Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9599203
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, a first power delivery shaft disposed in parallel with and apart from the input shaft, a variable shift apparatus configured to change rotation speed of the input shaft and transmit the changed rotation speed to the first power delivery shaft, a second power delivery shaft selectively receiving torque of the first power delivery shaft, a third power delivery shaft disposed apart from the second power delivery shaft, a planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements, and an idle gear set operably connecting the input shaft with the first rotation element of the planetary gear set in which the second rotation element is directly connected to the third power delivery shaft and the third rotation element is directly connected to the second power delivery shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Taeseok Seo, Seongeun Yun, Jinhaeng Lee
  • Patent number: 9599204
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner, with smaller and even less mechanical components, by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A power transmission apparatus comprises a power input shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the power input shaft, and a variator, such as a continuously variable transmission (CVT), coupled to the gear set. The various components of the planetary gear set and the variator are arranged such that torque is split between two or more torque paths and then recombined before power is output to a gear box and a differential of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 9599205
    Abstract: A torque converter for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The torque converter includes a damper including a first cover plate and a drive flange; and a stator assembly. The first cover plate is sealingly rotatable with respect to the stator assembly at a sealed interface and the first cover plate and the drive flange form a fluid flow gap therebetween. Fluid flows through the fluid flow gap during operation of the torque converter. The sealed interface prevents the fluid from flowing therethrough. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 9599206
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque coupling device with lockup clutch is provided that includes an impeller, an axially displaceable turbine-piston, and a stop feature. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell and a turbine-piston flange. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller to move an engagement surface region of the turbine-piston towards and away from an engagement surface region of the impeller for positioning the torque converter respectively into and out of a lockup mode. When the turbine-piston is out of the lockup mode, a fluid passageway connecting a torus chamber to a damper chamber extends between the engagement surface regions and between flow restriction surface regions of the turbine-piston and impeller. At a maximum axial displacement position out of lockup mode, a gap between the engagement surface regions is greater than a gap between the flow restriction surface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9599207
    Abstract: A power transmitting device for a vehicle having a power plant and a drivetrain is provided. The power transmitting device includes an output shaft that provides torque to the drivetrain and a manual transmission selectable between a first gear set having a first gear ratio and a second gear set having a second gear ratio that transmits power to the output shaft at different rotational speeds. The power transmitting device also includes a hydraulic torque converter that multiplies torque. Torque is multiplied through the torque converter and is transmitted to the output shaft from the torque converter when the first gear set is selected and is not multiplied through the torque converter when the second gear set is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AVL POWER TRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Mordukhovich
  • Patent number: 9599208
    Abstract: A chainring includes a first section having consecutive first teeth. Each of the first teeth includes a first load flank surface having a first wear resistance. The chainring also includes a second section coupled to the first section. The second section includes consecutive second teeth. Each of the second teeth includes a second load flank surface having a second wear resistance greater than the first wear resistance. The consecutive second teeth span an arc length corresponding to between one twelfth and one third of a circumference of a pitch circle of the chainring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Medaglia, Joseph Wilson
  • Patent number: 9599209
    Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers having a hub integral with a pulley body for rotation therewith and at least an annular first elastomeric member seated on the pulley body between the outer belt engaging surface and the hub and held thereagainst for rotation therewith by a first inertia ring connected to the pulley body are disclosed. The torsional vibration dampers may also include an annular second elastomeric member seated on the pulley body, on a side opposite the annular first elastomeric member, between the outer belt engaging surface and the hub and held thereagainst for rotation therewith by a second inertia ring connected to the pulley body or seated on the first inertia member, on a side opposite the first elastomeric member, between the first inertia member and a front end cap, where the front end cap compresses the second elastomeric member against the first inertia member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 9599210
