Patents Issued in October 11, 2016
  • Patent number: 9464618
    Abstract: The invention relates to corona ignition device for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising an insulator, a center electrode, which plugs into the insulator and carries an ignition head having a plurality of ignition needles, and a housing, into which the insulator plugs. In accordance with the invention, the ignition needles and the center electrode plug into the ignition head. The invention also relates to a method for producing an ignition head for a corona ignition device, wherein a green compact of the ignition head is produced by injection molding of metal powder, and the green compact is sintered while ignition needles and/or a center electrode plug thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Stifel, Helmut Müller
  • Patent number: 9464619
    Abstract: The invention is a new turbine structure having a housing that rotates. The housing has a sidewall, and turbine blades are attached to a sidewall portion. The turbine may be completely open in the center, allowing space for solids and debris to be directed out of the turbine without jamming the spinning blades/sidewall. The turbine may be placed in a generator for generation of electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Louisiana Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Erez Allouche, Arun P. Jaganathan
  • Patent number: 9464620
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for extracting energy from surface waves in a body of water, for example, the sea. A wave energy device (1) for extracting energy from surface waves in a body of water includes an elongate and flexible tubular body (2) having an outer wall (4) and within the outer wall a channel (6) that extends along the length of the tubular body (2). The device is positioned in a body of water so that, in use, the elongate body (2) extends along the water surface (15) in the direction of surface waves with water contained within the channel being driven to form a series of bulge waves that travel along the length of the channel as the tubular body flexibly follows the movement of the waves. The device harnesses energy from the bulge waves for providing useful power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Checkmate Limited
    Inventor: Roderick Charles Tasman Rainey
  • Patent number: 9464621
    Abstract: A trillium wind turbine can have a plurality of blades. Together, the swept-back, complexly-curved blades can be attached to an electricity-generating nacelle. Each blade has a main blade, and a trailing edge blade, and can optionally have a diversion blade. Wind is directed down the length of the blade and exits the tip. The main blade resembles a portion of a cylinder in form, the cylinder being twisted to change the angle of attack, thereby adding more lift throughout the length of the blade. The trailing edge and diversion blades are pitched relative to the wind and produce lift. Additionally, wind hitting the diversion blade is diverted behind the blade. Because the surface area and volume of the blade are larger near the base and smaller at the tip, the air traveling along the blade increases in velocity producing more thrust/lift. The turbine also automatically faces into the wind without the need for sensors or positioning motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Reno Barban
  • Patent number: 9464622
    Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine having a rigid root insert is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a blade root section having an end face with a substantially annular cross-section defined by an outer sidewall surface and an inner sidewall surface. The end face is configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. The rotor blade assembly includes a radial bore hole provided a predetermined span-wise distance from the end face and extending between the sidewall surfaces and a longitudinal bore hole provided between the sidewall surfaces and extending from the end face to the radial bore hole. The rigid root insert is disposed within the longitudinal bore hole and extends from the end face to the radial bore hole. As such, the rigid root insert is configured to increase the stiffness of the blade root section when the rotor blade assembly is attached to the hub with bolts that extend into and through the radial bore hole and the longitudinal bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher Daniel Caruso
  • Patent number: 9464623
    Abstract: A fluid flow-powered generator and a method for using the same are described herein. The generator has a rotatable frame, with a first wing and a second wing. The first wing and second wing are pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted. A controller is also provided to direct adjustment of the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing in a coordinated manner while the fluid flow-powered generator is in use. In certain embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as an oscillating generator and in other embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as a rotating generator. The rotating generator can be arranged along a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. Additionally, certain horizontally oriented generators may be operated as either oscillating generators or rotating generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Western Michigan University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Tianshu Liu
  • Patent number: 9464624
