Patents by Inventor Michael Henker
Michael Henker 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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Publication number: 20260160354Abstract: The present disclosure provides a valve assembly, including a housing, a valve body, a drive train assembly, a first magnetic component, a driving component, and a second magnetic component. The housing defining a first cavity and a second cavity which are independent of each other. The valve body is disposed in the first cavity. The drive train assembly is disposed in the first cavity to drive the valve body to rotate. The first magnetic component is disposed in the first cavity and disposed on the drive train assembly. The driving component is disposed in the second cavity. The second magnetic component is disposed in the second cavity and disposed on the driving component. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured such that the first magnetic component can rotate correspondingly as the second magnetic component rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2025Publication date: June 11, 2026Inventor: Michael Henker
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Patent number: 12533995Abstract: An actuated valveless architecture system includes a first screw pump, a second screw pump, and a plurality of check valves. The plurality of check valves is fluidically coupled with at least one of the first screw pump and the second screw pump. The plurality of check valves is configured to define a battery loop to regulate temperature of the battery system and a drivetrain loop to regulate temperature of the drive system.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2024Date of Patent: January 27, 2026Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Andrew Swantek, Peter Quade, Daniel Wenzel, Michael Henker, Eric Rask
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Publication number: 20260008317Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle having a first flow channel, a second flow channel, a first pump device, a second pump device, a single driving device, and a clutch device. The first pump device is fluidly connected to the first flow channel and the second pump device is fluidly connected to the second flow channel. The driving device is connected to the first pump device to drive the first pump device. The clutch device is connected between the driving device and the second pump device and is configured to connect or disconnect the driving device and the second pump device to selectively allow the driving device to drive the second pump device, to selectively convey fluid through the second flow channel. The single driving device includes a single motor. This thermal management system increases flexibility and efficiency of fluid flow control while reducing cost, size, and weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2025Publication date: January 8, 2026Inventor: Michael Henker
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Publication number: 20250171211Abstract: The present disclosure provides a container and a cap assembly. The container includes a component having an opening, and the cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap and an elastic arm. The elastic arm is disposed on the cap and extends obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the cap. At least a portion of the elastic arm is capable of being received in a recess and abuts against a second protrusion to prevent the cap assembly from rotating in a first direction relative to the component having the opening, such that the cap assembly is locked with the component having the opening; and the at least a portion of the elastic arm is capable of being released from the recess to unlock the component having the opening. The cap assembly of the present disclosure is capable of engaging with the component having the opening, such that the cap assembly cannot be unlocked without a specific tool (e.g., an operating tool).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2024Publication date: May 29, 2025Inventors: Zhiming HAN, Mingqi YAN, Michael HENKER
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Publication number: 20250074256Abstract: Described is an actuated valveless architecture system for regulating temperature in a vehicle having a battery system and a drive system. The actuated valveless architecture system includes a first screw pump, a second screw pump, and a plurality of check valves. The plurality of check valves is fluidically coupled with at least one of the first screw pump and the second screw pump. The plurality of check valves is configured to define a battery loop to regulate temperature of the battery system and a drivetrain loop to regulate temperature of the drive system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: Andrew Swantek, Peter Quade, Daniel Wenzel, Michael Henker, Eric Rask
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Patent number: 12146579Abstract: A fluid adjusting device includes a reservoir, at least two connection channels, at least two supply channels and at least one one-way valve, the reservoir is provided with a fluid storage cavity and at least two fluid outlets in communication with the fluid storage cavity, and the fluid storage cavity is configured to store a cooling fluid; the at least two connection channels can be connected to at least two circulation circuits respectively; the at least two fluid outlets are in communication with the at least two connection channels by means of the at least two supply channels respectively; and the at least one one-way valve is arranged in at least one of the at least two supply channels, and is configured to enable a fluid to flow from the reservoir to the corresponding connection channel in unidirectional manner. The fluid adjusting device can accurately control temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker
