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).
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Patent number: 11963790Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Mark D. Bronkalla, Larissa Christina Schudlo, Benedikt Graf, Yiting Xie
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Patent number: 11827325Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Przybyl, Kyle F. Karnick, Mark A. Graf, Jeffrey D. Reifsnyder
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Patent number: 11260946Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Przybyl, Kyle F. Karnick, Mark A. Graf, Jeffrey D. Reifsnyder
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Patent number: 8931608Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Mark Graf
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Patent number: 8863922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Mark Graf
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Patent number: 8607556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Mark Graf
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Publication number: 20120247900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Mark Graf
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Publication number: 20110278121Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Mark Graf
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Patent number: 7934997Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: David C. Avins, Mark Graf
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Publication number: 20110088380Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Mark GRAF
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Publication number: 20080128235Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: David C. Avins, Mark Graf
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Publication number: 20070199787Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Mark Graf, Fraser J. MacDonald
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Patent number: 5320413Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventors: Leslie Griswold, Mark Graf, John Flannery, Cynthia L. Hernandez, Srinivas Bidare, Obert Burch, David Pawczuk