Patents Issued in January 22, 2019
  • Patent number: 10184557
    Abstract: Shift device for vehicle includes housing and shift lever. Shift lever includes cylindrical shaft portion which proximal end is pivotably supported inside housing, cylindrical shaft portion having elongated holes extending through peripheral wall of cylindrical shaft portion and are elongated in longitudinal direction of cylindrical shaft portion, shift knob fixed to distal end of cylindrical shaft portion, detent pin inserted through elongated holes in state where both ends of detent pin protrude from corresponding elongated holes, detent rod inserted in cylindrical shaft portion, detent rod being configured to transmit operating force of operating button in shift knob to detent pin, and shift lock member. Detent pin is fitted to detent rod. When operating button has been operated in state where brake depression operation is not performed, shift lock member contacts with one end of detent pin to block movement of detent pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TSUDA INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, MANNOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shori Kato, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Kitahara, Saburo Kato, Hironori Mizuno, Takayoshi Masuda, Hideaki Ito
  • Patent number: 10184558
    Abstract: A control unit (10) includes a microcontroller (100) that sets a duty ratio corresponding to a target current value of a linear solenoid (7a) and an ASIC (200) that supplies electricity to the linear solenoid (7a) based on the duty ratio. The microcontroller (100) includes a correction unit (110) that corrects a driving current value detected by a current sensor (300). The ASIC (200) includes a correction unit (206) that corrects the driving current value detected by the current sensor (300). A feedback amount selection unit (112) selects either one of the driving current value corrected by the correction unit (110) or the driving current value corrected by the correction unit (206) as a feedback amount corresponding to the target current value. A dual correction system is provided in a feedback control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nomura, Koji Yuasa
  • Patent number: 10184559
    Abstract: A device for selecting an operating mode of a transmission of a vehicle is presented. The device has a control panel thereby, having at least one selector switch for selecting an operating mode, and one release switch for enabling a function of the at least one selector switch. The release switch has a touch sensitive button, serving as a first interface to a sensor circuit for enabling the function of the at least one selector switch. The sensor circuit has a second interface on an actuator for a driving function of the vehicle thereby. The sensor circuit can be closed by producing an electrically conductive connection between the first interface and the second interface via a driver region of an interior space of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Lemförder Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Pfeifer, Andreas Peukert
  • Patent number: 10184560
    Abstract: There is provided a range switching device that can switch the shift ranges by use of a mechanical driving force source even when the motor does not normally function. The range switching device includes an output axle coupled with the shift shaft of an automatic transmission, a motor, an elastic driving device whose driving force source is elastic energy of an elastic member, and a coupling mechanism that couples the output axle, the motor, and the elastic driving device with one another; the elastic driving device has a holding mechanism in which there can be performed switching between a holding state where accumulated elastic energy is held and a releasing state where the elastic energy is released so as to drive the output axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Uryu, Masayuki Aota
  • Patent number: 10184561
    Abstract: A transmission includes a hydraulic system connected to a hydraulic pump and to an additional hydraulic pump. A secondary pressure circuit is connectable to a primary pressure circuit with a system pressure valve. A pressure side of the hydraulic pump is coupled directly with the primary pressure circuit and connectable to the secondary pressure circuit with the system pressure valve. A pressure side of the additional hydraulic pump is coupled directly with the secondary pressure circuit. The pressure side of the hydraulic pump proximate the secondary pressure circuit is connectable to a gear set, to a dual-clutch system and to a suction area of the hydraulic pump and the additional hydraulic pump by a valve device. The pressure side of the additional hydraulic pump is in connection with the gear set and is connectable with the dual-clutch system by the valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Novak, Tobias Pfleger
  • Patent number: 10184562
    Abstract: A device includes an outer cylinder having a cylinder inner wall and a cylinder outer wall and at least one magnet disposed on or between the cylinder inner wall and the cylinder outer wall and a piston having a piston inner wall and a piston outer wall and at least one magnet disposed on or between the piston outer wall and the piston inner wall. In one embodiment, the piston is rotatable within the cylinder and slidably movable along an axis respective to the cylinder. The piston is also disposed within the cylinder such that the at least one magnet disposed on or between the cylinder inner wall and the cylinder outer wall is aligned with the at least one magnet disposed on or between the piston outer wall and the piston inner wall, substantially preventing the piston from rotating relative to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Monroe Kuhns
  • Patent number: 10184563
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for use in a reciprocating piston compressor includes first and second seal rings engaged along respective side surfaces, and first and second cover rings disposed around the first and second seal rings such that the outside diameters of the first and second seal rings engage the inside diameters of the first and second cover rings, respectively. A support ring is engaged with the first seal ring and the first cover ring. A backup ring is engaged with the second seal ring and the second cover ring. In some embodiments, the first seal ring has a width that is smaller than a width of the second seal ring. In other embodiments the second seal ring has a circumferential groove formed on an inside surface thereof, the groove disposed directly adjacent the first seal ring. In further embodiments, the seal rings are formed of PEEK with a nano-material additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Howden Thomassen Compressors BV