    Abstract: A component of a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a surface configured to contact another component of the rotary wing aircraft such that the surface is susceptible to corrosion and/or pitting. The surface has an area from which a portion of material was removed. A structural deposit is formed by cold spraying one or more layers of powdered material within the area. The structural deposit is configured to carry a load applied to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric K. Hansen, James Sullivan, Anthony G. Chory, JinKyu Choi, Michael R. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9599211
    Abstract: In a transmission, an inner end portion in a radial direction of a washer abuts on an inner race of a first bearing, and a seal surface provided on an outer end in the radial direction of the washer abuts on an outer race of a second bearing. Therefore, load in an axial direction which acts on a second gear can be supported with a second rotary shaft via the outer race of the second bearing, the washer and the inner race of the first bearing. Additionally, on a side surface at the second bearing side, of the washer, a lubricating oil guide surface is formed, that guides lubricating oil which is supplied from an inside of a second rotary shaft, to a one-way clutch through the second bearing, and therefore, a lubricating effect can be enhanced by efficiently supplying the oil to the second bearing and the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kumagai, Takeshi Uchino, Shin Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 9599212
    Abstract: A fluid system includes an emergency subsystem and a main subsystem in fluid communication with a working element. The main subsystem is in fluid communication with the emergency subsystem. The system operates in a standard mode and an emergency mode. During standard mode, both the main and emergency subsystems jointly provide fluid to the working element. During emergency mode, the emergency subsystem is configured for independently providing fluid to the working element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Poster
  • Patent number: 9599213
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a manual transmission includes a hollow shift lever having a shift knob provided thereon. A noise and vibration damper includes a hollow housing that is connected to the hollow shift lever, and a damper assembly is provided within the hollow housing of the noise and vibration damper. The damper assembly is adapted to be connected to a control member of a manually operable transmission. A line extends from the shift knob provided on the hollow shift lever and through the interior of the hollow shift lever. The line is adapted to control the operation of the manually operable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TREMEC Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas P. Armitage, Michael A. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9599214
    Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a first mode valve assembly in fluid communication downstream of the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a drive clutch actuator connected to a drive clutch and in fluid communication directly downstream of the first mode valve assembly, a reverse clutch actuator connected to a reverse clutch and in fluid communication directly downstream of the first mode valve assembly, a second mode valve assembly in fluid communication directly downstream of the first mode valve assembly, and a park servo connected to the park mechanism and in fluid communication directly downstream of the first mode valve assembly and the second mode valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Christopher G. Benson
  • Patent number: 9599215
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system (10) and method of assembly for disconnecting a secondary driveline (27) can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle (14) having a power take-off unit (PTU) (42) for transferring rotary power to the secondary driveline (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp, Keith Feldt, Mark Buchanan, Peizhang Tu
  • Patent number: 9599216
    Abstract: A vehicle or other system includes an actuator assembly operable to achieve a selected operating state of the system in response to an electronic state selection signal, a push-button shifter assembly, and a controller. The shift assembly includes push-buttons, each including at least three redundant switches. A binary open/closed state of each switch defines the electronic state selection signal. The controller is in by-wire communication with the actuator and push-button shifter assemblies, and receives the electronic state selection signal. The controller determines a pressed, released, or unknown button state of each push-button by determining, in response to the electronic state selection signal, if all of the redundant switches have closed. If all of the redundant switches have not closed, the controller determines whether fewer than all of the switches have closed and opened within a calibrated time interval of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Orson S. Wang
  • Patent number: 9599217
    Abstract: A transmission unit of a motor vehicle, with a transmission having a transmission shaft and with an electric motor that is coupled thereto in an axial direction and that has a stator and that has a rotor arranged on a motor shaft and that is bearingless on the A-side. The electric motor includes an end plate on the B-side, and the stator is located at least partly inside a housing of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Wuerzburg
