Patents Examined by Thomas C Diaz
  • Patent number: 11236800
    Abstract: A damper device is disclosed. The damper device includes first and second rotary members, a plurality of elastic members, and a plurality of end seat members. The first rotary member includes a first engaging portion and an annular chamber filled with a viscous fluid in an interior thereof. The second rotary member includes a second engaging portion, and is rotatable relative to the first rotary member. The plurality of elastic members are aligned in a circumferential direction in the interior of the annular chamber, and elastically couple the first rotary member and the second rotary member in a rotational direction. Each of the plurality of end seat members is disposed between one of the plurality of elastic members and at least one of the first and second engaging portions. The each of the plurality of end seat members includes an end seat communicating groove penetrating therethrough in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masataka Aikawa, Hiroki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11231179
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11213917
    Abstract: A method of fusion welding two ferrous alloy component parts, at least one of which is considered unweldable, involves placing a low carbon steel band into a groove defined in part by each of the ferrous alloy component parts and then conveying a concentrated energy source along a welding line that overlaps the low carbon steel band to melt the steel band along with adjacent portions of the ferrous alloy component parts to form a blended alloy weld pool. The blended alloy weld pool solidifies behind the forward movement of the concentrated energy source into a weld joint that fusion welds the ferrous alloy component parts together. The ferrous alloy component parts may include a differential casing and a ring gear. In that regard, a differential casing and ring gear assembly that includes a weld joint is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Shun X. Zhang
  • Patent number: 11208141
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly including a housing, an output shaft, a wheel gear that is fixed to the output shaft, and an input shaft. A torsion bar that connects the input shaft to the output shaft, an electric motor, a worm gear that is rotationally fixed to the rotor and engages the wheel gear to transfer torque from the motor to the output shaft, and a key lock assembly. A seal assembly is provided that isolates the locking collar from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Artur Wojtalik, Tomasz Seneta
  • Patent number: 11204090
    Abstract: A housing component includes a flange defining a center point and having an end face formed with microstructures in a first region and a second region to increase a local friction coefficient. The microstructures have each a blade shape with a cutting line, the cutting line in the first region being arranged concentrically about a first local center point, and the cutting line in the second region being arranged concentrically about a second local center point. The first and second local center points have different radial distances from the center point of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: FLENDER GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Vriesen, Alfons Böing
  • Patent number: 11174917
    Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for gear reduction. An example system comprises a second gear configured to be disposed in mesh with a first gear coupled to an input shaft. The system further comprises a carrier housing configured to be fixably disposed within the second gear. The system further comprises a third gear configured to be disposed within the carrier housing; a fourth gear configured to be disposed in mesh with the third gear, wherein the third gear is further configured to rotate about the fourth gear; an anti-backlash gear coupled to the fourth gear and configured to be disposed in mesh with the third gear; and a fifth gear configured to be disposed in mesh with the third gear. The second gear, the fourth gear, the anti-backlash gear, and the fifth gear are configured to be disposed along a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Larson, John Jerred, Stephen William Tillotson, Chandra Sudhakar Gudimetla, Mahesh Basavantappa Hallikeri, Joe Walling
  • Patent number: 11162579
    Abstract: A dial type shift control apparatus for an electronic shift system is provided. The dial type shift control apparatus includes a main housing having a boss portion protruding upward, a bearing fitted to an outside of the boss portion, a rotator fitted to an outside of the bearing, and a shift dial coupled to the rotator. The shift dial covers the rotator and the bearing from above, and the shift dial is configured to rotate with the rotator when operated by a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Han Gil Park, Ki Young Song, Sung Hoon Lee, Min Gwon Lee, Joo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11162685
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11149726
    Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Guillermo Rodriguez, Samir Nath Seth
  • Patent number: 11143284
    Abstract: A power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly may include a housing, a first bearing, a second bearing, a worm, and a worm gear. The first bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a first central axis. The second bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a second central axis offset from the first central axis. The first bearing and the second bearing are arranged with the housing such that the second bearing is movable to align the first central axis with the second central axis responsive to a load applied to the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Ryan D. Harris, Joshua D. Mullins, William J. Logan
  • Patent number: 11143412
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11135716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot device comprising a chain comprising a plurality of fixedly connected links and a mobile actuator movable thereon configured to change a position of a link relative to a position of an adjacent link; wherein said mobile actuator comprises at least a first motor to drive it along said chain of connected links; and wherein said mobile actuator is engageable with a position-determining element in said link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: B.G. NEGEV TECHNOLOGIES & APPLICATIONS LTD., AT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: David Zarrouk
