Patents by Inventor Brian J. Pinkelman
Brian J. Pinkelman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11927236Abstract: A rotating machine system include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include a plurality of vibration isolators. The vibration isolators can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The vibration isolators can be compression-type vibration isolators.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 11897379Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20240043080Abstract: A bicycle saddle system can include a saddle body. The system can include a vibration isolator including a stack of a plurality of conical springs. An intermediate structure can be operatively positioned between the saddle body and the vibration isolator. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The system can be used to provide improved vibration isolation performance when using a bicycle saddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Michael Paul Rowe, Christian Arthur Trager, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 11850980Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and a plurality of vibration isolators interposed between the seat frame and the seat pan for limiting transmission of vibrations from the seat frame to the seat pan.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Paul A Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Publication number: 20230337827Abstract: A chair can be configured for synchronized movement with visual content, such as a video game or movie, presented on a display. The chair can include a seat portion. A plurality of actuators can be operatively positioned to cause a movement of the seat portion. The actuators can include one or more shape memory material members. Each of the actuators being configured such that, when an activation input is provided to the one or more shape memory material members, the one or more shape memory material members change from a first configuration to a second configuration and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration. One or more processors operatively connected to selectively activate one or more of the actuators by causing the activation input to be provided to the one or more shape memory material members of at least one of the actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2022Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Brian J. Pinkelman, Michael Paul Rowe, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11752901Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLCInventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Brian J. Pinkelman, Ryohei Tsuruta, Mark A. Gummin
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Patent number: 11731721Abstract: A saddle for a bicycle can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance. The saddle can include a saddle body. The saddle can include a plurality of isolators. The plurality of isolators can be operatively connected to the saddle body. Each of the plurality of isolators can include a stack of a plurality of conical springs. The stack of the plurality of conical springs does not include a central shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 11702015Abstract: A cargo organizer is constructed from one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator per bi-stable strip. The cargo organizer can reside in the bi-stable strips elongated (flat) stable state and require little or no volume of the cargo compartment that it resides. Upon actuating a SMA actuator, the rapid conversion to the curved stable state can occur with the formation of a barrier to partition the cargo compartment into at least to portions. The transformation into the flat stable state removes the partition where the transformation can be via a second SMA actuator or manually. The cargo organizer can be incorporated into the cargo compartment in a manner that it translates from one site and orientation to one or more other sites or orientations by activation an actuator that can be an additional SMA actuator.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Pinkelman, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Paul A. Gilmore
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Patent number: 11686361Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting transmission of vibrations and forces causing vibrations from one element to another are provided. A vibration isolator may include a compressible inner member and an outer member compressible with the inner member. The outer member may be positioned at least partially around the inner member to provide lateral support to the inner member. The outer member may maintain a consistent diameter and compression force when in a compressed state. The outer member may include a tube with a zero or near-zero Poisson's ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Publication number: 20230191953Abstract: An actuator includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The actuator has a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension extending through the hinge assemblies. An outer skin is connected to the hinge assemblies. The outer skin defines a first actuator side, a second actuator side residing opposite the first actuator side, and a cavity. Shape-memory material (SMM) members are connected to the opposed hinge assemblies. At least one spring member is positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the opposed first and second actuator sides tending to urge the sides away from each other along the second dimension. When an input is provided to the SMM members, the SMM members change their configurations and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration in which the first dimension decreases and the second dimension changes inversely to the first dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Shardul Singh Panwar, Umesh N. Gandhi, Brian J. Pinkelman, Ryohei Tsuruta, Mark A. Gummin, Eric D. Smith, Mark E. Smith
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Patent number: 11649808Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., MIGA Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Umesh N. Gandhi, Shardul Singh Panwar, Paul A. Gilmore, Brian J. Pinkelman, Mark A. Gummin, Brian J. Stasey
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Patent number: 11649870Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a first conical disc spring member having a first end and a second end. A first-end spacer in contact with the first spring member first end, and a second-end spacer in contact with the first spring member second end. A second conical disc spring member has a first end and a second end. The second spring member first end is in contact with the first-end spacer. Another second-end spacer is in contact with the second spring member second end. A flexible housing of the isolator defines an interior. The housing is in contact with and extends between the second-end spacer and the other second-end spacer so that the first-end spacer and the first and second spring members are received in the housing interior. The housing includes a plurality of spaced-apart through holes formed therealong between the second-end spacer and the other second-end spacer.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North AmericaInventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Publication number: 20230136197Abstract: Vibration isolation for vehicle seat components can be provided and/or can be adjustable. A vehicle seat can include a seat portion. The seat portion can include a seat cushion and/or a seat pan. In some arrangements, one or more shape memory material members can be provided. The seat cushion can be supported by the one or more shape memory material members. The one or more shape memory material members can be configured to have selectively variable stiffness. In some arrangements, one or more super elastic wires can be provided. The one or more super elastic wires can be operatively connected to one or more structures such that the seat pan is suspended on the one or more super elastic wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Mark A. Gummin, Brian J. Stasey
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Publication number: 20230120436Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20230124526Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Umesh N. Gandhi, Shardul Singh Panwar, Paul A. Gilmore, Brian J. Pinkelman, Mark A. Gummin, Brian J. Stasey
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Patent number: 11603828Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle seat can be configured to prevent overstress of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. The actuator can include a first body member and a second body member pivotably connected to each other. The actuator can include an overstress post and an overstress contact plate operatively connected to the overstress post. Thus, movement of the overstress post causes movement of the overstress contact plate. The actuator can include an overstress contact pin. The actuator can include an SMA wire operatively connected to one of the body members and to the overstress post. When activated, the SMA wire can shrink, causing one of the body members to pivot relative to the other body member and causing the overstress contact plate to move toward the overstress contact pin. If the overstress contact plate contacts the overstress contact pin, the SMA wire can be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Gummin, Umesh N. Gandhi, Brian J. Pinkelman, Ryohei Tsuruta
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Patent number: 11603903Abstract: A rotating machine system can include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include one or more super elastic wires. The one or more super elastic wires can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and the inner surface of the housing. The one or more super elastic wires can reduce vibration within the rotating machine system.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Publication number: 20230020004Abstract: A saddle for a bicycle can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance. The saddle can include a saddle body. The saddle can include a plurality of isolators. The plurality of isolators can be operatively connected to the saddle body. Each of the plurality of isolators can include a stack of a plurality of conical springs. The stack of the plurality of conical springs does not include a central shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 11485437Abstract: A saddle for a bicycle can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance. The saddle can include a saddle body. The saddle body can include a front region and a rear region. The saddle can include a plurality of isolators. The plurality of isolators can be operatively connected to the saddle body in the rear region. The plurality of isolators can include a stack of a plurality of conical springs. The saddle can include a rail member. The rail member can be operatively connected to the plurality of isolators. Further, the rail member can be operatively connected to the saddle body in the front region.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 11472325Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to improving an actuator for a support system of a seat. In one embodiment, an actuator includes a body that is bi-stable with a coiled state and an uncoiled state. The actuator also includes a strip, coupled to the body, that coils the body according to heat caused by a power source. The actuator also includes a wire coupled to a side of the body opposite from the strip and the wire uncoils the body in response to heating caused by the power source.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore