Patents Examined by Vinh Luong
  • Patent number: 11472510
    Abstract: An electric device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an accommodating structure. The accommodating structure includes a main body, an attachment member, and a power-supply accommodating part. The attachment member is configured to be attached to the main body. The power-supply accommodating part is provided at least one of the main body and the attachment member so as to accommodate a power supply, the power-supply accommodating part including an insertion opening and a first inner surface. The first inner surface extends along a reference plane and having a first outline defining a first area as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. The insertion opening extends along an insertion opening plane non-parallel to the reference plane. The insertion opening has an opening outline defining an insertion opening area as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion opening plane. The first area is larger than the insertion opening area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Takuma Sakai, Yuichiro Hidaka, Shun Kakehashi, Kazuma Mori
  • Patent number: 11465783
    Abstract: A magnetically suspended control moment gyroscope comprising: a gimbal; a flywheel system, set in the gimbal; wherein the flywheel system comprises: a housing; a shaft, arranged in an inner cavity of the housing; a radial magnetic bearing, comprising: a first rotor portion and a first stator portion fixed to the shaft; an upper axial magnetic bearing and a lower axial magnetic bearing, wherein the upper axial magnetic bearing is fixed to an upper end of the first stator portion, the lower axial magnetic bearing is fixed to a lower end of the first stator portion; a wheel body, set in the radial magnetic bearing, fixed to the first rotor portion; an upper axial thrust plate and a lower axial thrust plate, wherein the upper axial thrust plate is fixed to an upper end of the wheel body, and is on an upper end of the upper axial magnetic bearing, the lower axial thrust plate is fixed to a lower end of the wheel body, and is under a lower end of the lower axial magnetic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jinji Sun, Jiye Zhao, Jiqiang Tang, Yun Le
  • Patent number: 11465709
    Abstract: A hybrid bicycle pedal and crank system includes a chain ring, a foot peg mount disposed on at least one side of the chain ring, and a foot peg rotatably mounted to the foot peg mount on at least one side of the chain ring and configured to rotate from a pedaling position in which the foot peg is offset from a center axis of the chain ring to a fixed foot peg position in which the foot peg is fixed in alignment with the center axis of the chain ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Gregory Kenneth Pompea
  • Patent number: 11440616
    Abstract: A crank extension device for an overhead crank. The device comprises a shell configured to fit over a crank handle, and the shell comprises an aperture for passage of the crank shaft. The device also comprises an extension connected to or integral with the shell, wherein the extension has an extension axis offset from a rotational axis of the crank shaft. Methods of modifying an. overhead crank and for using a crank extension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TH Innovative Products, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Hipp
  • Patent number: 11428306
    Abstract: A shipping strap for a hybrid module includes a first annular surface, a second annular surface, and a central bore. The first annular surface includes a first orifice for receiving a first fastener for fixing the shipping strap to a hybrid module housing, or receiving a dowel pin for radially positioning the shipping strap relative to the hybrid module housing. The second annular surface includes a second orifice for receiving a second fastener for securing the shipping strap to a rotor for an electric machine to axially position the rotor in the hybrid module housing. In some example embodiments, the shipping strap has a through bore aligned with the central bore, and a lifting element installed in the through bore for installing the hybrid module in a multi-speed transmission. In an example embodiment, the lifting element is installed in the through bore by a threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, John Ramsey, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 11421585
    Abstract: A variable drive system, to drive an accessory drive of a machine may include a first variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to the accessory drive and an engine output of an engine. The variable drive system may also include a second variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to a flywheel. The variable drive system may include a drive element to rotate, according to a clutch system, about the first variable pulley and the second variable pulley to at least one of: drive the second variable pulley to charge the flywheel with kinetic energy or drive the first variable pulley via kinetic energy from the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Gaurav Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 11415203
    Abstract: An actuator for use with an external controller, either alone or in a group including other actuators controlled from the same external controller. The actuator includes a housing for encasing internal components of the device; a motor assembly for creating motion, the motor assembly being disposed within the housing; and a drive assembly for driving a pushrod, the drive assembly being arranged within the housing and slidingly connected to the motor assembly. A remote control communication circuit is electrically connected to the motor. The actuator includes an in line planetary gear and a linear position sensor. The actuator may include a hand held remote controller which utilizes tilt for proportional control, and a distributed network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Power Engineering & Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: James Lawrence Blesener, Amir Hooshang Amighi
  • Patent number: 11401007
    Abstract: A hydraulic device is provided for a human powered vehicle. The hydraulic device includes a piston, a base member, and a hydraulic cylinder. The base member is made of a first non-metallic material. The hydraulic cylinder is provided to the base member and defines a cylinder bore. The hydraulic cylinder includes a main portion in which the piston is movably arranged. The main portion is made of a second non-metallic material that is different from the first non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 11396977
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a landfill compactor includes an axle housing, a carrier housing located proximate the center of the axle housing, a drain plug located on an underside of the carrier housing, and a guard. The guard is attached to the underside of the carrier housing with adhesive such that the guard covers the drain plug and is configured to protect and give access to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Elias El Metennani, Amit Kashyap, Joseph Frystak, Dan Pierce
  • Patent number: 11396923
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum absorber, including: a first pendulum mass; a second pendulum mass; a center plate axially located between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass, connected to the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass, and arranged to receive rotational torque; a first resilient bumper axially located between the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass, and connected to the first pendulum mass and the second pendulum mass; and a first radial travel stop connected to the first pendulum mass or to the second pendulum mass, located radially outward of the first resilient bumper, radially aligned with at least a portion of the first resilient bumper, and free of contact with the first resilient bumper when the centrifugal pendulum absorber is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Jonathan Adams, Jose Maria Cristiani
