Patents Examined by Thomas E. Lazo
  • Patent number: 11480170
    Abstract: A gearbox is coupled to a power end housing of a reciprocating pump, where the gearbox includes at least one support member having a first end securely affixed to the gearbox, and the at least one support member having a second end securely affixed to an immobile part of the reciprocating pump for supporting the gearbox and resisting movement of the gearbox relative to the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Byrne, Edward C. Kotapish, Jacob A. Bayyouk, Lawrence Waweru
  • Patent number: 11480199
    Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for attenuating certain pulsations in a hydraulic system comprising a pump and a hydraulic actuator. In certain aspects, an accumulator comprising an internal volume that is divided into a working chamber and a contained chamber may be utilized to at least partially attenuate propagation of certain pulsations in the system. The working chamber may be fluidically coupled to the pump via a first flow path and fluidically coupled to a chamber of the actuator via a second flow path. The system may be designed such that a first inertance of the first flow path is greater than a second inertance of the second flow path. Additionally or alternatively, the system may be designed such that a resonance associated with the first inertance and a compliance of the accumulator may occur at a resonance frequency of less than 90 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Woodard, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Hector Arnaldo Inirio
  • Patent number: 11473271
    Abstract: A hydraulic system controller is disclosed. The hydraulic system controller may determine a maximum active circuit pressure of a set of active hydraulic circuits of the hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump to cause fluid to flow throughout the set of active hydraulic circuits; determine a circuit pressure of a hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic system; determine, based on a hydraulic flow command for the hydraulic circuit and the circuit pressure, a desired circuit delta-pressure for the hydraulic circuit; determine, based on the desired circuit delta-pressure and a pressure difference between the maximum active circuit pressure and the circuit pressure, a circuit valve setting for a circuit valve of the hydraulic circuit; and cause a control device to set a position of the circuit valve according to the circuit valve setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rustin Glenn Metzger, Corey Lee Gorman, Adam Martin Nackers
  • Patent number: 11466705
    Abstract: The present patent of invention relates to a hydraulic unit (U) with a pneumatic cylinder (15) that works jointly with a servomotor (M), together with a ball screw (29) to together move a hydraulic piston pump (8), made up of a hydraulic plunger (7), with related sealing elements to prevent oil leaks, noise, metal-on-metal attrition and loss of efficiency, that is moved upwards and downwards using a ball screw (29) and a pneumatic cylinder (15), jointly with a servomotor (M) which, when moved, pushes the pressurized oil outwards while filling the opposite hydraulic chamber with an oil suction movement, the pumped oil entering a hydraulic pressure accumulator (25), where it remains idle to be used when required and being supplied by the up/down movement of the piston, generating continuous pumping, which is automatically stopped when the hydraulic pressure accumulator (25) is full and has reached the predetermined hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: DRAUSUISSE BRASIL COMERCIO E LOCACAO DE UNIDADES HIDRAULICAS INTELIGENTES S.A.
    Inventor: Ercio Miguel Nema
  • Patent number: 11466434
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a working machine, the hydraulic system includes: a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a boom actuator having an ascending chamber and a descending chamber; a first pump; a first directional control valve comprising a first ascending state configured for moving the boom in the ascending direction, a descending state configured for moving the boom actuator in the descending direction, and a first neutral state; a second pump; a second directional control valve comprising a second ascending state configured for moving the boom actuator in the ascending direction, and a second neutral state; wherein the second directional control valve further comprises a float state configured to connect at least one of the ascending and descending chambers to the hydraulic reservoir for permitting the boom to move freely in the descending and/or descending directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: JC Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Kyle Scott Abell, Mark Orton Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11466426
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a material moving machine comprises a pilot hydraulic switching system. The pilot hydraulic switching system comprises a control unit, a first directional valve, and a second directional valve. The control unit is configured to operate the first and second directional valves to shift a variable position actuator valve between a static state, a retract state, and an extend state. The actuator valve comprises a first and second control element. In the retract and extend states, the first and second directional valves control fluid flow to the variable position actuator valve with a positive net pressure on either the first or second control elements and a negative net pressure on the other control element to move the material moving implement. In the static state, the first and second directional valves control fluid flow equally on the first and second control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: CATERPILLAR TRIMBLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, TRIMBLE, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Davis, Richard Paul Piekutowski
  • Patent number: 11460080
