Patents Issued in October 3, 2017
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Patent number: 9776666Abstract: A vehicle side section structure including: a center pillar including an outer panel, an inner panel that forms a closed cross-section with the outer panel, and a reinforcement member that is provided inside the closed cross-section, that reinforces the outer panel, and that includes a main body section including a front wall, a side wall, and a rear wall and open toward the vehicle width direction inside, and a recessed portion formed between a front side ridgeline formed by the front wall and the side wall and a rear side ridgeline formed by the side wall and the rear wall and open toward the vehicle width direction outside; and filler material filled between the recessed portion and a facing face that faces the recessed portion, excluding at the periphery of the front side ridgeline and at the periphery of the rear side ridgeline of the main body section.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, IIDA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenjiro Yamada, Kenji Takada
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Patent number: 9776667Abstract: A system for supporting a trailer mover in a fixed spatial relationship to the wheels of a trailer is provided. The system has embodiments handling both independent and non-independent suspension; movers mounted either before or aft the wheels; and, movers mounted on either left hand or right hand wheels. The system attaches to the sprung portion of the trailer suspension to provide the fixed spatial relationship. Adjustable components provide longitudinal and lateral adjustment of the position of the trailer mover to cater for different proximal wheel and suspension geometries.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventors: Malcolm Hill, Stuart Barrow, Matthew Rowley, Jeremiah Fashe, Yemi Ajibade
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Patent number: 9776668Abstract: Side member (23) for a chassis (27) provided with a wheel (26) which side member (23) comprises an upper flange (32) and a lower flange (33). Both of the flanges (32, 33) of the side member (23) have a continuous extension along the whole of the side member's (23) entire length. The upper or lower flange (32, 33) exhibits two oppositely directed curved portions (38, 39) that are both located in front of or behind said wheel (26) so that the curved flange's (32, 33) perpendicular distance to the non-curved flange (32) at one end of the chassis (27) is greater than the corresponding perpendicular distance to the non-curved flange (32) at the other end of the chassis (27). The non-curved flange (32) and the curved flange (33) are connected to one another via at least one connecting member (40, 51, 52).Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SSAB TECHNOLOGY ABInventor: Anders Isaksson
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Patent number: 9776669Abstract: A mounting assembly is configured to join a vehicle body to a vehicle chassis with a bolt. The mounting assembly includes an outer tube and an inner sleeve. The outer tube defines a sleeve channel, and is configured to be fixed to one of the vehicle chassis and the vehicle body. The inner sleeve is disposed within the sleeve channel of the outer tube, and defines a bolt hole configured to receive the bolt. The outer tube, the inner sleeve, and the bolt cooperate to join the vehicle body to the vehicle chassis. An initiation slot is defined in the outer tube, such that the sleeve channel is an incomplete cylindrical shell.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yunjun Li, Teodorico G. Terry, Jeffry Pniewski, Ferdous M. Ghazi
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Patent number: 9776670Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include a dash panel configured to partition an engine room and a passenger room, front side members deployed at both left and right sides in a width direction of a vehicle, formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and having rear portions coupled to an outer surface of the dash panel, and a dash upper reinforcing member overlapped with an inner surface of the dash panel to be coupled together with the front side member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: KiBong Park
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Patent number: 9776671Abstract: An assembling structure of a vehicle body may include side sill members provided in a length direction of a vehicle at both side portions of a lower portion of the vehicle body, respectively, a dash cross member provided in a width direction of the vehicle, both side end portions thereof being assembled to front end portions of the side sill members, center members provided in the length direction of the vehicle between the side sill members and a central portion of the vehicle body, front end portions thereof being assembled to a lower end portion of the dash cross member, and reinforcing members provided in the width direction of the vehicle between the center members and the side sill members, a first end portion of each reinforcing members being assembled to the center members and a second end portion of each reinforcing members being assembled to the side sill members.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jong Seop Song, Yong Kew Kim
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Patent number: 9776672Abstract: A mud flap system for a tractor is described. The mud flap system includes brackets that clamp or secure to a frame of the tractor. Lateral extensions engage to the brackets to support covers over a top surface of rear wheels of the tractor.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TRUCKMOVERS.COM INC.Inventor: Dean West
