the first motor, a second drive gear driveably coupled to the second motor, at least one driven gear and at least one output end. The first and the second drive gears are rotatably mounted on the planetary carrier about a first axis, and the at least one driven gear is rotatably mounted on the planetary carrier about a second axis in a different direction from the first axis. The first and the second drive gears are engaged with the at least one driven gear respectively. The at least one driven gear is coupled to the at least one output end configured to output torque to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Ran An, Juncai Peng, Tingke Song, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 12337468
    Abstract: A joint function unit, in which a movable part is supported by a base part so as to be displaceable in an axial direction thereof, includes: a plurality of drive wires each having a fixed part fixed to the movable part on one side in the axial direction and a supported part supported by the base part on the other side in the axial direction; and an elastic body supporting the supported part of each of the plurality of drive wires on the base part, energizing the supported part with respect to the fixed part in the axial direction, and applying tension to the drive wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Hirata, Yuki Hotoda, Masahiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 12338671
    Abstract: A power door actuation system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a housing mounted to the door and an actuator mounted within the housing that includes an electric motor configured to output a motor force. The actuator also includes a geartrain with a geartrain input coupled to an output of the electric motor for receiving the motor force and a geartrain output for applying an output force to the door. An extendible member is configured for extension and retraction in response to actuation by the geartrain output for moving the door. The system determines the output force to compensate for external forces affecting the motion of the door, adjusts the output force determined to an adjusted output force to compensate for internal forces affecting the operation of the actuator, and controls the electric motor to move the door at the adjusted output force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC
    Inventors: John G. Zeabari, Martin Dannemann, Roman Paerschke, Sebastian Prengel
  • Patent number: 12329403
    Abstract: Provided herein is a mechanism to controllably move a wire within a flexible tubular member, the wire including opposed wire ends extending outwardly of a proximal end of the flexible tubular member, comprising a drive mechanism and a coupling located between the drive mechanism and the wire end, wherein movement of the coupling in the direction of the wire end results in opposed motion of the wire end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, Endoquest Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Dong Suk Shin, Taeho Jang, Yongman Park, Jeihan Lee, Hongmin Kim, Kihoon Nam, Seokyung Han
  • Patent number: 12325127
    Abstract: Multi-segment manipulator arms are provided that exhibit improved performance in space applications, include reduced weight, reduced cost, reduced size, reduced rotational inertia, reduced vibration, improved heat dissipation characteristics, and increased reliability and on-station reparability. These manipulator arms transmit torque from a single motor at the base of the arm to each of the inter-segment joints via serial belts, rotationally linked via pulleys that are coaxial with the inter-segment joints. Brake(s) at each joint allow all but a selected joint to be fixed, allowing motor torque to be transmitted to the un-fixed joint, applying torque and/or rotation to the un-fixed joint. Placing the motor at the base facilitates heat management, reduces overall weight, and reduces total rotational inertia and weight of the arm segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Thomas P. Low, Brian Foster, Brian K. McCoy
  • Patent number: 12318924
    Abstract: A segment for a robotic arm with a shaft having a first end and a second end; a first joint housing having a first recess and a second recess and a second joint housing having a first cavity and a second cavity, the first recess is engageable with the first cavity to form a first socket and the second recess is engageable with the second cavity to form a second socket, and the first socket is engageable with the first end of a shaft to facilitate movement along a longitudinal (roll) axis, and the second socket is engageable with a second end of the shaft to facilitate movement along a lateral (pitch) axis; a robotic arm having at least one of the segment described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Inventor: Haoxu Wang
  • Patent number: 12313118
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism may include a guiding rail, and a slider movably disposed on the guiding rail, wherein the slider may be provided with a rolling part, the rolling part may roll with respect to the guiding rail, and limit the slider in a first direction and a second direction of the guiding rail, and the first direction and the second direction may both be perpendicular to a length direction of the guiding rail, and an angle between the first direction and the second direction may be greater than 0° and less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Zhang, Xu Cai
  • Patent number: 12311999
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment drive (5, 6) for a motor-adjustable steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a gearbox (8, 9) having a drive module (82, 92) in which a drive wheel (922) which is able to be driven in a rotating manner about a drive axis (A) and which operatively engages with a gearbox wheel (912) that is mounted in a gearbox module (81, 91) so as to be rotatable about a gearbox axis (G) and is connected to a threaded spindle (52) or a spindle nut (61) of a spindle drive is mounted, wherein the drive module (82, 92) and the gearbox module (81, 91) are connected to one another by way of at least one joining connection (93).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht
  • Patent number: 12311537
    Abstract: According to implementations of the subject matter described herein, there is provided a robot. The robot includes a motor mounted on a frame; a driving member having a shaft portion mounted to the motor and an output portion configured to engage a downstream driving member; a seal ring coupled to the frame and having an inner annular portion; and a collar secured to the shaft portion and having an outside peripheral surface in contact with the inner annular portion of the seal ring. A robot having a more reliable seal for protecting the motor can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Xiaodong Cao, Kaiwei Chen, Jiajie Sha
  • Patent number: 12290920
    Abstract: An arm module includes a housing with a first connection side controllably rotatable relative to a second connection side, about an axis of rotation. The first connection side has a rotatable first connection device. The second connection side has a second connection device fixed to the housing, with a rotation-compatible data transmission device for transmitting data signals along at least one transmission path between the first and second connection sides. The transmission path includes at least one wireless transmission sub-path for wireless transmission of data signals, and at least one wire-guided transmission sub-path for wire-guided transmission of data signals. The rotation-compatible data transmission device includes at least one first wireless transmission unit and at least one second wireless transmission unit, interconnected via the transmission path and arranged to wirelessly transmit and receive data signals along the wireless transmission sub-path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Beckhoff Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kastler, Clemens Maier, Christoph Zech, Thomas Morscher, Armin Pehlivan, Michael Jäger, Peter Fischer, Thomas Rettig, Thorsten Bunte, Christopher Pohl
