Patents Issued in November 15, 2016
  • Patent number: 9494215
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy guiding chain, with chain links (1, 2) each comprising two side straps (3, 4). The side straps (3, 4) form opposite strap strands transversely to their longitudinal direction, where at least some of the opposite side straps (3, 4) are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), the ends of at least some of which display a bearing area (7) with an essentially cylindrical journal (10), extending in the longitudinal direction, for pivotable mounting in a bearing seat (8) on an associated side strap (3, 4). To improve the angular stability of the side straps when the cross-member is opened, it is proposed that the journal (10) display a first flattened section (12) on its lateral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 9494216
    Abstract: A bicycle chain connecting link comprises a link pin and a link plate. The link pin has a center axis. The link plate comprises an elongated opening, a guiding portion, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The elongated opening comprises an insertion opening and an attachment opening connected with the insertion opening. The guiding portion is configured to engage with the groove of the link pin to guide the link pin between the insertion opening and the attachment opening. The first protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of a head portion of the link pin. The second protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the link pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9494217
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear set assemblies, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear set assemblies include first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9494218
    Abstract: In a power plant, the rotational speeds of four rotary elements, formed by a rotatable carrier that rotatably supports first and second pinion gears which are in mesh with each other, first and second gears which are in mesh with one of the two pinion gears, and a third gear, which is in mesh with the other of the two pinion gears, satisfy a collinear relationship in which the rotational speeds are aligned in a single straight line in a collinear chart. The first and second outer rotary elements, which are positioned at opposite outer sides of the straight line in the collinear chart, respectively, are connected to first and second energy input/output units, respectively. First and second quasi-outer rotary elements positioned adjacent to the first and second outer rotary elements, respectively, are connected to one and the other of two driven parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 9494219
    Abstract: Tables having nuts are easily assembled and/or replaced on a lead screw from an open side thereof. The lead screw has a large screw near a motor and a small screw remote from the motor. A right-handed screw mating with one of the nuts and a left-handed screw mating with the other of the nuts lie adjacent to each other in the lengthwise direction. A stepped portion of flange coming into an inner ring of a bearing is placed on an end shaft in adjacency to the large screw. The pair of the tables after energization of the motor is controlled to come to a preselected phase in which the tables get closer or nearer each other or come to another preselected phase in which the tables go away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 9494220
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a torque converter having a turbine and an impeller includes a drive member, a first clutch member, and a second clutch member. The drive member is configured to rotate in unison with an output shaft of a prime mover. The first clutch member is associated with the impeller and disposed in selective engagement with the drive member. The first clutch member is configured to allow rotation of the impeller and cause torque multiplication to occur in the torque converter upon engagement with the drive member. The second clutch member is associated with the turbine and disposed in selective engagement with the drive member. The second clutch member is configured to allow rotation of the output shaft of the prime mover and the turbine in unison upon engagement with the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Allen Gibbs
  • Patent number: 9494221
    Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller shell and a backing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber, a cover and a piston plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber, and a third hydraulic chamber. The third chamber is sealed from the first and second hydraulic chambers such that a hydraulic flow between the third chamber and the other chambers is at least restricted. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a turbine, a stator, and an impeller disposed within the first hydraulic chamber, and a lockup clutch including a piston plate. The first chamber is for being pressurized to prevent cavitation in the turbine, stator, or impeller, the second or third chamber is for being pressurized to engage the lockup clutch, and the other of the second or third chamber is for being de-pressurized to reduce a back pressure on the lockup clutch piston plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, David Avins
  • Patent number: 9494222