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Patent number: 9776673Abstract: A memory management system and method for managing memory blocks of a memory device of a computer. The system includes a free block data structure including free memory blocks for writing, and sorting the free memory blocks in a predetermined order based on block write-erase endurance cycle count and receiving new user-write requests to update existing data and relocation write requests to relocate existing data separately, a user-write block pool for receiving youngest blocks holding user-write data (i.e., any page being updated frequently) from the free block data structure, a relocation block pool for receiving oldest blocks holding relocation data (i.e., any page being updated infrequently) from the free block data structure, and a garbage collection pool structure for selecting at least one of user-write blocks and relocation blocks for garbage collection, wherein the selected block is moved back to the free block data structure upon being relocated and erased.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventors: Xiao-yu Hu, Evangelos S. Eleftheriou, Robert Haas
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Patent number: 9776674Abstract: An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system of the present disclosure is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a top panel configured to be coupled to the rear swing door of the trailer and a hinge configured to couple the top panel to the rear swing door. The hinge includes a planar bracket configured to be coupled to the rear swing door, an L-shaped bracket configured to be coupled to the top panel, and a hinge joint configured to couple together the planar bracket and the L-shaped bracket. The hinge joint is configured to rotate about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to a top edge of the rear frame of the trailer when the top panel is coupled to the rear swing door.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Leonard W. Baker, Michael J. Courtney, James Andrew Sweet, Brian N. Haan
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Patent number: 9776675Abstract: A wing assembly for a vehicle includes a pivotable elongate wing member. The wing member extends from a first end to a second end, and is configured to pivot relative to a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The pivot axis extends from the first end to the second end. The wing assembly further includes a first endplate pivotably coupled to the first end and a second endplate pivotably coupled to the second end. The first endplate has a first endplate position relative to the pivot axis, and is configured to maintain the first endplate position independent of wing member position. The second endplate has a second endplate position relative to the pivot axis, and is configured to maintain the second endplate position independent of wing member position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Richard A. Berger
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Patent number: 9776676Abstract: A crawler mechanism includes a frame, a track including a plurality of shoes coupled together and supported for movement relative to the frame along a direction of travel, a sprocket, and a guide rail. The frame includes a first end, a second end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end and proximate a support surface, and a second side. Each shoe includes an intermediate portion having a first hardness. The sprocket drives the plurality of shoes to move along the second side of the frame. The guide rail is coupled to the second side of the frame and includes a base having an outer surface and a coating bonded to the outer surface. The coating contacts the intermediate portion of the shoes as the shoes move along the second side of the frame, and the coating defines a second hardness less than the first hardness.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Scheuerman, Joseph Brenny
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Patent number: 9776677Abstract: A lift axle suspension for a tandem trailer has first and second suspension air bags for first and second axles. There is a lift air bag that, when pressurized, applies a lifting force to lift the second axle relative to the first axle. A first pneumatic circuit supplies compressed air to the first suspension air bag and a diverter valve and is controlled by a height selector valve that is opened and closed based on the ride height of the trailer. The diverter valve selectively supplies compressed air to the second suspension air bag and a pressure regulator that limits air pressure to a predetermined pressure. A second pneumatic supplies compressed air to the lift air bag and is controlled by a pilot valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Kelly W Yakimishyn
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Patent number: 9776678Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for providing stability to a vehicle using one or more auxiliary support members on the vehicle, such as lateral sides of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may extend away from the vehicle body to approach and/or touch a support surface and provide stability and in some cases additional centripetal force to facilitate steering of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may also retract towards the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TWO WHEELS TECHNOLOGY, CO., LTD.Inventor: Lingyun Zhu
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Patent number: 9776679Abstract: A mounting device for mounting accessories on a handlebar of a bicycle includes a mounting frame and a plurality of sliding members. The mounting frame has a central hole and a plurality of coupling slots. The handlebar is inserted into the central hole of the frame member, and the coupling slots are provided on a surface of the mounting frame. The coupling slots each have an elongated direction, which is substantially parallel to an axial direction of the frame member, and the coupling slots are substantially parallel to each other. Accessories are connected to the sliding members respectively, and the sliding members each have a coupling portion to be detachably engaged in one of the coupling slots of the mounting frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: LEE CHI ENTERPRISES COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Colin Esquibel, Hong-Min Li