    Inventors: Joachim Baumgartner, Dominik Fueller, Christoph Otto, Martin Pondelek
  • Patent number: 9599218
    Abstract: A toroidal variable speed traction drive is provided. The drive comprises a driving toroidal disc assembly (4) and a driven toroidal disc assembly (3). The toroidal disc assemblies (3, 4) have a common axis of rotation. A plurality of roller assemblies are interposed between the toroidal discs (3, 4). Each roller assembly comprises at least one roller (16). The toroidal discs (3, 4) are urged together against the interposed roller assemblies by an axially directed clamping force. Each roller (16) of each roller assembly contacts each toroidal disc (3, 4) at contact points. The driving toroidal disc assembly (4) is driven by an input drive shaft (14) which provides an input torque. The driven toroidal disc (3) drives an output structure (5), that rotates around the common axis of rotation, the output structure (5, 12) driving an output shaft (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ultimate Transmissions Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Michael Durack
  • Patent number: 9599219
    Abstract: A gear shifting device, having a first, rotatably drivable transmission component, on which a shift element is arranged in a torque-proof and axially displaceable manner, which is axially movable into at least one shift position, in which the first transmission component is coupled in a torque-proof manner with a transmission component that is arranged adjacent to it and is connectable thereon, whereas an axial shift movement of the shift element into the at least one shift position and/or from this through the interaction of one shift pin is able to be triggered with at least one associated groove-like shift gate, which is designed to be changeable in an axial direction, at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bastian Volpert
  • Patent number: 9599220
    Abstract: A cylinder-piston unit, with at least one cylinder accommodating an injection solution and having an outlet opening, and with at least one piston. The cylinder, or a component mounted upstream of the cylinder, has an end face from which, during correct emptying of the cylinder-piston unit, a short cannula protrudes, which has an outlet opening at its free end. The outlet opening has a surface with a border which has a point near the bottom or an edge near the bottom. The point near the bottom or the edge near the bottom lies 0.15-0.3 mm away from the end face or the front-most point or edge thereof. A cylinder-piston unit is developed which is intended for a disposable injector and which is suitable for virtually painless penetration of the human skin, among other reasons for the administration of highly viscous injection solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LTS LOHMANN THERAPIE-SYSTEME AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Matusch
  • Patent number: 9599221
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a connecting rod/piston arrangement for alternative compressor, comprising using at least an intermediate element capable of associating said connecting rod with the piston, wherein both do not radially contact with one another. A process for assembling said connecting rod/piston arrangement for alternative compressor is also disclosed. The connecting rod/piston arrangement for alternative compressor comprises at least a piston (1), at least an intermediate element (2) and at least a connecting rod (3), wherein said piston (1) comprises at least a non-through axial channel (11); said intermediate element (2) comprises at least a through axial channel (21); and said connecting rod (3) comprises at least a connection end (31). In this regard, the intermediate element (2) is securely housed inside the non-through axial channel (11) of piston (1); and said connection end (31) of connecting rod (3) is securely housed inside the through axial channel (21) of intermediate element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Alisson Luiz Roman, Celso Kenzo Takemori, Paulo Rogerio Carrara Couto, Wilfred Roettger
  • Patent number: 9599222
    Abstract: In a diaphragm pump having a fluorine resin-made rolling diaphragm including: an inner circumferential portion that elongates along an outer circumferential surface of a piston; an outer circumferential portion that elongates along the inner circumferential surface of a cylinder; and a folded portion that is formed by folding back in a tubular space between the cylinder and the piston; and a pump chamber is separated by the rolling diaphragm in the cylinder, the rolling diaphragm is produced in an extended attitude corresponding to an attitude obtained when, by a projective movement of the piston, the outer circumferential portion is eliminated, and the folding of the folded portion is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON PILLAR PACKING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazukiyo Teshima, Mitsuo Mori, Motoaki Naruo
  • Patent number: 9599223
    Abstract: To provide a price-competitive compression ring having excellent thermal conductivity and thermal sag resistance, which can be used in a high-thermal-load environment of high-compression-ratio engines, steel identified by the material number of SKS93 in JIS G 4404 is used, and a piston ring wire is annealed before an oil-tempering treatment such that spheroidal cementite having an average particle size of 0.1-1.5 ?m is dispersed in a tempered martensite matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA RIKEN
    Inventors: Yuji Shima, Ryouichi Kamon
