Patents by Inventor James D. Van de Ven

James D. Van de Ven 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).

  • Patent number: 11761357
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump-motor includes a cylinder block including a plurality of fluid chambers, a piston in each of the fluid chambers, a cam, a fixed valve area profile, and a timing adjustment actuator. The cam includes a cam surface that engages the pistons and drives movement of the pistons relative to the fluid chambers in response to relative rotation between the cam and the fluid chambers. The fixed valve area profile is configured to control fluid flows between the fluid chambers and first and second ports. The timing adjustment actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of the fixed valve area profile relative to an angular orientation of the cam based on a pressure differential between a pressure at the first port and a pressure at the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Grey C. Boyce-Erickson, James D. Van de Ven, Thomas R. Chase
  • Patent number: 11731081
    Abstract: A fluid power circuit with a switch-mode power transformer used to transfer power while keeping the pressure of power source and reverse osmosis processes relatively decoupled. The switch-mode power transformer uses the inertia of a hydraulic motor driven electric generator and switching of a hydraulic motor inlet between high and low-pressure ends to decrease the pressure at which power is being transmitted to a reverse osmosis process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jeremy W. Simmons, II, James D. Van de Ven
  • Publication number: 20220074324
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump-motor includes a cylinder block including a plurality of fluid chambers, a piston in each of the fluid chambers, a cam, a fixed valve area profile, and a timing adjustment actuator. The cam includes a cam surface that engages the pistons and drives movement of the pistons relative to the fluid chambers in response to relative rotation between the cam and the fluid chambers. The fixed valve area profile is configured to control fluid flows between the fluid chambers and first and second ports. The timing adjustment actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of the fixed valve area profile relative to an angular orientation of the cam based on a pressure differential between a pressure at the first port and a pressure at the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Grey C. Boyce-Erickson, James D. Van de Ven, Thomas R. Chase
  • Publication number: 20210031143
    Abstract: A fluid power circuit with a switch-mode power transformer used to transfer power while keeping the pressure of power source and reverse osmosis processes relatively decoupled. The switch-mode power transformer uses the inertia of a hydraulic motor driven electric generator and switching of a hydraulic motor inlet between high and low-pressure ends to decrease the pressure at which power is being transmitted to a reverse osmosis process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jeremy W. Simmons, II, James D. Van de Ven
  • Patent number: 10215304
    Abstract: A 3-way high-speed valve including a housing, first and second spools, and an actuator mechanism. The spools are slidably disposed in bores of the housing. The housing further defines an inlet, first and second intermediate ports, and first and second outlets. The inlet is fluidly open to the first bore. The intermediate ports each fluidly connect the first and second bores. The first and second outlets are fluidly open to the second bore. The actuator mechanism articulates the spool bodies to generate differing flow conditions of the valve, including a first flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the first outlet, and a second flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Alexander C. Yudell, Shaun E. Koktavy
  • Patent number: 10077799
    Abstract: A crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft member, a crank pin shaft member and a clamp. The crankshaft member includes a first central axis and an end having a first circumferential mating surface. The crank pin shaft member includes a second central axis that is substantially parallel to the first central axis, and an end having a second circumferential mating surface. The clamp is configured to secure the first circumferential mating surface to the second circumferential mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Shawn Wilhelm, James D. Van de Ven
  • Publication number: 20180119689
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly including a first pump, a second pump, a shaft, and fluid lines is disclosed. The first pump includes a first piston assembly. The second pump including a second piston assembly. Each piston assembly of the first and second pumps includes a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder. The shaft connects the first pump to the second pump and is configured to displace the pistons within the cylinders of the first and second piston assemblies. The fluid lines fluidly couple the first piston assembly with the second piston assembly to form paired piston assemblies. The first piston assembly is phase shifted from the second piston assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Eric J. Barth, Kim A. Stelson
  • Publication number: 20170102092
    Abstract: A 3-way high-speed valve including a housing, first and second spools, and an actuator mechanism. The spools are slidably disposed in bores of the housing. The housing further defines an inlet, first and second intermediate ports, and first and second outlets. The inlet is fluidly open to the first bore. The intermediate ports each fluidly connect the first and second bores. The first and second outlets are fluidly open to the second bore. The actuator mechanism articulates the spool bodies to generate differing flow conditions of the valve, including a first flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the first outlet, and a second flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Alexander C. Yudell, Shaun E. Koktavy
  • Patent number: 9441483
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Shawn R. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20150300402
    Abstract: A crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft member, a crank pin shaft member and a clamp. The crankshaft member includes a first central axis and an end having a first circumferential mating surface. The crank pin shaft member includes a second central axis that is substantially parallel to the first central axis, and an end having a second circumferential mating surface. The clamp is configured to secure the first circumferential mating surface to the second circumferential mating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Shawn Wilhelm, James D. Van de Ven
  • Publication number: 20140060319
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Shawn R. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8590420
    Abstract: A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel that can maintain a constant angular velocity is disclosed. The flywheel uses a movable member to separate a liquid filled chamber from a gas occupying chamber. In one embodiment, a self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel includes a container having an internal volume and a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber containing a fluid. The movable member is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: James D. Van de Ven
  • Patent number: 8413436
    Abstract: An accumulator system is configured to store energy and includes an accumulator having a liquid chamber coupled to a liquid port and an air chamber coupled to an air port. The liquid chamber and the air chamber are separated by a moveable isolation barrier. An air motor/compressor coupled to the air port is configured to receive a mechanical input and responsively pump air into the accumulator, and to receive pressurized air from the air port and responsively provide a mechanical output. A liquid reservoir is coupled to the liquid port to receive liquid from the liquid chamber as air is pumped into the air chamber and to provide liquid to the liquid chamber as air is removed from the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Perry Y. Li, James D. Van de Ven
  • Publication number: 20120011960
    Abstract: A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel that can maintain a constant angular velocity is disclosed. The flywheel uses a movable member to separate a liquid filled chamber from a gas occupying chamber. In one embodiment, a self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel includes a container having an internal volume and a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber containing a fluid. The movable member is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: James D. Van de Ven
  • Publication number: 20100018196
    Abstract: An accumulator system is configured to store energy and includes an accumulator having a liquid chamber coupled to a liquid port and an air chamber coupled to an air port. The liquid chamber and the air chamber are separated by a moveable isolation barrier. An air motor/compressor coupled to the air port is configured to receive a mechanical input and responsively pump air into the accumulator, and to receive pressurized air from the air port and responsively provide a mechanical output. A liquid reservoir is coupled to the liquid port to receive liquid from the liquid chamber as air is pumped into the air chamber and to provide liquid to the liquid chamber as air is removed from the air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Perry Y. Li, James D. Van de Ven