    Abstract: A hydrostatic driveline is provided. The hydrostatic driveline comprises a power source, a hydrostatic pump, a hydrostatic motor, a direct drive link, and a transmission portion. The power source is drivingly engaged with an input member. The hydrostatic pump is in driving engagement with the input member. The hydrostatic motor is in fluid communication with the hydrostatic pump. The direct drive link is in driving engagement with the input member. The transmission portion is in driving engagement with a vehicle output and at least one of the hydrostatic motor and the direct drive link The transmission portion includes at least one engagement device and a drive ratio. The hydrostatic pump, the hydrostatic motor, and the transmission portion form a first power path for the hydrostatic driveline and the direct drive link forms a second power path for the hydrostatic driveline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Luca Gilardino, Giulio Ornella, Nicola Tessaro, Ettore Cosoli
  • Patent number: 9494223
    Abstract: A harmonic drive apparatus (also known as a strain wave gear) is constructed with a circular, flexible spline disc having a slightly conical configuration. The flexible saline disc has opposite convex and concave surfaces with a plurality of radial, flexible gear teeth arranged circumferentially on the convex surface. The flexible spline disc enables the harmonic drive apparatus to provide a thinner or more compact packing when needed for unique space requirements of a speed reduction transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Max Neal Jensen
  • Patent number: 9494224
    Abstract: A circular wave drive system, and a method for use of a circular wave drive, are provided. In one embodiment, a circular wave drive is provided, the circular wave drive comprising: a substantially enclosed housing having a chamber therein, a ring-shaped wheel residing in the chamber, a wave generator having a wheel-driving portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel; and an output element having a wheel-driven portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel opposite the wheel-driving portion of the wave generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventor: Yuan F. Zheng
  • Patent number: 9494225
    Abstract: A driven gear includes a radially outwardly extending flange. The radially outwardly extending flange extends along an axial distance defined along a center axis of the flange. The flange merges into a generally conical portion which, in turn, extends radially inwardly to a hub. The hub extends to a remote end. A first distance defined between the remote end of the hub and an end of the flange faces the remote end. A second distance is defined between ends of the flange, with gear teeth formed at an outer periphery. A ratio of the first distance to the second distance is between 2.54 and 2.82. An oil pump, a rotating portion for an electrical generator, and a generator are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Brust, Ted A. Martin, Brady A. Manogue
  • Patent number: 9494226
    Abstract: Disclosed are a pulley structure and a damper pulley that prevent corrosion. The pulley structure may include a hub part that is fitted on a crankshaft rotated by power from an engine and rotates with the crankshaft and a pulley part coupled with the hub part to rotate with the hub part and connected with a power transmission member. The hub part may include a pulley contact surface facing the pulley part, and pulley coupling portions formed at the pulley contact surface to secure coupling members. The pulley part may include a hub contact surface facing the pulley contact surface of the hub part, hub coupling portions coupled to the pulley coupling portions by securing the coupling members, and coupling grooves recessed from the hub coupling portions to insert the coupling members. Washers made of an insulator may be fitted on the coupling members between the pulley coupling portions and the hub coupling portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HALLA VISTEON CLIMATE CONTROL CORP.
    Inventors: Yong Woong Cha, Byeong Jun Lee, Man Hee Park, Jungha Park, Sung Taeg Oh, Suk Jae Chung
  • Patent number: 9494227
    Abstract: A power take-off that significantly reduces the amount of undesirable noise that is transmitted therethrough during operation includes a housing, an input mechanism, and an output mechanism. The input mechanism is disposed within the housing and is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy. The output mechanism is also disposed within the housing and is adapted to be connected to a driven device. The output mechanism is adapted to be rotatably driven by the input mechanism. At least one of the input mechanism and the output mechanism includes a shaft having at least one portion that is supported on the housing by a vibration damping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert McPherson, Greg Friend, John William Burrell
  • Patent number: 9494228
    Abstract: A shifter assembly (20) for a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a shaft (36) defining a longitudinal axis (LA) and having a knob (42) mounted to a first end (38) of the shaft. A selector plate (46) is mounted to a second end (40) of the shaft. The selector plate is movable as a unit with the shaft. The shifter assembly includes a guide plate (54) coupled to the housing (24). The guide plate defines a first path (56) and a second path (58) spaced from the first path. A portion (52) of the selector plate is movable through the first path during an automatic mode for facilitating automatic selection of the gear positions within the transmission. The selector plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the portion of the selector plate is movable through the second path for permitting manual selection of gear positions within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Bengt Hermansson