  • Patent number: 9599224
    Abstract: There are provided a shell of a pressure-resistant container that is made of ceramics, is used for a pressure-resistant container formed with a through hole, and can be made higher in strength and lighter in weight, as well as to provide a pressure-resistant container and an exploratory apparatus. A shell of a pressure-resistant container includes a shell portion and a thick-walled portion. The shell portion is made of ceramics and has a convexly-curved surface. The thick-walled portion is made of ceramics, continues into the shell portion, is larger in thickness than the shell portion, and has a through hole penetrating through the thick-walled portion in a thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: KYOCERA CORPORATION, Japan Agency For Marine-Earth Science & Technology
    Inventors: Kenichi Asakawa, Tadahiro Hyakudome, Masao Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9599225
    Abstract: A blocking configuration of an oil pressure circuit hole includes a plug screwed together with an aperture end portion of the oil pressure circuit hole provided to a main body. The plug includes: a shaft portion; an external thread portion disposed on a leading end of the shaft portion; an O-ring mounted on an outer periphery of a base end portion of the shaft portion and pressed between the outer periphery of the shaft portion and an inner periphery of the oil pressure circuit hole to seal them; a flange portion having an external diameter larger than that of the shaft portion and disposed on a part of a base end side of a storage groove on which the O-ring is mounted; and a polygonal column-shaped head portion on which a tightening tool is mounted and disposed on a part of a base end side of the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Nohara, Hiroyuki Chikugo, Shuuji Hori, Mitsumasa Akashi
  • Patent number: 9599226
    Abstract: A pressure released wiper assembly is arranged to fit into a ring-shaped groove in a cylinder or at a piston rod. The pressure released wiper with a V- or U-shaped cross section includes an opening in the axial direction to a potential contaminated side of the wiper assembly, a ring shaped base portion, a ring disk shaped rear portion, a lip portion, one or more through openings from the opening through the rear portion to a gap formed between the cylinder wall and the rod or piston outside the ring-shaped groove, and one or more filters covering at least the one or more through openings to the potential contaminated side of the wiper assembly in the filter holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEAL ENGINEERING AS
    Inventors: Julian Putkowski, Hans Fredrik Sandberg
  • Patent number: 9599227
    Abstract: A lip seal includes: a lip part (1) forming a ring shape alone or with plural members and provided in sliding contact with the entire periphery of a surface of a shaft (0); an elastic arm part (2) and a flexible wall (3) supporting the lip part (1) at a sliding contact position; key parts (4) connecting the elastic arm part (2) and the flexible wall (3) to a housing (10), respectively, and a pressure regulation chamber (A) forming a ring shape alone or with plural members and using the elastic arm part (2) and the flexible wall (3) as partition walls. The flexible wall (3) is deformed by the increase and decrease in pressure in the pressure regulation chamber (A) to change the lip part (1) at least radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: WARTSILA JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Himeno, Mashiba Kyogoku, Masakazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 9599228
    Abstract: Seals having incorporated heat pipes are disclosed relating to pumps and other comparable sealing equipment that may include a seal face, a cavity, a wicking material within the cavity, and a working fluid within the cavity. The seals may be used as a pump seal rings and in other applications having comparable heat transfer requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
    Inventors: Michael M. Khonsari, Nian Xiao
  • Patent number: 9599229
    Abstract: A cartridge seal for centrifugal pump comprises a shaft tube assembly attached to a structure. A shaft tube of the shaft tube assembly receives a shaft of the centrifugal pump. A shaft collar of the cartridge seal attached to a second end of the shaft tube is in communication with a second end of the structure. A chamber tube of the shaft tube assembly and the shaft tube collectively define a chamber that contains compressed gas. A spring is located in the chamber of compressed gas. The compressed gas and the spring cause the shaft tube assembly to substantially prevent movement of fluids between the shaft and the structure in the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Gary K. Evans
  • Patent number: 9599230
    Abstract: A female screw member includes a female screw part with a female screw, and a projection part projecting in the direction of a center shaft of the female screw and having a working face in the rotating direction centering on the center shaft. The female screw part and projection part are integrally molded with a resin. The projection part has a spiral inclination face spirally inclining by one round from the working face centering on the center shaft of the female screw. The height H of the working face is equal to or smaller than a pitch P of the female screw. Using the projection part as a fully opening fixing stopper, a motor operated valve includes a valve main body having a valve seat, the female screw member attached to the valve main body, a motor having a rotator and stator, and a valve shaft. The valve shaft is screwed to a female screw of the female screw member, and is rotated and driven by the rotor, and has a fully opening movable stopper capable of contacting the fully opening fixing stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoari Ohuchi, Takeshi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 9599231