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus and method comprises at least one gyroglider rotary wing flying at an altitude above the nap of the earth. A strong and flexible tether, connected to the gyroglider frame is pulled with a force generated by the rotary wing. The force is transmitted to a ground station that converts the comparatively linear motion of the tether being pulled upward with a lifting force. The linear motion is transferred to a rotary motion at the ground station to rotate an electrical generator. The tether is retrieved and re-coiled about a drum by controlling the gyroglider to fly down at a speed and lift force that permit recovery of the gyroglider at a substantially reduced amount of retrieval force compared to the lifting force during payout of the tether. Thus, the net difference in force results in a net gain of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Grant Howard Calverley
  • Patent number: 9464625
    Abstract: There is provided a wind power installation comprising a rotor to which rotor blades can be fitted, an electric generator having a generator stator and a generator rotor, and a plurality of displacement units. The first end of the displacement unit is fastened to the generator stator and the second end of the displacement unit is releasably fastened to the generator rotor. The displacement units each have a respective hydraulic cylinder, the deflection of which is controllable so that by actuation of the displacement unit the generator rotor is displaced relative to the generator stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventors: Albrecht Brenner, Frank Knoop, Matthias Ubben
  • Patent number: 9464626
    Abstract: A floating wind turbine (1) for electric power production and a method for use of the wind turbine (1) is described. The wind turbine (1) includes a hull (2) attached to a supporting column (2?) for a wind turbine (3) arranged to be put into rotation by wind force acting on rotor blades (3?). The wind turbine (1) is connected to a buoyancy device (4) by a coupling device (5). The buoyancy device (4) encircles at least a portion of the hull (2) and supports at least a portion of the mass of the wind turbine (1). The coupling device (5) is a rotary coupling arranged in such a way that the wind turbine (1) is able to rotate an angle from an essentially vertical position towards a horizontal position, or the opposite. The hull (2) is provided with an adjustable ballast (9, 12) arranged to balance the wind turbine (1) about the rotary coupling (5) in any position between the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Windel AS
    Inventor: Magne Tolo
  • Patent number: 9464627
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage container that stores hydrogen gas using a hydrogen storage material capable of storing hydrogen gas includes: a hollow liner that stores the hydrogen gas and includes a liner opening portion into which the hydrogen gas is introduced; a hollow sub-tank disposed inside the liner to house the hydrogen storage material; a heat exchange pipe which is disposed inside the sub-tank and through which a heat exchange medium passes; a sub-tank support portion that supports an end portion of the sub-tank relative to the liner opening portion and supports an end portion of the heat exchange pipe; and a heat exchange medium passage that is formed to penetrate the sub-tank support portion and leads the heat exchange medium to the heat exchange pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinari Nakamura, Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9464628
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump for pumping a fluid, including an inlet, an outlet, and a pumping chamber, wherein a valve is arranged between the inlet and the pumping chamber or between the pumping chamber and the outlet. The valve includes a valve body having a valve seat pointing in the direction of the outlet, and a valve member that interacts with the valve seat, wherein the valve member is loaded under pre-loading against the valve seat into a closed position of the valve and allows fluid to pass through in a pumping direction due to the valve member lifting off against the pre-load, wherein the valve body is accommodated in a receptacle of a pump part. A pump for which the development of noises and vibrations is reduced in that the valve body can move axially relative to the receptacle that accommodates the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas Magnete GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Mueller, Olaf Ohligschlaeger, Stefan Quast, Michael Feckler
  • Patent number: 9464629
    Abstract: A servo regulator that causes a servo piston to move on the basis of working fluid pressure in two pressure chambers includes: a sleeve that is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a case and has a supply port capable of supplying a working fluid from a fluid pressure source to one of the pressure chambers; a spool valve disposed in the sleeve so as to be biased by a biasing member; and a solenoid that is attached to the case in order to drive the spool valve via a plunger. The sleeve includes a pressure receiving portion on which a fluid pressure of the working fluid from the fluid pressure source is exerted, and is pressed against an end surface of the solenoid by a biasing force acting on the pressure receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kato, Susumu Narita, Tetsuya Iwanaji, Takeru Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9464630
    Abstract: A muffler for a positive displacement pneumatic motor includes a case, an inlet, a diffuser, a pathway, and sound absorbing material. The inlet and the diffuser are attached to the case. The pathway extends between the inlet and the diffuser and allows ice to travel through the muffler. The sound absorbing material is positioned in the pathway and includes more than one duct through which gas passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Adam K. Collins
  • Patent number: 9464631