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Patent number: 9776680Abstract: A body frame includes a link support that supports a linkage, a lower frame that connects a power unit provided in a position where at least a portion of the power unit overlaps a line when a vehicle in the upright state is seen from a side thereof and the link support together, and an upper frame that is connected to the link support above a connecting portion of the lower frame with the link support. When the vehicle in the upright state is seen from the side thereof, a point of intersection of a straight line which passes a connecting portion and intersects a middle lower axis at right angles and an upper edge of the upper frame is positioned above a point of intersection of the middle lower axis and a left steering axis in relation to the direction of the left steering axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuhiko Hirakawa, Kazuhisa Takano, Hiroshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9776681Abstract: A motorcycle comprises a vehicle body frame including: a head pipe; a pair of main frames extending rearward from the head pipe to be apart from each other in a vehicle width direction; a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting rear end portions of the pair of main frames; and a pair of rear frames extending rearward from the cross member; and an engine connected to the pair of main frames, each of the pair of main frames includes a trellis section, and a single pipe section extending rearward from the trellis section and having a rear end joined to the cross member, the trellis section is provided with a first mount to which a front portion of a cylinder head is connected, and the single pipe section is provided with a second mount to which a rear portion of the cylinder head is connected.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Ito
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Patent number: 9776682Abstract: A foldable bicycle has a front assembly including a front frame member supporting a front wheel and a handlebar column. A rear assembly has a rear frame member supporting a rear wheel, a seat structure and a drive mechanism. A central joint interconnects the front and rear frame members to form an articulated main frame. The articulated main frame is pivotable about a pivot axis between an assembled state such that the front and rear wheels are coplanar in a first plane that includes a vertical axis and a longitudinal axis and a collapsed state such that the front wheel is laterally offset and adjacent to the rear wheel. The front assembly rotates towards the rear assembly about the pivot axis when the articulated main frame is pivoted from the assembled state to the collapsed state.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Gabor Gerencser
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Patent number: 9776683Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer, a detector, and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The detector is configured to detect the relative position. The controller is configured to control the changer to change the relative position based on a detection value detected by the detector so as to control a height of the body as a vehicle height. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the vehicle height when there is a possibility of a malfunction in the detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATIONInventors: Takahiro Kasuga, Shunya Senda, Takahiro Koresawa
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Patent number: 9776684Abstract: A derailleur includes a fixed component, a movable component, a linkage component, a deceleration component and a drive component. The fixed component is for being fixed to a bicycle frame. The movable component is for being fixed to a chain guide. The linkage component includes a first linkage and a second linkage. Two ends of the first linkage pivot on the fixed component and the movable component, respectively. Two ends of the second linkage pivot on the fixed component and the movable component, respectively. The deceleration component includes a circular spline, a flex spline and a wave generator. The flex spline is disposed inside the circular spline, for rotating the first linkage and the second linkage relative to the fixed component. The wave generator is disposed inside the flex spline. The drive component is connected to the wave generator, for rotating the wave generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
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Patent number: 9776685Abstract: A front derailleur basically includes a fixed member, a movable member, a driven link and a first link. The fixing member is configured to be fixed to a bicycle frame. The movable member is movably supported with respect to the fixed member. The driven link is operatively coupled to the movable member. The first link movably connects the movable member to the fixed member, and is adjustably coupled to the driven link in a fixed position by a fixing structure to establish a fixed rest position of the movable member with respect to the fixed member.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Tachibana, Yuuta Mizutani, Keijiro Nishi, Kazuya Kuwayama, Atsuhiro Emura, Kenkichi Inoue
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Patent number: 9776686Abstract: Watercraft with dual, in-line flotation are detailed. Front and rear floats may be bridged by a seating assembly and allow both feet-up and feet-down positioning of a user of the craft. The watercraft may be disassembled and then reassembled compactly for transport or storage, with the compactly reassembled craft including wheels or capable of being placed onto a hand trolley if desired to facilitate its carriage. Also detailed are watercraft in which forward flotation is provided by two front floats forming a pontoon configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Formex Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Wade Sizemore