    Abstract: A flap-gate valve having a replaceable wear surface, methods of replacing a wear surface with a replacement wear surface, and methods of retrofitting an existing flap-gate valve with components adapted to work in conjunction with a replaceable wear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PLATTCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dean Surprenant, Kevin Guay
  • Patent number: 9599232
    Abstract: A single coil dual solenoid valve includes: first and second moving cores having connected to respective ends thereof first and second valve bodies; first and second plunger tubes having slidably inserted thereinto the first and second moving cores, respectively; first and second stationary cores disposed at respective opposite ends of the first and second plunger tubes so as to lie opposite to the first and second moving cores, respectively; a first frame disposed to connect the first and second stationary cores; a second frame disposed to connect one end of the first and second plunger tubes, respectively; and a single solenoid disposed to enclose one of the first and second plunger tubes. By activating the solenoid, the first and second moving cores are sucked to move toward the respective first and second stationary cores, whereby the first and second valve bodies are changed over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kimihiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9599233
    Abstract: In a valve box that makes up a gate valve, a balance room is disposed on one side wall that faces toward a processing chamber. In the balance room, a first seal member is provided to surround a first pathway, and a second seal member is mounted on an outer edge of the balance room. Further, a balance port is formed in the balance room. The balance port communicates with an accommodating room that is formed in the interior of the valve box. In a valve closed state in which a valve disk is seated on a valve seat of the valve box, the pressure inside the accommodating room and the pressure inside the balance room are equalized or made uniform through the balance port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Hiromi Shimoda, Takashi Nagao
  • Patent number: 9599234
    Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between a first gate member that defines a first opening therethrough, which includes a flange oriented parallel to and extending in a direction opposite to a flow direction through the sprung gate, and a second gate member that defines a second opening therethrough, which has an elongate throat extending therefrom toward the first gate member. The endless elastic band spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member and the terminus of the elongate throat is seated within the flange of the first gate member to define a continuous passage through the sprung gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 9599235
    Abstract: A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation tube having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube between stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the tube; a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to create an airlock in the at least one tube. In embodiments, the tube sealer may include a gate valve and/or an airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HYPERLOOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Cothern, Michael Gaunt, Thomas Ronacher, Daniel Shafrir, Brogan Bambrogan, Joshua Giegel
  • Patent number: 9599236
    Abstract: A water supply valve comprising a valve body having a first orifice and a second orifice, a rotatable valve shaft, and a handle. The rotatable valve shaft can be inserted into the first orifice or the second orifice, thereby converting the water supply valve from first configuration where the handle is on the left side to a second configuration where the handle is on the right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AYRLETT LLC
    Inventors: Daniel L. McCoy, Leonard G. Franklin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9599237
    Abstract: A control valve includes a body, a first end cap, a second end cap, an insert, and a piston. The first end cap, second end cap, and insert are removably secured to the body and define a first port, second port, and third port of the control valve, respectively. The piston is positioned within the bore of the body and is movable between a first position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the second port and not with the third port and a second position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the third port and not with the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TESCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd William Larsen
  • Patent number: 9599238
    Abstract: A spool is disclosed for use in a valve. The spool may have an elongated cylindrical body with a first end and a second end. The spool may also have a first land formed at the first end, a second land axially spaced apart from the first land, and a check element located between the first and second lands. The check element may have an outer diameter that is about 0.5-1% greater than an outer diameter of the second land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beschorner, Bryan A. Johnson, Hideki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9599239