    Abstract: A valve unit (V) has a valve housing (50) that includes a supply oil passage (55) configured to receive operating oil from a hydraulic pump, and a pressure adjustment valve (Va) configured to adjust the pressure of the supply oil passage (55). The pressure adjustment valve (Va) includes a pressure adjustment valve body (61) configured to open and close the supply oil passage (55), a compression coil spring (62) that keeps the pressure adjustment valve body (61) at a closed position when the pressure of the supply oil passage (55) is smaller than a set value and allows the pressure adjustment valve body (61) to open when the pressure of the supply oil passage (55) is not smaller than the set value, and a restriction member (63) configured to, when the pressure adjustment valve body (61) becomes open against the urging force of the spring (62) in response to a pressure of the operating oil, abut against the pressure adjustment valve body (61) to restrict movement of the pressure adjustment valve body (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Okamoto, Norita Tottori
  • Patent number: 11459729
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator drive system includes a regeneration line, which connects an arm pushing and an arm crowding supply line, each of which extends between an arm cylinder and arm control valve. The regeneration line includes regeneration and switching valves. A release line that is branched off from the regeneration line at a position between the regeneration valve and the switching valve is provided with a release valve. A secondary pressure from a first solenoid proportional valve is fed to a pilot port of the regeneration valve such that the regeneration valve opens at a time of arm crowding. A secondary pressure from a second solenoid proportional valve is fed to a pilot port of the release valve such that release valve opens at a time of arm pushing. An arm pushing pilot pressure for moving the arm control valve is led to a pilot port of the switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Kondo, Naoki Hata, Nobuyuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11459732
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a first electric machine connected to a first hydraulic machine and a second electric machine connected to a second hydraulic machine. An output side of the second hydraulic machine is connected to an input side of the first hydraulic machine. A hydraulic consumer is hydraulically coupled to an output side of the first hydraulic machine via a supply line and is powered by the first hydraulic machine. A return line hydraulically couples the hydraulic consumer to an input side of the first hydraulic machine. The second hydraulic machine provides a flow of hydraulic fluid to the input side of the first hydraulic machine if a requested flow from the first hydraulic machine exceeds a flow of the return line and recuperates energy if the requested flow from the first hydraulic machine is lower than the flow of the return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Bo Vigholm, Johan Hallman
  • Patent number: 11460052
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a hydraulic circuit of a working machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system can include a first hydraulic cylinder assembly, a second hydraulic cylinder assembly, a third hydraulic cylinder assembly and a valve. When coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly, the third hydraulic cylinder assembly can be configured to control a flow of a hydraulic fluid between the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly to limit an extent of travel of the first piston and an extent of travel of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
  • Patent number: 11460054
    Abstract: A flow control manifold apparatus includes a housing defining a first flow path from a flow input port to flow output port and a second flow path from a return inlet port to a return outlet port. A first flow regulating valve is placed inline the first flow path and an excess flow path fluidly couples the first flow path to the second flow path. An excess pressure valve is placed inline the excess flow path and is in a closed orientation when the first flow regulating valve is open so that all of the fluid exits through the flow output port. The excess pressure valve is then in a partially open orientation when the first flow regulating valve is partially closed so that a first portion of the fluid exits through the flow output port and a second portion of the fluid exits through the return outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Moley Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Moley
  • Patent number: 11453373
    Abstract: A brake control device adjusts a fluid pressure of a brake fluid in a wheel cylinder, and is provided with: a fluid passage which connects a master cylinder and the wheel cylinder; a first electromagnetic valve which is provided in the fluid passage; a second electromagnetic valve which is provided in the fluid passage between the first electromagnetic valve and the wheel cylinder; a fluid pump which is driven by an electric motor, suctions the brake fluid from the fluid passage at a suction part between the first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve, and discharges the brake fluid to the fluid passage at a discharge part between the first electromagnetic valve UP and the second electromagnetic valve; a check valve which is provided between the fluid pump and the discharge part; and a controller which controls the first electromagnetic valve, the second electromagnetic valve, and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Takeya
  • Patent number: 11454258
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid-driven drive having a movable working surface and a volume-variable cavity, further having an unstable element, wherein given a movement of the working surface in a first movement direction, the unstable element can initially be moved at least in a section with an increased expenditure of force out to an unstable point, wherein when going past the unstable point in the first movement direction, in addition to the force that is provided by fluid pressure, a force exerted by the unstable element is also available in the direction of the first movement direction, wherein given a subsequent movement of the working surface in a second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction, the unstable element can be initially moved with an increased expenditure of force out to an unstable point, wherein when passing the unstable point in the second movement direction, a lower expenditure of force is required for movement at least sectionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: RHEINISCH-WESTFÄLISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE (RWTH) AACHEN
    Inventor: Olivier Reinertz