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump for an internal combustion engine. The high-pressure fuel pump includes an improved configuration that beneficially simplifies certain features of the high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel pump possesses an inlet check valve positioned along an inlet fuel circuit and an outlet fuel circuit of the high-pressure pump that provides a path for a low-pressure inlet fuel flow to and a path for a high-pressure output fuel flow from a pumping chamber of the fuel pump. Because of the configuration of the inlet check valve and the outlet check valve, the complexity of high-pressure fuel pump is beneficially reduced, decreasing the cost of components and assembly and improving the life and reliability of high-pressure fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Shaull, Wesley R. Thayer
  • Patent number: 9464632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double-helical gear rotary positive displacement pump including a pump housing rotatably supporting at least a driving shaft and at least a driven shaft, at least a first toothing and a second toothing being associated to the driving shaft and at least a third toothing and a fourth toothing being associated to the driven shaft. The toothings have individually a helical profile that allows their mutual herringbone meshing. Three of toothings are rigidly connected to their respective shafts. The fourth toothing, or other suitable one, is idle on the shaft and axially constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SETTIMA MECCANICA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Antonio Morselli
  • Patent number: 9464633
    Abstract: A mechanical expelling mechanism for an axial pump system in a loop reactor includes straight or curved repelling vanes mounted to a vertical or tapered rear face of the impellor hub and a tapered wall provided in the adjacent seal housing. In combination, these elements exclude and eject process slurry, especially polymer solids, away from the seals and bearings, and thereby prevent damage to the seals and bearings, at least until a flow of flushing fluid can be restored. The repelling vanes further serve to circulate and exchange any process fluid and catalyst that remains in the space between the impellor and the seals, so that localized warming and run-away formation of polymer solids near the seals is avoided. The repelling vanes can be curved or straight. In embodiments, the repelling vanes reduce pump efficiency by less than 1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Jason Douglas Allaire
  • Patent number: 9464634
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating air-cooling of, for instance, one or more electronics racks within a data center. The apparatus includes an air-moving assembly and one or more flywheels. The air-moving assembly includes a shaft, one or more mechanical fans coupled to the shaft to rotate, at least in part, with the shaft, and a motor coupled to the shaft to rotatably drive the shaft. The flywheel(s) is sized and coupled to the shaft of the air-moving assembly to store rotational energy, and to facilitate, for a specified period of time, continued rotation of the shaft during interruption in power to the motor. In one implementation, the flywheel(s) is sized and coupled to the shaft to facilitate, for the specified time period, continued rotation of the shaft at a specified percentage, or greater, rotational speed of the shaft compared with shaft speed when rotatably driven by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milnes P. David, Michael J. Domitrovits, Joshua Murphy, John V. Palmer, Sal M. Rosato
  • Patent number: 9464635
    Abstract: A mechanical coolant pump for an internal combustion engine includes a pump rotor wheel comprising rotor blades configured to pump a coolant radially outward. A non-rotating ring of pump stator blades is configured to encircle the pump rotor wheel. At least one of the pump stator blades is a static blade. At least one of the pump stator blades is a pivotable blade configured to pivot about a pivot axis arranged within the pivotable blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Arnaud Fournier, Gilles Simon
  • Patent number: 9464636
    Abstract: A system for applying tension to a component for use in molten metal processing. Preferably, the component includes an outer core and at least one tension rod positioned partially within the outer core. The component is preferably elongated, such as a support post or an impeller shaft. The tension rod applies compression to the outer cover, which makes the outer cover more resistant to breakage if it strikes, or is stricken by, an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9464637
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly for a rotor of a turbine includes a bearing housing and a bearing cartridge. The bearing cartridge may include an outer shell and an inner shell arranged concentrically thereto. The outer and inner shell may be rotatably mounted on one another about a concentric axis of rotation in two bearing sections axially spaced from one another via rolling bodies. The inner shell may be arranged on a rotor shaft and in the region of the bearing sections includes an inner press fit region. The outer shell may be arranged in the bearing housing and have axially spaced from the bearing sections at least one outer press fit region. In the respective bearing sections an oil damping ring channel may be radially formed between the bearing housing and the outer shell. The oil damping ring channel may extend coaxially to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BOSCH MAHLE TURBO SYSTEMS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thanh-Hung Nguyen-Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9464638