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Publication number: 20240200704Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-connector for connecting a plurality of fluid channel ports provided on at least one device to a plurality of to-be-connected channels. The multi-connector includes a plurality of connectors and a connecting frame. The plurality of connectors are configured for connecting the plurality of fluid channel ports to the plurality of to-be-connected channels. Each of the plurality of connectors has a device connecting port and a to-be-connected channel connecting port. The connecting frame is configured to support the plurality of connectors. The device connecting port of each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be connected to a respective one of the plurality of fluid channel ports on the at least one device. The to-be-connected channel connecting port of each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be connected to a respective one of the plurality of to-be-connected channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventor: Michael HENKER
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Patent number: 11708913Abstract: A valve includes a housing having a housing cavity and at least two housing openings. A valve body is rotatably provided in the housing cavity and includes a valve body top portion, a valve body bottom portion and a valve body sidewall. The valve body sidewall has an upper valve body sidewall and a lower valve body sidewall which are connected to each other. An outer surface of the upper valve body sidewall is a partial cylindrical surface, and an outer surface of the lower valve body sidewall is shaped to have a gradually decreasing diameter in a direction from top to bottom. A seal is provided on the valve body sidewall and the seal is configured to match with the housing to enable the valve body sidewall to close at least one of the housing openings.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Yue Ma, Ziteng Zheng, Michael Henker
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Publication number: 20230220844Abstract: A fluid adjusting device includes a reservoir, at least two connection channels, at least two supply channels and at least one one-way valve, the reservoir is provided with a fluid storage cavity and at least two fluid outlets in communication with the fluid storage cavity, and the fluid storage cavity is configured to store a cooling fluid; the at least two connection channels can be connected to at least two circulation circuits respectively; the at least two fluid outlets are in communication with the at least two connection channels by means of the at least two supply channels respectively; and the at least one one-way valve is arranged in at least one of the at least two supply channels, and is configured to enable a fluid to flow from the reservoir to the corresponding connection channel in unidirectional manner. The fluid adjusting device can accurately control temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Yue MA, Michael HENKER
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Patent number: 11578806Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a seal and a regulating valve having the seal. The seal is used for sealing a flow channel between a pipe orifice of a housing and a valve body in the regulating valve. The seal includes an elastic member and an embedded member. The elastic member is ring-shaped, the embedded member is at least partially embedded in the elastic member, and the hardness of the embedded member is greater than that of the elastic member. The seal of the present disclosure has a simple structure, which not only enables miniaturization of the structure of the regulating valve, but also can simplify assembly steps of the regulating valve, thus facilitating assembly automation of the regulating valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker, Ziteng Zheng
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Patent number: 11543040Abstract: This disclosure relates to a valve comprising a housing, an actuating shaft and a plurality of groups of valve body elements. The plurality of groups of valve body elements are disposed in the housing and capable of rotating in the housing. The actuating shaft is configured to selectively actuate at least one group of valve body elements in the plurality of groups of valve body elements to rotate. The valve is provided with a plurality of fluid passages therein, and the actuated at least one group of valve body elements can connect or disconnect at least one of the plurality of fluid passages. The valve provided by the present disclosure can control and switch more fluid passages when an output power of an actuating device is limited.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Michael Henker, Yue Ma
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Patent number: 11396953Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a valve body, a seal member mounting groove, and a seal member which is inserted into the seal member mounting groove from an insertion opening. The seal member is configured to come into contact with the valve body and a housing sealing surface when the valve body closes the housing opening so as to enable the valve body to close a housing opening in a sealed manner. The seal member mounting groove further includes a seal member limiting structure. The seal member limiting structure is disposed on a groove wall. The seal member limiting structure is configured to restrict movement of the seal member toward the valve body relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker, Zhipeng Deng
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Patent number: 11236836Abstract: An actuating mechanism includes an actuating shaft, an actuated member, and an engaging and disengaging structure. The actuating shaft is configured to be rotatable. The actuated member can be actuated by the actuating shaft to rotate. The engaging and disengaging structure includes an actuating structure provided on the actuating shaft and an actuated structure provided on the actuated member. When the actuating structure engages with the actuated structure, the actuating structure can drive the actuated structure to rotate, such that the actuating shaft can drive the actuated member to rotate. Further, a set of actuating and actuated structures of the actuating mechanism can rotate and stop according to set angle requirements, such that a valve body can be actuated to connect and disconnect different fluid passages as required.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker, Ziteng Zheng, Sheng Feng