  • Patent number: 11448239
    Abstract: A hydraulic control loop controls a hydraulic adjusting cylinder. The cylinder has a cylindrical housing and a displaceable piston therein. The piston divides the housing interior into a first and a second hydraulic chamber. A first hydraulic valve supplies the first hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pressure of the first hydraulic chamber is adjustable by controlling the first hydraulic valve. A second hydraulic valve supplies the second hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic chamber is adjustable by controlling the second hydraulic valve. A control device controls the two hydraulic valves. In a position control state, the second hydraulic valve is controlled by a position control signal dependent on the working position of the piston and the first hydraulic valve is controlled by an adjusted position control signal, that is generated on the basis of the position control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SMS group GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zielenbach, Jörn Sohler, Peter Horn, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11448241
    Abstract: An example valve assembly includes a first workport fluidly coupled to a first actuator; a second workport fluidly coupled to the first actuator; a third workport fluidly coupled to a second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage; a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage; and a spool axially movable in a bore within the valve assembly, wherein when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Slattery
  • Patent number: 11441582
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein two sheets of a flexible, inelastic substance are sealed along a periphery thereof, creating an interior reservoir preferably containing two or more elongate chambers, organized normal to an axis of traction. The disclosed axis of traction is an axis along which the disclosed device reduces length as a medium is introduced into the reservoir. Further disclosed is a method by which one or more bladders of flexible, inelastic substance are woven through two or more preferably parallel strips or strings. The bladders are adapted to receive a preferably gaseous or liquid medium. As the medium is moved into the bladders, the flexible strips or stings are deformed to cause the strips or strings to have a reduced length along the axis of traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Alexander Sergeev
  • Patent number: 11441677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control arrangement for vehicles having a hydrostatic auxiliary drive for one or more axles, in particular for motor graders, having a drive engine, driven rear wheels coupled to the drive engine, further wheels which can be activated by associated hydraulic motors and can be operated by a hydraulic pump coupled to the drive engine and which has an adjustable feed volume, wherein each wheel is connected to a hydraulic motor without a clutch. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motors can be activated electrically and adjusted in a continuously variable fashion and the hydraulic pump is connected directly, without valves, to the hydraulic motors in parallel by hydraulic lines. The control device controls the respective displacement volume of the hydraulic motors only as a function of the rotational speed signals of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CNH BAUMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Weber, Erik Lautner, Thomas Neubert
  • Patent number: 11441424
    Abstract: A closure element for a fluid end assembly that has two or more recessed grooves formed in its outer surface. The grooves are axially offset. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of axially offset grooves in a single closure element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical closure elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different axial position. Another closure element has a series of ledge-like surfaces defining spaces within which a seal may be received. One outer surface surrounds one or more of the other surfaces. A seal is placed in one and only one of the spaces. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventor: Kelcy Jake Foster
  • Patent number: 11434943
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cylinder includes providing a cylinder having a piston, a servo valve and a measuring device having at least one first position sensor and one second position sensor, measurements are taken of the position of the piston in the cylinder body simultaneously with the first position sensor and the second position sensor, at least one first displacement speed of the piston is determined on the basis of the piston position measurements obtained with the first position sensor, at least one second displacement speed of the piston is determined on the basis of the piston position measurements obtained with the second position sensor, and each of the first and second determined displacement speeds of the piston are compared with a modelled or predetermined displacement speed of the piston, in such a way as to identify the most reliable position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Christophe Marc Alexandre Le Brun, Charles Ying, Alexis Ferrer Belloti Cardin
  • Patent number: 11434942
    Abstract: A pressure vessel arrangement includes a pressure vessel and an optical sensor arrangement. The pressure vessel includes: a cylinder construction having a cylinder wall extending from a cylinder wall first end to a cylinder wall second end, and having an internal surface forming an interior region; a first end cap closing the cylinder wall first end and having an optical window located therein to permit passage of light therethough and into the interior region; a second end cap closing the cylinder wall second end; and a piston constructed to slide within the cylinder construction interior region along a direction between the cylinder all first end and the cylinder wall second end and along the cylinder construction internal surface to separate the interior region into a first end interior region and a second end interior region. The pressure vessel is constructed to withstand a fatigue test of one million cycles at 5,000 psi without failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Industries Mailhot Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Jackan, Sean D. Neitzel