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Patent number: 9776687Abstract: A cantilevered canopy structure includes at least one vertical support having a first and second upper support joint. The structure further includes at least one first and second horizontal support. The first horizontal support is affixed to the vertical supports at the first upper support joint. The second horizontal support is affixed to the vertical supports at the second upper support joint. The structure further includes cantilever supports. The cantilever support is affixed to the first and second horizontal supports. The structure further includes at least one horizontal frame member. The horizontal frame member is affixed to the cantilever supports at a cantilever frame joint. The first upper support joint is located higher than the second upper support joint. The first upper support joint and second upper support joints are distal, in opposing directions, from the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Designer Direct, Inc.Inventor: Kerry Levin
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Patent number: 9776688Abstract: A tethering device for use in securing a boat to a dock is mounted to the underside of the dock decking with its deck trim assembly flush with the top of the dock and only the looped, running end of the tethering line extending from a hole in its deck trim assembly. Threaded studs welded to the underside to the deck trim assembly enable its line retraction mechanism and line locking mechanism to be supported below the decking leaving the deck surface free of tripping hazards and excess line. Below the decking, an assembly cover houses a self-retracting reel and a line-locking mechanism for control over the line, retracting excess line but enabling the user to set and hold the length of line needed for tethering a boat to the dock.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Rock N. Underwood
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Patent number: 9776689Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for static and dynamic positioning or motion control of a marine structure by using real-time monitoring of at least one of a mooring line, marine environments, 6-dof movement of a marine structure, a tank state, a ship topside, the seabed, or their combinations. The static and dynamic real-time monitoring data of the mooring line is obtained and processed for positioning the marine structure or controlling and managing a motion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: CYTRONIQ., LTD.Inventor: Michael Myungsub Lee
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Patent number: 9776690Abstract: A vertical marker buoy and method for deployment are disclosed herein for enhanced detection of equipment on the water's surface. The equipment may have been previously submerged at a significant depth. The buoy and method provide a faster and more reliable means to locate equipment, e. g., at the sea surface or suspended by a float. The marker buoy has flotation device, a detection indicator and a bail mounted to a tube. The marker buoy is configured to be positioned in a substantially vertical position when the vertical marker buoy is in use on the surface of a body of water. The vertical marker buoy is capable of being deployed at an underwater depth.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the NavyInventors: Theodore Albert Sledzinski, Mark Gillcrist
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Patent number: 9776691Abstract: Ships for navigating in icy waters having improved propulsion performance in open water and at the same time good maneuverability forward in icy waters are provided. Such ships include those having a bow area with a bulb adapted to generate a bow wave in phase opposition with respect to that generated by the ship's hull.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: FINCANTIERI S.P.A.Inventor: Gianpiero Lavini
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Patent number: 9776692Abstract: Low or no disturbance sampling can be accomplished such as through a single-platform aquatic species and habitat sampling system with data integration and rapid processing capabilities that can address the need for sampling at variable depths over varied habitats, along with the simultaneous collection of linked physical and biological data. The platform may be based on a 24-36 foot boat, and may include a net mouth opener brace for an adjustable concentrator net and smaller drift net which may be attached to an adjustable sample chamber, perhaps containing variable mesh capture nets as well as cameras, water sampling equipment, and water quality sensors integrated with a fish finder, GPS, and other monitoring and data recording equipment. The depth of the net mouth opener brace and sample chamber may be adjustable using a depth control.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: S.P. Cramer & Associates, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Merz
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Patent number: 9776693Abstract: Systems and methods for adding buoyancy to an object are described herein. A buoyant material may be enclosed inside a flexible container, heated, and inserted into a free flooded cavity inside the object. The flexible container may then be formed to the shape of the cavity. After the flexible container is formed to the shape of the cavity, the flexible container may be cooled. The flexible container may hold a pre-determined amount of the syntactic material that provides a fixed amount of buoyancy. According to another aspect, systems and methods for packing a vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a buoyant material may be molded into the shape of a hull of a vehicle, and a plurality of cutouts may be extracted from the buoyant material which are specifically designed to incorporate one or more instruments.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: HADAL, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Rikoski, Jonathan Pompa, Robert S. Damus, Dylan Owens
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Patent number: 9776694Abstract: Unmanned underwater vehicle with variable-geometry internally pressurized hull that enables the underwater vehicle to submerge/emerge and change submersion depth by varying hull's buoyancy and not the vehicle weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Sebastian Dawid Oledzki