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Publication number: 20210332893Abstract: A valve includes a housing having a housing cavity and at least two housing openings. A valve body is rotatably provided in the housing cavity and includes a valve body top portion, a valve body bottom portion and a valve body sidewall. The valve body sidewall has an upper valve body sidewall and a lower valve body sidewall which are connected to each other. An outer surface of the upper valve body sidewall is a partial cylindrical surface, and an outer surface of the lower valve body sidewall is shaped to have a gradually decreasing diameter in a direction from top to bottom. A seal is provided on the valve body sidewall and the seal is configured to match with the housing to enable the valve body sidewall to close at least one of the housing openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Yue MA, Ziteng ZHENG, Michael HENKER
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Publication number: 20210254739Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a valve body, a seal member mounting groove, and a seal member which is inserted into the seal member mounting groove from an insertion opening. The seal member is configured to come into contact with the valve body and a housing sealing surface when the valve body closes the housing opening so as to enable the valve body to close a housing opening in a sealed manner. The seal member mounting groove further includes a seal member limiting structure. The seal member limiting structure is disposed on a groove wall. The seal member limiting structure is configured to restrict movement of the seal member toward the valve body relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Yue MA, Michael HENKER, Zhipeng DENG
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Patent number: 11085547Abstract: A regulating valve has a housing, a first valve body, a second valve body, a third valve body, a fourth valve body, and an actuating shaft. The housing has a first cavity and a second cavity. The first valve body is disposed in the first cavity. The second valve body is disposed in the first cavity, and the first valve body and the second valve body can rotate about a first axis X. The third valve body is disposed in the second cavity. The fourth valve body is disposed in the first cavity, and the third valve body and the fourth valve body can rotate about a second axis Y. The actuating shaft is rotatably disposed in the first cavity, and the actuating shaft can selectively drive one or more of the first valve body, the second valve body, the third valve body, and the fourth valve body to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker, Ziteng Zheng, Sheng Feng
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Publication number: 20210215258Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a seal and a regulating valve having the seal. The seal is used for sealing a flow channel between a pipe orifice of a housing and a valve body in the regulating valve. The seal includes an elastic member and an embedded member. The elastic member is ring-shaped, the embedded member is at least partially embedded in the elastic member, and the hardness of the embedded member is greater than that of the elastic member. The seal of the present disclosure has a simple structure, which not only enables miniaturization of the structure of the regulating valve, but also can simplify assembly steps of the regulating valve, thus facilitating assembly automation of the regulating valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Yue MA, Michael HENKER, Ziteng ZHENG
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Publication number: 20200256475Abstract: The present application discloses a valve comprising: a housing; at least one valve body disposed in the housing, the at least one valve body being rotatable in the housing; and at least one sealing element provided between the housing and the at least one valve body; at least one lifting structure configured to move the at least one sealing element upward and downward relative to the housing or the at least one valve body to adjust the relative distance between the at least one sealing element and the housing/the at least one valve body; wherein when the at least one valve body rotates, the at least one sealing element at least partially leaves the housing or the at least one valve body, so that the driving force required to rotate the valve body can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Michael HENKER, Yue MA
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Publication number: 20200256472Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a valve, comprising: a housing; at least one valve body disposed in the housing, and the at least one valve body being rotatable in the housing; and at least one sealing element provided between the housing and the at least one valve body, wherein the at least one sealing element is formed by integral molding. According to the present disclosure, the sealing element is molded on the valve body or the housing, thereby reducing the production cost while ensuring the leakproofness of the sealing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventor: Michael HENKER
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Publication number: 20200248824Abstract: An actuating mechanism includes an actuating shaft, an actuated member, and an engaging and disengaging structure. The actuating shaft is configured to be rotatable. The actuated member can be actuated by the actuating shaft to rotate. The engaging and disengaging structure includes an actuating structure provided on the actuating shaft and an actuated structure provided on the actuated member. When the actuating structure engages with the actuated structure, the actuating structure can drive the actuated structure to rotate, such that the actuating shaft can drive the actuated member to rotate. Further, a set of actuating and actuated structures of the actuating mechanism can rotate and stop according to set angle requirements, such that a valve body can be actuated to connect and disconnect different fluid passages as required.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Yue MA, Michael HENKER, Ziteng ZHENG, Sheng FENG