Patents by Inventor Mark A. Graf

Mark A. Graf 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: 11963790
    Abstract: An approach for a computer program to receive image data of a subject including at least a portion of a spine of the subject and a chronological age of the subject. The approach includes the computer program pre-processing the image data including at least a portion of a spine. The approach includes determining an apparent age of the spine or a portion of the spine of the subject using a trained artificial intelligence deep learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Mark D. Bronkalla, Larissa Christina Schudlo, Benedikt Graf, Yiting Xie
  • Patent number: 11827325
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Przybyl, Kyle F. Karnick, Mark A. Graf, Jeffrey D. Reifsnyder
  • Patent number: 11260946
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Przybyl, Kyle F. Karnick, Mark A. Graf, Jeffrey D. Reifsnyder
  • Patent number: 8931608
    Abstract: A friction assembly for a torque converter, including: a side plate for a damper in the torque converter; a plate; an output hub for connection to an input shaft for a transmission; and a diaphragm spring. The side plate and the plate are fixedly connected to a turbine shell for the torque converter. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the output hub so that the diaphragm spring rotates with the output hub and is axially displaceable with respect to the output hub. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the side plate and the plate so that the diaphragm spring is axially restrained by the side plate. The plate and is rotatable with respect to the side plate and the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Mark Graf
  • Patent number: 8863922
    Abstract: An assembly for a clutch, including a piston plate having an annular portion with a first substantially circumferentially aligned surface, and a bearing centering plate including at least one second substantially circumferentially aligned surface engaged with the first surface, the bearing centering plate arranged to retain a thrust bearing or bushing. An assembly for a clutch, including a piston plate having a first surface aligned with an axis of rotation for the clutch, at a first substantially uniform distance from the axis, and facing radially outward, a thrust bearing or bushing, and a bearing centering plate. The bearing centering plate including at least one second surface arranged to contact the first surface, and at least one third surface aligned with the axis, at a second substantially uniform distance from the axis, facing radially inward or radially outward, and arranged to contact a circumference of the thrust bearing or the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mark Graf
  • Patent number: 8607556
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine shell; a turbine hub fixedly connected to the turbine shell; and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes: a damper hub; first and second cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with a first plurality of springs, the second plate fixedly connected to the turbine hub; third and fourth cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with the plurality of first springs and with a second plurality of springs disposed radially inward of the first plurality of springs; a third spring for displacing the third cover plate in a first axial direction such that the first and third cover plates are in contact and the turbine and damper hubs are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mark Graf
  • Publication number: 20120247900
    Abstract: An assembly for a clutch, including a piston plate having an annular portion with a first substantially circumferentially aligned surface, and a bearing centering plate including at least one second substantially circumferentially aligned surface engaged with the first surface, the bearing centering plate arranged to retain a thrust bearing or bushing. An assembly for a clutch, including a piston plate having a first surface aligned with an axis of rotation for the clutch, at a first substantially uniform distance from the axis, and facing radially outward, a thrust bearing or bushing, and a bearing centering plate. The bearing centering plate including at least one second surface arranged to contact the first surface, and at least one third surface aligned with the axis, at a second substantially uniform distance from the axis, facing radially inward or radially outward, and arranged to contact a circumference of the thrust bearing or the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Mark Graf
  • Publication number: 20110278121
    Abstract: A friction assembly for a torque converter, including: a side plate for a damper in the torque converter; a plate; an output hub for connection to an input shaft for a transmission; and a diaphragm spring. The side plate and the plate are fixedly connected to a turbine shell for the torque converter. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the output hub so that the diaphragm spring rotates with the output hub and is axially displaceable with respect to the output hub. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the side plate and the plate so that the diaphragm spring is axially restrained by the side plate. The plate and is rotatable with respect to the side plate and the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Mark Graf
  • Patent number: 7934997
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque limiter including a sealed vessel with a damper assembly and a clutch arranged to receive torque from a drive unit and to transmit the torque to the damper assembly. The clutch is loaded independent of an engagement of the limiter with the drive unit. A reaction force between a resilient element in the clutch and the vessel preloads the clutch. The clutch is arranged to slip at a specified torque value. The resilient element is arranged to preload the clutch such that the clutch remains fully engaged up to the specified torque value. In some aspects, the limiter includes a drive unit connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the connection plate and the vessel. In some aspects, the vessel includes a housing connected to the connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the housing and the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: David C. Avins, Mark Graf
  • Publication number: 20110088380
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine shell; a turbine hub fixedly connected to the turbine shell; and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes: a damper hub; first and second cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with a first plurality of springs, the second plate fixedly connected to the turbine hub; third and fourth cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with the plurality of first springs and with a second plurality of springs disposed radially inward of the first plurality of springs; a third spring for displacing the third cover plate in a first axial direction such that the first and third cover plates are in contact and the turbine and damper hubs are in contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Mark GRAF
  • Publication number: 20080128235
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque limiter including a sealed vessel with a damper assembly and a clutch arranged to receive torque from a drive unit and to transmit the torque to the damper assembly. The clutch is loaded independent of an engagement of the limiter with the drive unit. A reaction force between a resilient element in the clutch and the vessel preloads the clutch. The clutch is arranged to slip at a specified torque value. The resilient element is arranged to preload the clutch such that the clutch remains fully engaged up to the specified torque value. In some aspects, the limiter includes a drive unit connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the connection plate and the vessel. In some aspects, the vessel includes a housing connected to the connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the housing and the damper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: David C. Avins, Mark Graf
  • Publication number: 20070199787
    Abstract: A coupling device operatively arranged between a drive unit and a rotary driven unit including a housing having first and second housing shells, a flange and a clutch assembly arranged to controllably engage a damper. The clutch assembly and damper are positioned within the housing, and the clutch assembly is arranged to directly frictionally engage the flange and first and second housing shells. The damper includes ends bearing against a portion of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Mark Graf, Fraser J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5320413
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator, attached to the other seat component, includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for engaging the spin nut to prevent it from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the actuator second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Griswold, Mark Graf, John Flannery, Cynthia L. Hernandez, Srinivas Bidare, Obert Burch, David Pawczuk