  • Patent number: 9494229
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a main modulation control scheme which relies in part on the use of a VBS solenoid and the multiplexing of that solenoid. The hydraulic system is associated with a hybrid module and by controlling the main pressure at a reduced level, the fuel economy and reliability of that hybrid module are improved. The system pressure is controlled by the multiplexed VBS solenoid in order to maintain adequate clutch pressure based on torque requirements. The overall system cost is reduced by the multiplexing of valves and solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Charles T. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9494230
    Abstract: An electronic control unit that is used in an automatic transmission to regulate oil circulation. The electronic control unit includes a switcher that supplies an electric current to a linear solenoid, a current detector that detects an actual electric current value of the solenoid, a target current calculator that calculates a target electric current value, a feedback controller that sets a duty ratio to match the actual electric current value to the target electric current value and to generate a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal having the set duty ratio, and a corrector that determines whether a coupled oscillation has occurred by obtaining oil pressure information of the hydraulic circuit and to correct the PWM signal when determining that the vibration has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Mizuno, Fuminori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9494231
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission may include a low-pressure oil pump generating low hydraulic pressure while being driven by an engine to exhaust the low hydraulic pressure to a first low-pressure channel, a high-pressure oil pump raising a portion of the hydraulic pressure in the first low-pressure channel to a high pressure while being driven by an electric motor to exhaust the hydraulic pressure to a first high-pressure channel, a low-pressure regulator valve controlling the hydraulic pressure while exhausting a portion of the hydraulic pressure to supply the controlled hydraulic pressure to a low-pressure part through a second low-pressure channel, and a high-pressure regulator valve controlling the hydraulic pressure while re-circulating a portion of the hydraulic pressure to the low-pressure part through single or two re-circulation channels according to the pressure to supply the controlled hydraulic pressure to a high-pressure part through the second high-pressure channe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyunjun Son, Sehwan Jo
  • Patent number: 9494232
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 9494233
    Abstract: The invention provides a low tension piston ring having a finished outer diameter and negligible tangential tension. The method includes the steps of machining a stock bar to an initial outer diameter slightly greater than the finished outer diameter of the piston ring, finishing the initial outer diameter of the stock bar to a rounded profile having a nominal diameter equal to the finished outer diameter, and machining the stock bar to the preferred cross-section. Dykes-type piston rings can have keystone or semi-keystone shaped cross-sections. The method continues by detaching the piston ring from the stock bar using a parting tool in response to completing all tension inducing operations including the steps recited above. The method continues with the steps of lapping the piston ring to a final longitudinal thickness and cutting the piston ring longitudinally to form a final gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Salenbien, Miguel Azevedo, Matthew Belford
  • Patent number: 9494234
    Abstract: In a hole plug, shaft bearing portions that axially support a shaft section of a flap valve are formed to an upper portion of an upright wall portion of a panel configuring a housing. The shaft bearing portions are positioned above a groove portion of an engagement section that acts as a contact portion with an opening hole of a floor panel, and are positioned above a lower end edge of a resilient engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: NIFCO, INC., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naofumi Yagame, Hiroaki Haijima
  • Patent number: 9494235
    Abstract: An elastic seal for a building joint which includes internal walls or dividers which change orientation when the seal is compressed for placement into the building joint. The change in orientation allow for the seal to apply a relatively uniform force against the joint walls extending from the bottom wall to the top wall of the seal. Additionally, the change in orientation reduces the deflection of the top wall of the seal upwardly when compressed in the building joint. The walls also become more vertically oriented when the seal in compressed. This vertical orientation provides increased load support for the top wall when the seal is compressed into a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: InPro Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Winslow, G. Matthew Fisher, David R. Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 9494236
    Abstract: A gasket is provided with two dissimilar materials. The two different materials are used to provide different sealing characteristics. In one embodiment, the different sealing materials join to create the same or a similar profile to the profile of the individual materials. In another embodiment, the different sealing materials have the same profile but have joining portions that are complementary to one another where the two materials are joined to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Cook, Kelly D. Puckett, Dakota W. Foster, Jason D. Wimberley, Justin R. Knott, James W. Hodges