    Abstract: A selector valve includes: a first valve element having a through-hole; a first housing having a radial hole through which fluid flowing though the through-hole passes, the first housing accommodating the first valve element; a second valve element having a through-hole; a second housing having radial holes through which fluid flowing through the through-hole passes, the second housing accommodating the second valve element; and a motor configured to integrally actuate the first valve element and the second valve element. A hollow space configured to suppress transfer of heat between the first valve element and the second valve element is formed between the first valve element and the second valve element. A hollow space configured to suppress transfer of heat between the first housing and the second housing is formed between the first housing and the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Ohno, Kazuhide Uchida, Yuki Jojima, Yoshiaki Kawakami, Eizo Takahashi, Kousuke Sato
  • Patent number: 9599240
    Abstract: A spring for use in a check valve is formed from a single piece of a polymeric material and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a body positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The body includes a wall, a proximal opening on the wall and a distal opening on the wall, and a bellows between the proximal opening and the distal opening. Further included is a process of forming the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hy B. Nguyen, Thuan An Dinh, Carlos E. Arellano
  • Patent number: 9599241
    Abstract: A clack valve assembly comprising: a valve seat comprising an opening; a bearing comprising a recess with a base, a mouth, and a pair of side walls between the base and the mouth; a lid comprising a lid plate and a shaft, the shaft being received in the recess of the bearing; and a shaft retaining member which closes the mouth of the recess in the bearing, thus retaining the shaft within the recess. The shaft and the lid plate are integrally formed elements of a single part. The shaft can rotate within the recess to enable the lid to rotate from a closed position in which the lid engages the valve seat and covers the opening, to an open position in which the lid lifts away from the valve seat enabling fluid to flow through the opening in the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Harish Agadi, Lee Randle, Michael J. James, Mark Wright
  • Patent number: 9599242
    Abstract: An anti-siphon one-way valve includes a valve seat, a valve core, a return spring, and a Y-shaped ring. The valve seat has an inlet and an outlet. The valve seat has a valve cavity therein. The valve cavity communicates with the inlet and the outlet respectively. The valve core is slidably mounted in the valve cavity. The Y-shaped ring is installed on the valve core and leans against the side wall of the valve cavity. The Y-shaped ring has a Y-shaped cross-section. The return spring is fitted on the valve core. The present invention provides a better anti-siphon effect, and the requirements for precision in size and installation are lower, and the production cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PURITY (XIAMEN) SANITARY WARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chin-Lung Wu
  • Patent number: 9599243
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve having a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a curvilinearly extending housing interior sidewall that defines a flow passageway through the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. A piston assembly that is moveable between a closed position to establish a fluid-tight seal between the inlet port and the outlet port, and an open position to permit fluidic flow of pressurized fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The piston assembly has a piston head having a parabolically shaped piston face and elliptical perimeter that, when the inlet piston assembly is moved to the open position, aligns with the housing interior sidewall to provide a continuous transition from a position immediately upstream of the piston to a position immediately downstream of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taylor Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Julian S. Taylor, Bryce A. Bell
  • Patent number: 9599244
    Abstract: A bypass valve and a valve assembly including a bypass valve are disclosed. The bypass valve includes a manifold having 4 ports and a valve stem including two sealing elements disposed along the valve stem length. The valve stem may be displaced to a first valve position and a second valve position to selectably place combinations of ports in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Peterson
  • Patent number: 9599245
    Abstract: A two-stage, variable force, solenoid control valve for regulating fluid pressure can include a valve body having a pilot fluid passage, including a metering land, in fluid communication with a flow amplifying fluid passage through a valve control port formed in the valve body. A solenoid operated pilot valve member, disposed in the pilot fluid passage can have a metering orifice operable in combination with the metering land for selectively connecting the valve control port with a pressurized fluid supply port and a return exhaust port in response to activation of a solenoid. A flow amplifying spool valve member, in fluid communication with the valve control port of the pilot valve member at one end, can selectively connect a load control port with the pressurized fluid supply port and the return exhaust port in response to pilot valve member operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Garrett R. Holmes