  • Patent number: 11105587
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a turret for a firearm. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a turret zero stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sheltered Wings, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hamilton, Michael Rosen
  • Patent number: 11092152
    Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Guillermo Rodriguez, Samir Nath Seth
  • Patent number: 11091222
    Abstract: A multi-function racing type bicycle pedal includes a pedal body, a connecting seat and a shoe clip. The pedal body has a spindle, a fixed front and an elastic rear. An engaging surface is formed between the fixed front and the elastic rear for optionally connecting a cleat. A connecting platform is formed on an opposite side of the engaging surface and at a front side and a rear side of the spindle. The connecting platform has a locking hole. The connecting seat is a flat plate and has a through hole corresponding to the locking hole for being passed through by a screw so as to removably fasten the connecting seat onto the connecting platform. An exposed surface of the connecting seat is provided with an anti-slip pattern. The shoe clip is an arcuate body and removably disposed on the connecting seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Chin-Long Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11077904
    Abstract: A knuckle guard of the embodiment includes a guard member disposed in front of a grip of a handle of a vehicle, a connecting member connected to the guard member, and a detachment structure provided in an attachment part between the guard member and the connecting member and configured to detach the guard member forward from the connecting member when a load exceeding a set value is applied to the guard member from behind, in which the detachment structure is provided in an inner portion in a vehicle width direction of the guard member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shimpei Shikanai, Jumpei Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11079004
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a motor, a transmission system, and a housing having a motor housing accommodating the motor and a gear housing accommodating the transmission system. The transmission system includes a first gear supported by a first bearing and a second gear supported by a second bearing. The gear housing includes first and second holding portions holding the first and second bearings. Surrounding ribs project from a wall surface of the gear housing, and surround an area that encompasses the first and second bearings when viewed in an axial direction. The surrounding ribs include arc-shaped ribs along outer circumferential edges of the first and second bearings, and straight ribs connected to the arc-shaped ribs. One or more of the straight ribs are each located on a common tangent to the first bearing and the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Ishikawa, Keigo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11081931
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus including a spherical rotating member having permanent magnets and uniquely-identifiable location-defining elements, a plurality of coils, a controller operably coupled to the plurality of coils, a power source, and a location sensing apparatus operable to detect the plurality of location-defining elements. The controller may compare time-sequential information from the location sensing apparatus to determine a rotational axis and a rotational speed of the rotating member, operate the coils to change the rotational axis speed of the rotating member, increase energy stored by the rotating member by increasing the rotational speed by operating the coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with the permanent magnets, and withdraw energy by operating the coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets to produce induced current in the coils and directing the induced current to a power delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Alluvionic, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricardo Romeu
  • Patent number: 11079005
    Abstract: In a vehicular final speed reducing device, the intermediate, rear, bottom and the side walls define a breather chamber, and the partition wall divides the breather chamber into auxiliary and primary breather chambers. The auxiliary breather chamber is held in communication with a space outside the breather chamber and within the housing, through a first hole formed through the intermediate wall, and through an opening formed between the intermediate and bottom walls. The primary breather chamber is held in communication with an outside atmosphere outside the housing, and with the auxiliary breather chamber through a second hole formed through the partition wall. The bottom wall extends from the rear wall such that a front end of the bottom wall is located forwardly of the opening in the axial direction of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahide Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11072237
    Abstract: A UTV portal axle system is disclosed, including a spindle with a housing for housing input and output drive gears coupled by one or more idler gears. The output drive gear is disposed lower than the input drive gear to provide additional ground clearance to the UTV. The king pin axis angle is substantially the same as that of a stock UTV, while maintaining a scrub radius of substantially one inch or less. This is accomplished by the lower control arm ball joint being located within a recess of the output drive gear. This allows the UTV to be properly controlled when driven at high speeds over rough or uneven terrain. The gears may be interchangeable to allow the gear ratio to be adjusted to be more suitable for use at various driving speeds. A method of changing the gear ratio is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: J & J Holdings and Investments, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Smith