    Abstract: An automotive cabin cooling system uses a bladeless turbocompressor driven by automobile engine exhaust to compress incoming ambient air. The compressed air is directed to an intercooler where it is cooled and then to another bladeless turbine used as an expander where the air cools as it expands and is directed to the cabin interior. Excess energy may be captured by an alternator couple to the expander turbine. The system employs no chemical refrigerant and may be further modified to include another intercooler on the output of the expander turbine to isolate the cooled cabin environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Juan Cepeda-Rizo, Gani B. Ganapathi
  • Patent number: 9464639
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a cooling structure may include a center housing on which a shaft is rotatably fitted, a turbine impeller disposed at one end of the shaft, a compressor impeller disposed at the other end of the shaft, a turbine housing fastened to the center housing and covering the turbine impeller such that an exhaust gas flows into the turbine impeller, a compressor housing fastened to the center housing and covering the compressor impeller such that an intake air flows into the compressor impeller, and a coil type heat exchanger formed in a rotational direction of the shaft and in a space between the center housing and the turbine impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-jin Yang, Seung Yeon Lee, Kwang Hwan Kim, Kyung-wook Jin, Ui yeon Park, Jun gwan Park, Gil-beom Lee, Kyung-jae Jung
  • Patent number: 9464640
    Abstract: A motor-pump unit includes an electric motor and a pump. The electric motor has a motor housing, on the outside of which a cooling channel is arranged. The pump has a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. Liquid to be pressurized can be fed by way of the cooling channel to the suction inlet. In order that the motor-pump unit can be produced and assembled more cost-effectively, the motor housing includes a first housing part and a second housing part, which are connectable to each other in a liquid-tight manner and between them form the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Nathan, Bernhard Gruber
  • Patent number: 9464641
    Abstract: An hydraulic transmission device (10,110) comprising an hydraulic motor (16, 18), an hydraulic pump (20), a fluid accumulator (22). The device has an accumulator-driven mode, an energy-recovery mode, a pump-driven mode. In the pump-driven mode, the pump supplies the motor with fluid drawn from an unpressurized reservoir; and in the energy-recovery mode, the motor is supplied by the pump drawing fluid from said reservoir. An assembly (1) comprising a device (10,110) as defined above, a shaft (11, 13), and a mass (12, 14) mounted eccentrically on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Jean Heren
  • Patent number: 9464642
    Abstract: A soft robotic device includes a flexible body having a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness is at least 1 mm, the flexible body having at least one channel disposed within the flexible body, the channel defined by upper, lower and side walls, wherein at least one wall is strain limiting; and a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the at least one channel positioned and arranged such that the wall opposite the strain limiting wall preferentially expands when the soft robotic device is pressurized through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Filip Ilievski, Xin Chen, Aaron D. Mazzeo, George M. Whitesides, Robert F. Shepherd, Ramses V. Martinez, Won Jae Choi, Sen W. Kwok, Stephen Morin, Adam Stokes, Zhihong Nie
  • Patent number: 9464643
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel helical dual-center engagement converting mechanism and its applications in fluid-powered actuation system, more particularly to a highly reliable, simple, powerful and balanced and less expensive helical rotary actuator. This actuator comprises a self-balanced linear/rotary dual-center engagement converter, compact porting systems and easy manufacturing modules and various bodies and shaft interface with other components. This actuator also provides a rotary position control and backlash eliminating mechanism to meet various requirements with lighter weight, smaller size and higher accuracy of position and can be interfaced with different machines, such as subsea valves, earthmoving equipment, construction equipment, lifting equipment, landing gears, militarily equipment and medical devices, robotic and artificial leg and arm joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Jianchao Shu
  • Patent number: 9464644
    Abstract: A four-chamber cylinder comprises a first piston device including a first piston and a first piston rod, the first piston delimiting a first chamber and a second chamber, a second piston device including a second piston and a second piston rod aligned with the first piston rod, the second piston delimiting a third chamber and a fourth chamber, and a compressive-elastic emergency element. The first piston, via the first chamber, and the second piston, via the fourth chamber, are configured to move towards each other and held with each other to tension the compressive-elastic emergency element. With the four-chamber cylinder according to the disclosure, an actuating movement is possible via the emergency spring even in the case of a supply failure, wherein the four-chamber cylinder can be installed and operated bi-directionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Schwacke
  • Patent number: 9464645