  • Patent number: 9599246
    Abstract: A latching solenoid gate valve includes a housing defining a conduit having a flow path therethrough and a cavity separating the conduit into a first section and a second section. The latching solenoid assembly also includes a gate assembly enclosed within the cavity of the housing and a first solenoid assembly and a second solenoid assembly seated within the cavity with the gate assembly linearly translatable therebetween. The gate assembly includes a first gate member comprising magnetizable material and defining an opening therethrough. The first gate member is linearly movable within the cavity between an open position with the opening aligned with the conduit and a closed position with the opening out of alignment with the conduit. The first gate member is moved linearly from either the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 9599247
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for controlling the flow of a pressure medium, said electromagnetic valve comprising a valve housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for the pressure medium; at least one passage opening, which connects the inlet port to the outlet port, for the pressure medium; a valve slide that can be moved axially between a first basic position, which closes the passage opening, and a second basic position, which opens the passage opening, by means of a solenoid coil; and a spring assembly, which positions the valve slide in the first or the second basic position when the solenoid coil is not energized. A spring excursion limiting means limits a specified spring excursion of the second spring portion to position the valve slide in an intermediate position between the first and second basic position by the energized solenoid coil. The valve slide releases at least a partial cross section of the passage opening in the intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KENDRION (VILLINGEN) GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Flühs, Holger Brandenburg
  • Patent number: 9599248
    Abstract: A mechanism for implementing a delay in a directional control valve in the movement of a valve spool within a valve body from a first position of the spool to a second position of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, Jason Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9599249
    Abstract: A solenoid valve is provided having a hydraulic body that provides one of the poles for the solenoid valve. The hydraulic body has a central bore providing a bearing surface for an armature having an integral poppet. The poppet seals with a valve seat integral to the hydraulic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett R. Holmes, Jeffrey J. Waterstredt
  • Patent number: 9599250
    Abstract: An actuator apparatus includes and actuator and a yoke. The actuator includes an upper casing and a lower casing defining a cavity and an actuating device disposed at least partially within the cavity and dividing the cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The yoke is connected to the actuator and has an actuator spring disposed within a body of the yoke and a yoke tube extending longitudinally through the body of the yoke. The yoke tube extends from an aperture in the lower casing of the actuator and provides an air passage that fluidly connects the lower chamber of the actuator and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William E. Wears
  • Patent number: 9599251
    Abstract: A check valve driving device for injecting gas, which enables an accurate operation of a check valve for injecting gas and long-term usage by enhancing durability, comprises: an upper portion fixing block which moves vertically by coupling onto a yoke repeating vertical movements; a lower portion fixing block which is coupled to a prechamber at a lower portion of the yoke; a roller which is rotatably coupled onto the upper portion fixing block, and of which a center portion diameter is bigger than diameters of both end portions; a guide, which is rotatably coupled onto the lower portion fixing block, for rotating when a curved surface on one side thereof comes into contact with the roller moving vertically; an operation piece, which is rotatably coupled onto the lower portion fixing block, wherein a front end of the operation piece moves vertically in accordance with the rotation of the guide; and a pressing rod which is coupled to the front end of the operation piece, and which is lowered in accordance with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-Jin Lee, Dae-Yeoul Jung, Sung-Hyeok Kim, Kwang-Cheol Heo, Jong-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 9599252
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve (101, 601) includes a housing (106) and a spherical obstructer (107) having a through hole (108), wherein the spherical obstructer (107) is inserted in the housing (106) and is adapted to rotate therein (106) about an axis of rotation (110) between a first position, in which the through hole (108) is substantially coaxial to the control valve to allow the passage of a fluid, and a second position, in which the through hole (108) is substantially transversal to the control valve to prevent the passage of a fluid. The control valve further includes a rotor (111) within the through hole (108), wherein the rotor is adapted to rotate in a continuous manner under the action of a fluid flowing through the control valve, rotating about a second axis of rotation (112) substantially coinciding with the axis of rotation of the spherical obstructer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Politecnico di Milano
    Inventor: Stefano Malavasi