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Patent number: 9776695Abstract: An underwater mobile inspection apparatus capable of inspecting an inspection object on a seafloor while cruising; including a cruising body configured to submerge under-water and cruise along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, a first movable arm provided on the cruising-body, and an inspection tool unit provided on the first movable arm and including at least one of an image-capturing camera for use in visually inspecting the inspection object and a device configured to inspect a wall thickness of the inspection object by using an ultrasonic wave. A controller is configured to, when the cruising-body cruises along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, operate the first movable arm to move the inspection tool unit, such that a positional relationship of the inspection tool unit with the inspection object becomes a predetermined target positional relationship.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Kimura, Noriyuki Okaya, Kazuya Sumino, Minehiko Mukaida, Hiroaki Kagaya, Masanori Hamamatsu, Akiyoshi Saiki, Tetsuya Kubota, Masayuki Enomoto
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Patent number: 9776696Abstract: A propeller includes a bushing that rotates together with the propeller shaft, and a propeller damper disposed around the bushing, and an inner cylinder that surrounds the bushing via the propeller damper. The bushing includes a first cylindrical portion surrounding the propeller shaft, and a first protrusion protruding outward from the first cylindrical portion and integral with the first cylindrical portion. The inner cylinder includes a second cylindrical portion surrounding the bushing via the propeller damper and a second protrusion protruding inward from the second cylindrical portion. The inner cylinder is rotatable with respect to the bushing between a noncontact position and a contact position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koma Ariga
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Fluid outlet interface for personal watercraft, associated personal watercraft and propulsion system
Patent number: 9776697Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid outlet interface for a personal watercraft, so that the latter can collect and divert a very small portion of the fluid pressurized by said vehicle and thus create a sufficient Venturi effect to drive the emptying of the bilge of said vehicle. The invention also relates to a personal watercraft, or more generally any floating device delivering a pressurized fluid, comprising such an interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Frankie Zapata -
Patent number: 9776698Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive shaft extending vertically from an engine and is rotated by the engine. An upper case covers the drive shaft. A propeller shaft extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the drive shaft. A lower case covers the propeller shaft. A front handle is disposed forward of the drive shaft and below an engine cover. A rear handle is disposed rearward of the drive shaft and below the engine cover. The rear handle is disposed in a position lower than a position of the front handle.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuta Miyatake, Ryota Numaguchi
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Patent number: 9776699Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit including an engine rotating output shaft and a driveshaft extending along a driveshaft axis and having an upper end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the output shaft. A propulsor shaft extends along a propulsor shaft axis and has a first end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship to a lower end of the driveshaft and a second end coupled to a propulsor. The propulsor shaft axis defines a direction of thrust generated by the propulsor. A transom bracket couples the drive unit to the marine vessel. A steering support couples the drive unit to the transom bracket and rotates the drive unit about a steering axis to change a direction of the thrust generated by the propulsor. The steering axis is substantially non-parallel to the driveshaft axis, and is oriented with respect to the driveshaft axis at a given angle of less than 45 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeremy L. Alby, Charles H. Eichinger, Randall J. Poirier, Robert W. Stuber
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Patent number: 9776700Abstract: An outboard motor includes a lower unit and an upper unit that is attachable to the stern of a boat, with the upper unit and lower unit configured to tilt together about a transverse tilt axis. The upper unit includes an engine, a transmission assembly and a drive shaft and the lower unit includes a lower unit housing and a propeller shaft that is connected to the drive shaft. The lower unit housing is configured to pivot relative to the upper unit, about a steering axis that extends coaxially with the drive shaft. The steering axis intersects the propeller axis at an obtuse angle.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Michael Alan Beachy Head
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Patent number: 9776701Abstract: A trolling plate which, together with a supporting and deployment mechanism, is fixed to and strutted from an outboard motor without the need for engineering modifications or the use special tools; said trolling plate being pivotably deployable into the water in the zone immediately downstream of the propeller of the outboard motor to substantially block the efflux from said propeller and thereby reduce its propulsive effort; said deployment being effected in a universally variable way by means of a suitable actuator; control means of said actuator and/or said deployment mechanism incorporating means to permit the immediate retraction of said trolling plate should it impact an obstruction or should the power of said outboard motor suddenly be increased.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Howard Charles Pietsch