  • Patent number: 9494237
    Abstract: A live-loading assembly for exerting a sealing force on a compressible packing structure of a fluid handling device, such as a valve or pump, includes a pair of gland bolts each movably extending through opposite end lids of a tubular cartridge and through a Belleville spring stack disposed within the cartridge and bearing on a tubular piston rod having an end portion extending outwardly through one of the lids and having a spring force indicating scale disposed thereon. When packing force adjustment nuts are tightened onto the bolts, to increase the compression force exerted on the packing structures, one of the lids on each cartridge moves along the associated exposed piston rod scale to thereby provide a visual indication of the amount of spring force being created by each tightened nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Teadit N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Carlos Veiga, Carlos Daniel Braga Girao Barroso
  • Patent number: 9494238
    Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a stuffing box is formed from a resiliently deformable material. It features a base and a plurality of elongate finger elements. The finger elements are supported about the periphery of the base, and define outer boundaries of a hollow interior region. Each finger element supports an externally projecting lip. In the relaxed position of the apparatus, the lips project outside the cross-sectional profile of the base. In a compressed configuration, the lips are fully contained within the base's cross-sectional profile. When the apparatus is inserted into a stuffing box loaded with coaxially aligned annular packing elements, it assumes a compressed configuration until the lips clear the lowermost packing element to be removed. The apparatus then assumes a relaxed position with the lips engaging the underside of the lowermost packing element. The apparatus and the engaged packing elements are then withdrawn from the stuffing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Iron Horse Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin K. Villines
  • Patent number: 9494239
    Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially separated sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are formed on either of the sealing faces of a stationary ring or rotating ring so as to communicate with a sealed fluid-containing space; pumping areas for generating a pumping action due to the sliding of the stationary ring and the rotating ring in relative rotation are formed on the bottom of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks; the pumping areas formed on the bottom of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are provided with intake pumping areas operating in a direction so as to draw in the sealed fluid and outflow pumping areas operating in a direction so as to expel the sealed fluid; and a plurality of dimples are disposed on a seal dam area on a side of the sealing face on which the sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are formed, the seal dam area being on the opposite side of the sealing face relative to the sealed-fluid side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hosoe, Hideyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9494240
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser for fluids including: a housing having at least an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a further opening connected or connectable to a fluid displacement mechanism, and a valve member including two parts translatably disposed within the housing, a first part for closing and opening the inlet and a second part for opening and closing the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Fast & Fluid Management B.V.
    Inventor: Marcus Johannes Voskuil
  • Patent number: 9494241
    Abstract: In a body, a first passage (6) houses a first piston (8) which is able to be selectively driven by the excess gas flow towards a blocking position and seal. The valve body has a second through-cut (17) intersecting the seal seat (7) of the first frustoconical piston (8). Within this second cut sits a second piston (21), pressing the end (20) thereof down against the end (9) of the protrusion of the first piston seal seat. This second piston (21) is capable of moving the second piston in interference with the end (9) upstream of the first piston seal eliminating the relationship with said seal seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Jorge Ismael Mustafá
  • Patent number: 9494242
    Abstract: A connecting structure includes housing, a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a sealing member, and an elastic member. A stepped hole is defined on the housing, and includes a first vent, a second vent, and a third vent communicating with each other. A diameter of the second vent is gradually decreased from the first vent toward the third vent, thereby forming a resisting surface on a periphery of the second vent. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are mounted on opposite ends of the housing. The sealing member includes a sealing portion with an exhaust opening. The sealing member is received in the first and second vents, and resisting against the first fixing member. The exhaust opening communicates with the first and second vents. The elastic member is received in the third vent, and resisting between the second fixing member and the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: She Xiong, Bing Li