    Abstract: A hold open rod includes an inner tube assembly coupled to an outer tube assembly, the inner tube assembly movable within the outer tube assembly, a lock body coupled to the outer tube assembly, and an inner collar coupled to the lock body, the inner collar having a lock groove and unlock groove. The hold open rod further includes a locking dog configured to engage the unlock groove when the hold open rod is in an unlocked configuration and the locking dog further configured to engage the lock groove when the hold open rod is in a locked configuration, an unlocked indicator on a first region of the lock body, the unlocked indicator exposed when the hold open rod is in the unlocked configuration, and a first rod end coupled to the outer tube assembly and a second rod end coupled to the inner rod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MarathonNorco Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Dyer, Brian Star, Del Latham
  • Patent number: 9464646
    Abstract: A male inserter and a female receiver fixed to a toy bar and a child-support device for relative movement between upright locked and inclined unlocked positions. The male inserter includes a lock element and the female receiver includes a catch surface. In the upright unlocked position, the male inserter can pass through the female receiver. But in the inclined locked position, the lock element engages and locks against the catch surface. If a child in the child-support device pulls down and/or forward on the toy bar in the locked position, it does not move to the unlocked position. But an upward lifting force applied to the toy bar causes it to pivot from the locked position to the unlocked position and to then detach from the child-support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 9464647
    Abstract: A pillar garnish mounting structure includes a tether clip and a pillar garnish. The tether clip has a tether portion. The pillar garnish is attached to a pillar by the tether clip and has a tether housing portion. The tether housing portion has side walls that extend in a longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish. The tether portion has a connecting portion and an anchor portion. The connecting portion is inserted through a space between the side walls and extends in the longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish. The anchor portion is formed on a tip end of the connecting portion, and is positioned to an outside of the tether housing portion. The anchor portion catches on end surfaces of the side walls in the longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish, when the pillar garnish moves in a direction away from the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9464648
    Abstract: A device for securing curtain ends to walls preferably includes a curtain retention device and a magnet. The curtain retention device could be a curtain retention clip or a butterfly clutch pin. The curtain retention clip includes a spring-loaded clip and a decorative fascia. Alternatively, a clip magnet may be secured to a rear of the spring-loaded clip and used with a wall mounted ferrous wall plate. The butterfly clutch pin includes a decorative tack pin and a butterfly retention clutch. The magnet may be attached to a wall with any suitable method. If the curtain retention clip is used, the spring-loaded clip is secured to the curtain and the spring-loaded clip is secured to the magnet. If the butterfly clutch pin is used, a pin portion of the decorative tack pin is inserted through the curtain and into the butterfly retention clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventors: Arlene R. Smith, John C. Heglin
  • Patent number: 9464649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (10) for attachment of a component of a motor vehicle, in particular for attachment of a lining part (35) to a carrier (20), having a first holding part (12) and a second holding part (14), the first holding part (12) having at least one abutment (26) and the second holding part (14) having at least one detent hook (36), and having a locking bar (15) which can be moved between a release position, in which the detent hook (36) can move behind, and be released from, the abutment (26), and a locking position, in which the detent hook (36) is locked behind the abutment (26), the locking bar (15) automatically moving from the release position to the locking position. The invention further relates to a method of mounting and of dismounting said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ITW Fastener Products GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Demerath, Vitali Leidner
  • Patent number: 9464650
    Abstract: A fastening device for mounting on a tube includes: a tubular sleeve member adapted to be sleeved around the tube, defining a reception space to snugly receiving the tube and a notch for access into the reception space and having an inner wall surface defining the reception space and formed with a press element; and a fixing element mounted on the sleeve member at the notch such that tightening of the fixing element relative to the sleeve member results in pressing of the press element against the tube to deform the tube to possess an outwardly minor protrusion for abutting against the fixing element, which creates an inwardly dented minor recess on its outer wall surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Chien-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 9464651
    Abstract: A lower corner connector for a modular sports goal comprises a first tube having a generally circular inner surface and a second tube extending substantially perpendicularly to the first tube. The first tube has an open end for receiving an upright and a base opposite the open end for resting on a surface. A retainer projects inwardly from the inner surface of the first tube for engaging and retaining the upright and permitting the upright to rock toward and away from the second tube within the first tube to assist in absorbing impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Stewart