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Patent number: 9776702Abstract: The system heats glycol water using steam generated by a boiler and heating LNG using the glycol water, thereby increasing efficiently the LNG to temperature required for an engine. In addition, the system senses LNG flowing to a glycol tank using a pressure sensor, etc. when the LNG flows to the glycol tank due to pressure difference between a fuel supplying line and a glycol circulation line generated according as a heat exchanger is broken down, and outputs the flowed LNG to the outside. As a result, the glycol circulation line may be returned to original state and stability of the system may be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min Ho Kang, Ju Seog Han, Jong Bum Lee
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Patent number: 9776703Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an aircraft fuselage stiffener including a heel, a flange, and a web connecting the heel and the flange, this stiffener comprising a folded sheet extending along the length of the heel, the web and the flange. In addition, to improve the mechanical behavior of the stiffener, the folded sheet includes on the one hand a main portion extending along the length of the heel, the web and the flange, and on the other hand at least one folded-over portion forming a lining of the main portion over at least part of the web and/or the heel and/or the flange.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)Inventors: Christophe Mialhe, Patrick Lieven, Philippe Rodrigo
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Patent number: 9776704Abstract: A pressure bulkhead for a pressurized vehicle such as an aircraft employs a plurality of layers of composite fiber material having uni-directional fibers arranged in a single direction within the composite fiber material. The pressure bulkhead incorporates non-traditional radial and circumferential stiffening members into a composite laminate and aligns the radial stiffening members with the direction of dominant load paths. The radial and circumferential stiffening members are interlaid between full layers of the composite fiber material. Related methods of manufacturing the pressure bulkhead include using automated fiber placement equipment to form each layer of the pressure bulkhead and discretely orient the integral stiffeners and the uni-directional fibers in each layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Russell Rufino, Kyle McNamara, Ta Yau Lin, Brice A. Johnson, Robert Vitlip
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Patent number: 9776705Abstract: A shape memory structure includes a plurality of bases directly attached to a composite structure and arranged along a first line at a first edge of the composite structure. A plurality of buckle-shaped shape memory structures are attached to corresponding ones of the plurality of bases, such that first ends of the plurality of buckle-shaped shape memory structures are raised relative to the composite structure. Second ends of the plurality of buckle-shaped shape memory structures are directly attached to the composite structure along a second line at a second edge of the composite structure, the second edge being opposite the first edge. When activated, the shape memory structure changes from a buckled shape to an original shape to cause the composite structure to assume a deployed shape; when deactivated, the shape memory structure to resumes a buckled shape and the composite structure an undeployed shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew Anthony Dilligan, Frederick T. Calkins, Tyler Jacob Zimmerman, James Henry Mabe, Kay Y. Blohowiak
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Patent number: 9776706Abstract: A motor assembly that includes a motor having a motor casing, a rotatable shaft extending from said motor casing to a shaft length and a hub coupled to said rotatable shaft, the hub having a circumferential skid surface disposed immediately proximal to the motor casing and having a channel configured to seat a propeller, when a propeller is present, wherein a bending moment applied to the shaft through the hub results in the circumferential skid surface contacting said motor casing.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Emil Ghapgharan, Lane Dennis Dalan, Pavel Belik, Christopher Eugene Fisher, Austin Craig Gunder
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Patent number: 9776707Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft turboprop engine having two unducted propellers, coaxial about a rotation axis (LL), respectively upstream (12) and downstream (14?), each propeller comprising an annular row of blades, the blades of the downstream propeller (14?) each having a truncated head and each comprising a leading edge (20?) and a trailing edge (22?), the radially external ends (A2, B1) of which are distant from each other and are connected by a terminal edge (21?), characterised in that the terminal edge (21?) of each blade of the downstream propeller (14?) has, at at least two points, tangents in a meridian plane having different slopes, the upstream end (A) of the terminal edge defining a maximum radial dimension (R2) of the blade and its downstream end (B1) defining a minimum radial dimension (R3) of the terminal edge.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Anthony Pascal Eloi Louet, Clement Marcel Maurice Dejeu, Jonathan Evert Vlastuin
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Patent number: 9776708Abstract: A method during which a current position of a pilot control is determined, an equivalent position is determined that the pilot control needs to reach following a control transition in order to avoid modifying the actuator, and at least one mismatch is determined between the equivalent position and the current position. As from a transition, a target is determined for controlling the actuator by giving a corrected value to at least one position variable in a post-transition piloting relationship, the corrected value being determined as a function of the mismatch and of the current position of the pilot control. So long as the mismatch is not zero, the value of the mismatch in the relationship is reduced in proportion to the movement of the pilot control as the pilot control comes closer to the equivalent position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERSInventors: Jean-Baptiste Vallart, Romeo Byzery