  • Patent number: 11390162
    Abstract: A pedal box for a vehicle comprises at least one of a brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; wherein the pedal box assembly, includes at least one articulating mounting member which allows the pedal box assembly to accommodate a variety of vehicle floor geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Daryl Perusic
  • Patent number: 11385671
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing with a housing wall; a rotary-push actuator comprising a transmitter element arranged on a first side of the housing wall, a rotary actuator, which is rotatable around an axis of rotation, especially its longitudinal axis, wherein the rotary actuator is arranged on the first side of the housing wall, wherein the rotary actuator comprises at least one first magnetic element, which is arranged away from the axis of rotation; and an evaluation device, which is arranged on a second side of the housing wall, wherein the evaluation device is configured in such a manner that it detects an axial movement of the transmission element and/or a rotational movement of the rotary actuator relative to the evaluation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH+CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Robl, Michael Dieterich, Marco Bezzon
  • Patent number: 11385672
    Abstract: A finger pointing joystick with magnetic induction is provided. The finger pointing joystick with magnetic induction includes a main housing having a bottom case and an upper cover; a support frame having a fixed end fixedly to an end of the bottom case; a movable sphere disposed on a receiving ring; a joystick body fixed on the movable sphere; an elastic piston piece having a connecting rod inserted through a piston groove, an elastic disc fixed below the connecting rod, a return spring fixed between the movable sphere and the elastic disc, and a magnet correspondingly fixed to the elastic disk; and a magnetic induction element disposed below the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiung Chu
  • Patent number: 11384788
    Abstract: A tie rod that includes a central section, a first tapered section, and a second tapered section. A thermoplastic tube extends the length of the tie rod. The first tapered section includes a first insert positioned within the thermoplastic tube. The second tapered section includes a second insert positioned within the thermoplastic tube. A channel extends through the tie rod along the central section, the first tapered section, and the second tapered section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Amol Ogale
  • Patent number: 11371714
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a shaft protruding to an outside of a control panel; a knob installed in a way that encircles an outside of the shaft protruding to the outside of the control panel; a knob ring disposed between the control panel and the knob, and configured to guide a rotation of the knob; a supporter disposed between the knob and the knob ring, and shaft-coupled to the shaft to connect the knob and the shaft; and a support part disposed between the knob ring and the supporter and configured to narrow a gap between the knob ring and the supporter, or disposed between the knob ring and the knob and configured to narrow a gap between the knob ring and the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dae Yong Lee, Chung Kang, Daejin Jo
  • Patent number: 11364969
    Abstract: A pedal comprises a spindle, a pedal body, and traction pins located in the pedal body. The pedal body rotates around the spindle. The pedal body has two surfaces configured to receive a shoe. Traction pins pass through openings in the pedal body and extend beyond the surface of the pedal body to form a platform for the rider's shoe. The heads of the traction pins are shaped to help secure the rider's shoe on the pedal. The traction pins are secured in the pedal body by fasteners that interact with the traction pins via holes positioned perpendicular to the traction pin openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew McKee
  • Patent number: 11365825
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including a fail-fix system is provided. The actuator assembly includes an output shaft, an input drive assembly, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a body surrounding a piston moveable within the body. The body defines a first end and a second end opposite thereof between which the piston is moveable within the body. The piston assembly includes a spring disposed at the first end between the body and the piston. The piston assembly includes a friction mechanism disposed at the second end of the piston opposite of the first end. An adjustable area is defined within the body between the second end of the piston and the input drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roger Michael Roach
  • Patent number: 11346434
    Abstract: A series elastic actuator includes a gear, a mounting recess formed in the gear, an elastic body provided in the mounting recess, an output body, a through-hole penetrating the gear, a shaft passing through the through-hole, a pair of bearings to radially support the shaft, and a pair of bearing mounting recesses to receive the pair of bearings. The gear is configured to rotate by a rotational power source. A rotation force of the gear is transmitted to the gear by the elastic body. The through-hole may extend in an axial direction, and the pair of bearings may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The pair of bearing mounting recesses may be formed at opposite ends of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Huichang Park, Jideok Kim
  • Patent number: 11345436
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bicycle pedal adapter configured to be clicked onto a bicycle pedal for use with a bicycle shoe having a cleat. The bicycle pedal adapter is configured to convert the bicycle pedal to a bicycle pedal suitable for use with a shoe without a cleat. The, bicycle adapter does not comprise a toe-clip, and is free of a connecting member for connecting a toe-clip. The bicycle pedal adapter comprising a top wall comprising a foot support surface and a bottom surface, a central axis perpendicular to the foot support surface, a coupling for connecting the pedal adapter to the bicycle pedal, the coupling comprising a front and rear coupling part, a front restraining member provided at a left side and a right side of the front coupling part, a rear restraining member provided at a left side and a right side of the rear coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Marten Peter van der Heide
  • Patent number: 11339875
    Abstract: A park release mechanism for a vehicle, including an upper housing and an assembleable lower housing. A cam with a projecting handle is arranged between the upper and lower housings and defines a range of pivotal rotation relative the housings. A cable is secured at one end to the cam and adapted to secure at an opposite end to a transmission of the vehicle. An unlock component is incorporated into the housing in communication with the cam and handle and, upon actuating, to shift the vehicle to and from a Park position upon actuation of the handle and displacement of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Calogero Alu, Brian Andrew Mayville