  • Patent number: 9464652
    Abstract: A fastening device includes at least one furniture fitting which is pre-assembled on the front panel and has a first connecting element and a second connecting element for fastening the front panel on the drawer and least two intercepting devices, which are assigned to the drawer, wherein the intercepting devices retain the connecting elements automatically when the latter are pushed in. The one intercepting device has at least one movable intercepting element and the second intercepting device has at least one movable retaining Element. At least one locking device for the two intercepting devices prevents the furniture fitting from being released unintentionally from the intercepting devices. At least one unlocking device the two connecting elements of the furniture fitting to be released together from the intercepting devices. The retaining element can be moved independently of the intercepting element of the first intercepting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Holzapfel, Benjamin Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9464653
    Abstract: A concrete wall anchor has a hollow elongated body, a plurality of ribs extending along the body, and a plurality of spreadable anchoring legs narrowing laterally and downwardly, such that the driving tool can drive the anchor in a concrete wall, and the spreading tool can spread the anchoring legs in the concrete wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THANOMSAK HONGTHONG
    Inventors: Thanomsak Hongthong, Seng Hongthong
  • Patent number: 9464654
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, and a passage extending between the first and second ends and including threads. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and having an enlarged head, a breaking groove, and a stop shoulder that is configured to cause an abrupt increase in resistance to threading the corebolt into the body when the breaking groove is substantially flush with an outer surface of the enlarged head. A grip compensator is disposed on the corebolt in abutment with the enlarged head of the corebolt. A deformable sleeve is movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt and disposed between the grip compensator and the tapered ramp of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9464655
    Abstract: A push-lock pin for connecting a plate to surface includes a cylindrical pin housing and a shaft within the housing. The shaft has a ball-lock mechanism and a push-down pop-up mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Peters
  • Patent number: 9464656
    Abstract: The self-drilling component includes a body with a cylindrical side wall, a self-drilling head at a first end of the body and a shank opening out at a second end. The self-drilling component includes a deformable area between the self-drilling head and the second end designed to form a flange when crimping is performed. The self-drilling head further includes a tip defined by three concurrent edges at least two of which are internal cutting edges, the tip enabling engagement of the self-drilling component, at least one external cutting edge placed at the end of the cylindrical side wall configured to cut the fibers of the composite material part, and a first surface parallel to and different from the axial plane containing the axis of rotation of the body, the first surface defining a first empty space in the self-drilling head to facilitate removal of the shavings when drilling is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BOLLHOFF OTALU S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Faguer, Frédéric Bovagnet, Patrick Lejars
  • Patent number: 9464657
    Abstract: A retainer can couple at least two components together and includes a retainer body defining a body opening and at least one leg extending from the retainer body. The leg can bend relative to the retainer body between a first position and a second position upon application of an external force. The leg includes a connection portion coupled to the retainer body, a support portion coupled to the connection portion, and a bendable portion interconnecting the connection portion and the support portion. The bendable portion can bend such that the leg can move relative to the retainer body between the first and second positions. When the leg is in the first position, the support portion is obliquely angled relative to the retainer body. When the leg is in the second position, the support portion is substantially parallel to the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Alpha Stamping Company
    Inventors: Diego Fernando Rosas Roman, Robert Stewart
  • Patent number: 9464658
    Abstract: A hybrid fastener is provided in combination with a structural insert. The insert is disposed about a shank of the fastener at an unthreaded section. In another aspect, a sleeve surrounds the shank of the fastener and has apertures for receiving the insert therethrough. Methods of using the above-described hybrid fastener for securing workpieces are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Gary L. Cloud
  • Patent number: 9464659
    Abstract: A tolerance equalizing element includes at least two support bodies (120, 122) which are in threaded engagement with one another such that the axial dimension of the tolerance equalizing element can be adjusted by relative rotation of the support bodies (120, 122), at least one of the support bodies (120, 122) including a helical spring which is wound from a wire having a rectangular cross-section, and the rectangle forming the cross-section of the wire is oriented such that its sides extend obliquely relative to the axis of the helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 9464660