  • Patent number: 9494243
    Abstract: A control valve actuator assembly having internally configured pressure transducers and associated pressure channels internally integrated within the yoke of the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Profire Energy, Inc
    Inventors: Mark R. Loveless, Melvin Hal Parks, Justin W. Hatch
  • Patent number: 9494244
    Abstract: A cartridge valve comprises an operator section for operating a valve, and a cartridge section with the valve. The operator section includes a first body and two pistons on a common shaft. The cartridge section includes a second body with valve seat, a cartridge insert having a protruding portion with annular ring, and a valve poppet operably engaging the valve seat. Two retainer screws engage the annular ring to hold the first and second bodies longitudinally together but permit rotation. The piston shaft defines a gap to the valve poppet when in a home position so that the shaft and piston initially gain momentum before abutting the valve poppet. The cartridge insert can be removed from the second body to allow replacement of a poppet seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: G. P. Reeves, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Reeves
  • Patent number: 9494245
    Abstract: An over-molded valve stem for a valve assembly includes a rigid inner member and a unitary elastic cover molded over the inner member. The inner member includes a main section and an arm extending from the main section. The cover includes a main cover portion, an arm cover portion, and an end portion, with the end portion being spaced from the main cover portion by the arm cover portion. The main cover portion is disposed over the main section with the end portion and main cover portion defining diameters that are larger than the diameter of the arm cover portion. The end portion can include an integral seal member for engaging with a bore of the valve assembly. A method of making the valve stem involves molding the cover about the inner member such that a parting line doe not axially extend across sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Humphrey Products Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Tinholt
  • Patent number: 9494246
    Abstract: Examples are provided that describe a linear hydraulic valve. In one example a linear valve comprises a sleeve with a plurality of ports spaced apart from each other at a distance. The plurality of ports are associated with a plurality of pressurized fluids. A spool comprising a plurality of openings that correspond to the plurality of ports is provided within the sleeve. The plurality of openings are spaced apart in a manner that enables alignment of a given opening of the plurality of openings to a given port of the plurality of ports based on a given position of the spool within the sleeve. The linear valve comprises an actuator for moving the spool in a forward or reverse linear motion along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The spool may be moved to a given position based on selection of a pressurized fluid of the plurality of pressurized fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Potter, Haink Tu
  • Patent number: 9494247
    Abstract: A solenoid section of a solenoid three-way valve includes a yoke attached to a valve housing and formed from a bottomed cylindrical main yoke and an auxiliary yoke closing an open end of the main yoke, a coil assembly inside the yoke, a fixed core slidably fitted into a hollow portion of a bobbin and abutted against a ceiling wall of the main yoke, a movable core facing the fixed core and passing through the auxiliary yoke, and a coil spring compressed between the cores. The fixed core is abutted against the wall by a predetermined spring load and by electromagnetic attraction force between the core and wall based on coil energization. A valve rod is slidably supported in a housing hole, having one end separably abutted against an outer end of the movable core and an opposite end abutted against a valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Oikawa, Kentarou Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9494248
    Abstract: An electrically actuated valve includes a first working way and a second working way and a poppet configured for providing a seal on a valve seat set hydraulically between the first working way and the second working way. The poppet includes a first operating position, a second operating position, and a third operating position, and is displaceable by an electrical-actuation device In the first operating position, a passage area for a hydraulic fluid defined between said valve seat and said poppet has a maximum value In the second operating position, the passage area is partialized and has a value lower than said maximum value In the third operating position, the poppet is in contact with the valve seat, and the passage area has a substantially zero value, so that the first working way is isolated from the second working way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Domenico Lepore
  • Patent number: 9494249
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve cover, the valve cover having a solenoid attachment portion, an orifice bore defined in the solenoid attachment portion, and a valve cover mechanical stop, the solenoid attachment portion having a solenoid attachment sink; and a solenoid, the solenoid having a solenoid body, a valve cover attachment portion, and a plunger, the plunger having an open position and a closed position, the plunger including an interface portion, the solenoid body including a solenoid mechanical stop, the solenoid mechanical stop engagable with the valve cover mechanical stop to space the interface portion of the plunger away from the orifice bore when the plunger is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy McCraven