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Patent number: 9776709Abstract: A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wing elements and tail elements configured to roll to angularly orient the UAV by rolling so as to align a longitudinal plane of the UAV, in its late terminal phase, with a target. A method of UAV body re-orientation comprising: (a) determining by a processor a boresight angle error correction value bases on distance between a target point and a boresight point of a body-fixed frame; and (b) effecting a UAV maneuver comprising an angular role rate component translating the target point to a re-oriented target point in the body-fixed frame, to maintain the offset angle via the offset angle correction value.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventor: Carlos Thomas Miralles
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Patent number: 9776710Abstract: A fuel efficient aircraft propulsion system comprises a wingtip mounted ducted pusher fan with convergent backwash and a skewed conical engine nacelle. The system both mitigates wingtip vortex drag and converts a portion of vortex energy into propulsion force and lift force. The forward-tapering nacelle skews both downward and inward, so the lower nacelle surface is flush with the lower wing surface and the inboard nacelle surface does not alter flow over the upper wing surface. This firstly preserves lift at the outboard wing end. Secondly, air displacement by the nacelle accelerates flow only on the outboard and upper nacelle surfaces, and because the nacelle occupies the core of the nascent wingtip vortex, rotational air velocity is greatest on the upper nacelle surface. The resultant pressure drop on the upper nacelle surface contributes to aircraft lift. And because the nacelle surface tapers forward, this pressure drop does not exert backward-acting drag on the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: John Hincks Duke
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Patent number: 9776711Abstract: A landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a composite strut tube having a first lug and a second lug thereon. A first brace is coupled to the composite strut tube with a first two-force member via the first lug and a second brace is coupled to the composite strut tube with a second two-force member via the second lug. A method for assembling the landing gear is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventor: William E. Luce
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Patent number: 9776712Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft including a vehicle vibration control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: LORD CorporationInventors: Mark R. Jolly, Russell E. Altieri, Askari Badre-Alam, Douglas E. Ivers, Doug A. Swanson, Daniel Mellinger, Andrew D. Meyers
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Patent number: 9776713Abstract: Off-board gyrocopter take-off systems and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method includes restraining a gyrocopter from vertical and lateral movement, pre-rotating a fixed-pitch lift rotor of the gyrocopter via a power source located off the gyrocopter, and releasing the gyrocopter for vertical movement to allow the gyrocopter to lift under a force provided by the lift rotor. Optionally, the method can further include interrupting or reducing power from the power source to the gyrocopter as a way to release the gyrocopter for vertical movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Jaime G. Sada-Salinas
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Patent number: 9776714Abstract: An engine system with a multi-gas-generator, tip-turbine driven lift fan with pressurized air circulation control for use on vertical and short-take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft is disclosed. Gas generators located around the periphery of the fan drive the fan through action on a fan blade-tip turbine or provide compressed gas (hot or cold) to circulation control devices. Variable pitch fan blades improve part-power cruise performance. Enclosed in a nacelle, the engine employs circulation control to enhance V/STOL performance. In some embodiments, a core cruise turbine gas generator mounted in the center of the fan duct powers the fan during cruise mode. In some hybrid gas and electric power embodiments, the core cruise gas generator is replaced by an electric motor that draws power from a battery in the fuselage. The battery may be charged by an electric generator driven by a gas generator around the periphery of the fan.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Sandor Wayne Shapery
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Patent number: 9776715Abstract: An amphibious vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned device is provided. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device includes a modular and expandable waterproof body, an outer body shell, a gimbaled swivel propulsion system comprising a plurality of VTOL jet engines and VTOL ducted fans, a processor, electronic speed controllers, a two-way telemetry device, a video transmitter, a radio control receiver, a power distribution board, an electrical machine, an onboard electricity generator comprising a plurality of solar cells, a light detection and ranging device, an ultrasonic radar sensor, a plurality of sensors, a tail configured to stabilize the amphibious VTOL unmanned device, a head VTOL ducted fan adapted for VTOL, a plurality of wheels, a plurality of foldable wings configured to create a pressure difference and creating a lift, a plurality of parachutes configured to safely land the amphibious VTOL unmanned device in an emergency.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventors: Andrew H B Zhou, Dylan T X Zhou, Tiger T G Zhou