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastener such as a nut for a bicycle has a smoothly rounded generally dome-shaped body and one or more recesses formed into the body. Each recess has a first and open ended portion which is bounded on radially inward side but not on the radially outward side, and a second and closed ended portion which is bounded on both the radially inward side and the radially outward side. Additionally, each recess can have an additional notch formed therein, the recess and notch together forming a major and minor recess. A wall which bounds the radially inward side of the recess decreases in radial distance from the central axis of the nut as the recess proceeds in the circumferential direction. A mating wrench has teeth that match the recesses and, if present, the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Revlock, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ahdoot, Amir Atighehchi, Owen Zheng, Huy Tran, Jazzmin Martinez
  • Patent number: 9464661
    Abstract: A pony rod comprises an outer sleeve and a pony rod cap which may be threaded into a threaded shank portion. The pony rod cap may have an outside configuration comprising one or more flat sides. The pony rods may comprise an integral part of crossheads such that pony rod shanks are fixed to the respective crossheads. The crossheads may comprise one or more wear bridges cooperatively coupled with one or more crosshead extension members. A connecting rod is adapted to receive a wear plate such that the wear plate is removably coupled to the connecting rod. A reciprocating pump comprises a multi-piece pony rod assembly. A method of repairing a pump is provided, in which a modified pony rod comprising an outer sleeve is provided and a modified crosshead comprising one or more wear bridges is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: W. H. Barnett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9464662
    Abstract: A ball joint unit is provided and can include a ball member, a plurality of lubricant reception recesses formed on a surface of the ball member, each having a predetermined depth, a rod member connected to a first element to be integrally formed with the ball member, and a retainer connected to a second element and formed with a spherical ball member receptor corresponding in shape to the ball member, wherein the lubricant is accommodated and coated in an interior of the lubricant recesses and a surface of the ball member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suhyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 9464663
    Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Ryan Mark Belleau, Mike Holierhoek
  • Patent number: 9464664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypropylene which has—a melt flow rate MFR(230° C., 2.16 kg) of at least 13 g/10 min,—an amount of xylene solubles XS of 6.0 wt % or less, and—a crystalline fraction, wherein at least 10% of the crystalline fraction melts the temperature range of from 160 to 170° C., as determined by the stepwise isothermal segregation technique (SIST).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Saeid Kheirandish, Petar Doshev, Michael Reisecker, David Friel, Sybille Simon
  • Patent number: 9464665
    Abstract: A swivel attachment and/or branch line restraint device with angular versatility and mobility for facilitating connection of installation components to support a pipe or other load relative to a support surface is provided. Advantageously, embodiments of the device provide a plurality of rotational or swivel degrees of freedom, which are substantially independently controllable, for its mating portions, which respectively engage corresponding mating portions of other installation components. The device embodiments can desirably be configured in male-female, male-male or female-female arrangements to enhance device utility and/or versatility, thereby advantageously allowing for use in a myriad of applications and installations, such as construction, utilities and the like, among others, to reliably support loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper B-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 9464666
    Abstract: A bushing for the force-fitting connection to a force-fitting partner, with a hollow-cylindrical basic body, with the basic body defining a primary axis, with the basic body comprising at least one coupling section with at least one radially extending penetrating opening for a fluidic communication with a fluid section in the force-fitting partner, and with the wall thickness in the coupling section being greater than the wall thickness in the neighboring section of the basic body abutting the coupling section with the basic body showing a track section, extending in the circumferential direction, for supporting a radial guidance of a bearing partner, and a transmission arrangement comprising the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ziegler, Frank Beeck, Frank Schoenstein
  • Patent number: 9464667
    Abstract: Stray magnetic fields created by non-symmetrical magnetisation of the permanent magnets in a rotating magnet array of a magnetic bearing assembly, when used in turbo molecular pumps, can cause significant problems to devices such as scanning electron microscopes. In order to minimise the stray fields, at least the dipole and quadrupole moments of each magnet in the array is first measured. The magnets in the array are then arranged relative to one another such that both the dipole and quadrupole moments are minimised, thus minimising the stray magnetic field when the magnet array rotates in the turbomolecular pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Barrie Dudley Brewster, Andrew Waye