  • Patent number: 12290925
    Abstract: Provided is a parallel mechanism consisting of: a first module including a first plate having a first hollow formed therein; a second module disposed to be spaced apart from the first module, and including a second plate having a second hollow formed therein; and a power transmission unit provided in a space between the first and second modules, and including a third plate connecting the first and second modules in parallel, wherein the first and second modules form a symmetrical structure on the basis of the power transmission unit, a first range of motion in the first module is amplified, by means of the symmetrical structure, to a second range of motion that is wider than the first range of motion in the second module, a working space is formed in a space communicating with the first and second hollows, and the third plate is provided outside the working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignees: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY ERICA CAMPUS, KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDTION, SEJONG CAMPUS
    Inventors: Byung Ju Yi, Hyun Hwan Jeong
  • Patent number: 12281701
    Abstract: A transmission includes a speed change gearbox including gears configured to be switched by a movement of a shifter having a cam pin in a guide groove and configured to be moved by a movement of the cam pin following the rotation of a shift drum. The guide groove includes a bent section having an inner wall on an inner side that is formed by (i) first end mill machining performed in a direction in which the guide groove extends; and (ii) second end mill machining performed in the direction in which the guide groove extends, in such a manner as to increase a curvature radius of the inner wall on the inner side formed by the first end mill machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Jun Yoshida, Yusuke Morita, Akihiro Takami
  • Patent number: 12281690
    Abstract: To provide an extension/contraction mechanism that can lessen increase stress imposed on belts. An extension/contraction mechanism according to the present disclosure includes a telescopic extension/contraction part, in which the extension/contraction mechanism includes a first drive source connected to a screw shaft in such a way that it can transmit a drive force, a first belt holder that accommodates a second belt in such a way that the second belt can be sent out to the screw shaft or the second belt can be wound-up from the screw shaft, a second belt holder that accommodates a first belt in such a way that the first belt can be wound-up from the screw shaft, and a first belt holder drive part and a second belt holder drive part. The first and second belt holder drive parts rotate the first and second belt holders independently of the rotation of the screw shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Hada
  • Patent number: 12275139
    Abstract: A wrist device includes a first element coupled to an arm to be rotatable about a fifth axis, and a second element coupled to the first element to be rotatable about a sixth axis. There is a fifth motor to rotationally drive the first element, and a sixth motor to rotationally drive the second element. A fifth transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of the fifth motor to the first element and a sixth transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of the sixth motor to the second element. The sixth transmission mechanism includes a first gear rotatably supported by the arm and a second gear rotatably supported by the first element and to mesh with the first gear, and reduces a rotation speed of a driving force in a component group including the first driving gear and components after the first driving gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibata, Hitoshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 12270461
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear-to-rotary apparatus that includes a linear actuator having an actuator housing including a piston chamber, a piston shaft disposed in the piston chamber, and a rotor apparatus. The rotor apparatus includes a rotary joint defining a rotational axis, a rotor arm extending radially from the rotary joint and configured to at least partially pivot about the rotary joint, and a torque linkage pivotably connected to the rotor arm. The torque linkage is also attached to an end of the piston shaft of the piston at a pivot connection joint, where the pivot connection joint defines a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the translation axis of the piston shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig D. Mawle, Mark A. Spickard, Barry T. Brinks
  • Patent number: 12264737
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic shift range switching device (10) which is configured to control a shift range of a vehicle, the device comprising: a housing unit (100); a shifting knob unit (200) exposed at one end thereof to the outside of the housing unit (100) and disposed at the other end thereof within the hosing unit (100) in such a manner as to be rotatable with respect to the housing unit (100); and a locking correction integrated unit (300) configured to control whether or not to interrupt the rotation of the shifting knob unit (200) and to return a position of the shifting knob unit (200) to a P shift range in a self-correction manner under a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: LS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Lee, Hyun Seong Cho, Jin Han Park
  • Patent number: 12263588
    Abstract: A section of a continuum arm robot including a pair of pivot points at a first and second end of the joint, the section further having a first and second connecting rod connected to the section and joining at the centre of the section, the connecting rods has a plurality of gear teeth at the peripheral ends of the connecting rod that intermesh at a central point on the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Liam D Harrison, Andrew D Norton
  • Patent number: 12251832
    Abstract: A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Andrew D Norton, Xin Dong, Dragos A Axinte
  • Patent number: 12251815
    Abstract: An intelligent flexible biomimetic facial-expression robot is provided and includes a model head, a skeleton, a drive means, and an epidermal layer. The skeleton defines two first slide slots and two first notches. The drive means includes a mounting bracket, an eyebrow drive module, and an eyelid drive module. The eyebrow drive module includes a first drive source, a first crank, and a first rocker. The eyelid drive module includes a second rocker. The epidermal layer defines two first areas and two second areas. Each of the first crank and the second crank passes through the two first slide slots. A distal end of the first crank drives the two first areas, asynchronous with respect to the second crank driving the two second areas, and the two first areas and the two second areas flexibly deform to generate expressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Inventor: Quansheng Wang