  • Patent number: 9494250
    Abstract: Valves include a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a body cavity between the inlet and the outlet; a gate movably coupled to the valve body and moveable over a portion of the valve body at least partially between the inlet and the outlet, the gate including a cam stop; and a drive assembly, the drive assembly including a pair of drive lines, each drive line having a drive shaft, a first drive line of the pair of drive lines including a sync cam, the sync cam of the first drive line movably positioned on the drive shaft of the first drive line and positioned relative to the cam stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Smick
  • Patent number: 9494251
    Abstract: A two-way valve with secure structure for dispensing a large bottle of carbonated beverage into a vial comprises a valve body, valve spool, handle and bottle seal ring. The valve body has an inlet with an inner thread which matches an external thread of the large bottle and has an outlet with an inner thread which matches an external thread of the vials. The secure structure is an axial annular groove recessed axially into bottoms of the inner threads of the inlet and outlet of the valve body, one side of the axial recessed annular groove is the inner thread which extends to a bottom of the groove and other side is a groove wall, The bottle secure seal ring is deposited in the annular groove. Since the depth of the axial annular groove is greater than a thickness of the bottle seal ring, the outgoing pressure gas cannot reach the bottle seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Davy Zide Qian, Benyu Qian, Lequn Lu
  • Patent number: 9494252
    Abstract: A locking device is used for locking at least a piston associated with an operating element of a valve, a choke, a blowout preventer or some other unit used in the field of oil/natural gas drilling and/or oil/natural gas production. The locking device comprises a sleeve, which is axially displaceable relative to the piston and which is threadedly engaged with a rotatably supported rod for displacement in an axial direction. The rod is drivingly connected to a motor. In order to be able to determine, by means of simple structural measures, the position of the piston for each of its positions in a sufficiently precise and reproducible manner, the locking device is provided with a position sensor, which extends from a fixed point through a longitudinal bore of the lock rod up to the hydraulic piston and by means of which a distance between the piston and the fixed point can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 9494253
    Abstract: A flow control valve (1) for a refrigeration system is disclosed. The valve (1) comprises a valve port (14) having a substantially cylindrical inner circumference arranged to receive a protruding portion of a valve member (5). The valve member (5) comprises a protruding portion having a substantially cylindrical outer circumference corresponding to the inner circumference of the valve port (14), said protruding portion also having at least one fluted part (16), said at least one fluted part (16) defining fluid passage along the at least one fluted part (16) when the valve member (5) is in the open position. The valve member (5) is provided with at least one first fluid passage (6) extending through the valve member (5) between a second valve chamber (15) and a pressure balancing chamber (8), and at least one second fluid passage (7) establishing a fluid connection between a first valve chamber (12) and the first fluid passage (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Bjarke Skovgard Dam, Hans Kurt Petersen
  • Patent number: 9494254
    Abstract: A two-stage electro-magnetic valve maintains a pressing force applied onto a switch valve body from a press member after a lifting of an open-close valve body from a valve seat by an introduction of a pressure of a valve chamber. In such manner, the switch valve body need not be put in a pressure receiving state when the switch valve body is completely closed. In other words, it is not necessary for a pressure receiving diameter of the switch valve body to be smaller than a pressure receiving diameter of the open-close valve body. Such configuration increases design freedom of the pressure receiving diameter for the open-close valve body because it separates the diameter of the valve body from a diameter restriction of the switching valve body, which allows both valve bodies to have the same diameter, which maximizes the effect of a pressure cancel mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Onodera, Yuichiro Miura
  • Patent number: 9494255
    Abstract: A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface, a recessed region provided within the surface, a fluid port provided within the recessed region, and a sealing structure extending about the fluid port. A second plate defines a non-movable portion and a movable portion, a surface of the non-movable portion abutting the surface of the first plate, the non-movable portion having first and second openings formed therethrough. The movable portion is formed within the first opening and has an axis, the movable portion defining a displaceable member connected to the non-movable portion by a convoluted spring formed in a second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DunAn Microstaq, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Nelson Fuller, Parthiban Arunasalam, Chen Yang, Joe A. Ojeda, Sr., Gengxun K. Gurley
  • Patent number: 9494256
    Abstract: A system for recovering hose, including a hose receptacle having an open top portion for receiving a hose and attached hose couplings. The system further including a first device having a hose recovery means comprising an upper roller and a lower roller, at least one of the upper or lower rollers being powered, and a lifting arm operably coupled to the upper roller for moving the upper roller between a first position and a second position, the upper roller being closer to the lower roller when in the first position than when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Clinton D. Baker
  • Patent number: 9494257
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laying device (1) of the tensioner type for the controlled clamping and moving of an elongated body, intended to be carried by a laying tower. The laying device (1) includes an annular frame (10) including two mobile frame parts (101) that each include at least one guiding box (11) and that are assembled to an element (13) for the fastening of the laying device (1) to the tower (2), through a main pivot element (14). The main pivot element (14) defines a single main rotation axis (14?), around which the mobile frame parts (101) are rotationally operable between the closed/open configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: REEL
    Inventors: Karamoko Konate, Marc Huillery
  • Patent number: 9494258
    Abstract: A clip assembly is configured to securely connect a tubular member to a structure. The clip assembly may include a base connected to first and second lateral walls, and a tube cradle connected to the base and the lateral walls. The tube cradle defines a tube-receiving channel configured to receive the tubular member. First and second tube-retaining locking arms are configured to securely retain the tubular member within the tube-receiving channel. The first and second tube-retaining locking arms are configured to flex toward the first and second lateral walls, respectively, as the tubular member is inserted into the tube-receiving channel. The first and second tube-retaining locking arms securely connect to the first and second lateral walls, respectively, when the tubular member is received within the tube-receiving channel to securely retain the tubular member within the tube-receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Flynn
  • Patent number: 9494259
    Abstract: A disposable flow path having a manifold system that provides pressure resistance for the disposable device. The disposable device is comprised of a first rigid plastic sheet and a second rigid plastic sheet. Each sheet has two major surfaces and a thickness between them. At least one sheet surface has flow channels formed in it. The flow channels extend away from a first major surface and beyond the normal plane of a second major surface of the sheet. The sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces. When each sheet contains a flow channel, the flow channels are aligned and in register with each other. One or more fittings can be secured in the flow channel(s) at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. Alternatively, tubing is placed in the channels before the sheets are secured to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, Neil Schauer
  • Patent number: 9494260
    Abstract: Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Rong Luo, Joseph J. Grenci, Christopher McGrady, Xinyu Zhao
  • Patent number: 9494261
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a production tool and a pipe connected to the production tool. The pipe includes an inner pipe formed of a metal-free material, an outer pipe encircling the inner pipe, and an inlet connected to a channel between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The apparatus further includes a chemical supply system connected to the pipe. The chemical supply system is configured to supply a chemical through a channel encircled by the inner pipe to the production tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong-Shyan Pan, Yung-Long Chen, Heng-Yi Tzeng, Shao-Yen Ku, Chih-Chiang Tseng
  • Patent number: 9494262
    Abstract: A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition is described. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility and can be used to form one or more layers of single layer or multi-layer fuel lines. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Rong Luo, Xinyu Zhao, Joseph Grenci
  • Patent number: 9494263
    Abstract: The formation of a resin layer, a metal layer and an insulating resin layer on an outer surface of a corrugated metal pipe for flowing a fluid provides a flexible pipe, whose corrugated metal pipe does not suffer from having apertures even with spark discharge by induced lightning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Mohri, Minoru Fujiyoshi, Fumitaka Satoh, Tamaki Hamaguchi, Tomoyuki Minami
  • Patent number: 9494264
    Abstract: A cap for a cartridge having a bead at the distal end is disclosed. The cap comprises: a main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore that receives the cartridge, the main body further comprising a first segment and a second segment; and a retention feature on the main body suitable for snapping under the bead of the cartridge for securing the cap to the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Richard James Vincent Avery, Joseph Butler