    Inventors: Laurentius Gerardus Maria Koop, Petrus Nicolaas Duineveld
  • Patent number: 10184564
    Abstract: Spring energized seal assemblies configured for use in static or dynamic application and methods of using and making same are provided. The seal assemblies can each have a sealing component and optionally a backup ring or a locking ring or both. An annular spring can be used with a spring groove of either the backup ring or the locking to facilitate assembling of the mentioned components of a seal assembly onto each other and the entire seal assembly into a seal cavity of a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Hamid Rastegar
  • Patent number: 10184565
    Abstract: A mechanical end face seal having an induction heated seal ring is provided to be used for sealing high-viscosity thermo-sensitive fluids in pressure containing rotating equipment. The different embodiments particularly provide a sealing member fixed to the housing, the sealing element is constructed using ferromagnetic materials. An induction coil attached to a power source is installed outside the housing, said induction coil is supplied with an alternating current producing a time dependent magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the aforementioned sealing member generating heat thus affecting the operating temperatures of the sealing member and hence the interface temperature to achieve greater sealing efficiency, longer seal life and faster equipment startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio Raul Leal
  • Patent number: 10184566
    Abstract: A valve unit with a valve having a valve shaft with a rotational axis. The valve unit including an actuator having an actuator shaft with a rotational axis. The valve unit includes a mechanical coupler for rotational coupling of the actuator shaft and the valve shaft. The mechanical coupler includes a rotational axis coinciding with the rotational axis of the actuator shaft and the rotational axis of the valve shaft. The valve unit includes a first rotational member coupled to the actuator shaft and a second rotational member coupled to the valve shaft. The valve unit includes a bridge element. The first and the second rotational members include slots for receiving engagement pins of the bridge element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bosal Emission Control Systems NV
    Inventor: Vik Haesen
  • Patent number: 10184567
    Abstract: A butterfly valve has a housing that has an annular valve seat and a butterfly disk that has an annular valve seat. At least one of the valve seats is a spring seat that has an annular mounting portion and an axially opposite annular engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to contact the other valve seat and resiliently deform radially under hoop stress caused by the contact as the butterfly disk moves to the closed position. The engagement portion is connected to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk by the mounting portion. The mounting portion is attached to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk in a manner such that the mounting portion can articulate relative to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk as the engagement portion resiliently deforms radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10184568
    Abstract: A bi-directional cryogenic rotary valve having a housing defining a fluid passageway, a control member rotatably disposed within the fluid passageway, and a seal assembly positioned along an inner surface of the housing to provide a bubble tight seal between the housing and the control member. The rotary valve adapted to operate at or near cryogenic temperatures (i.e., at ?160° C.) while maintaining an effective seal in both the forward and reverse directions. The rotary valve being capable of retrofitting against wear and operational stress sustained from repeated use and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon M. Lenhert, Aaron V. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10184569
    Abstract: Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may include a main body, a valve seat body, a poppet, a spring retainer, spring, and a packing. The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seat body may include: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Engineering Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Thomas, Michael T. Glavin, Jeffrey S. Howard
  • Patent number: 10184570
    Abstract: The vacuum valve includes a closure member that can be moved, parallel to a longitudinal movement direction, between an open position in which it unblocks the valve opening and an intermediate position in which it covers the valve opening but is raised off the valve seat, and that can be moved, parallel to a transverse movement direction, between the intermediate position and a closed position in which it bears against the valve seat; a valve rod that bears the closure member is mounted for displacement parallel to the longitudinal and transverse movement directions; a displacement part rigidly connected to the valve rod; and a drive motor which rotates a driveshaft about an axis parallel to the longitudinal movement direction in order to move the closure member between the open position, the intermediate position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventors: Christoph Bohm, Roman Steffen
  • Patent number: 10184571
    Abstract: A valve structure with an elastic anti-leakage member includes a spool, a seat, and a switch. The spool body has at least one inner notch formed on a side of the spool body, and the inner notch has at least one elastic anti-leakage member installed in the inner notch, and the seat has an inner chamber with an internal cavity wall. The spool is contained in an inner of the seat, and the elastic anti-leakage member installed in the inner chamber of the inner notch of the spool body has a surface elastically abutting against the internal cavity wall of the inner chamber of the seat to achieve a good water anti-leakage effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: Chao-Chi Chen, Shen-En Chiang
  • Patent number: 10184572
    Abstract: A valve arrangement including a sealing element is provided. The valve arrangement includes a housing having a port. A rotary valve body includes an opening, and the rotary valve body is arranged within the housing. The port of the housing and the opening of the rotary valve body are alignable with each other via rotation of the rotary valve body in the housing. A sealing element is arranged within the port. The sealing element includes a seal body having a first axial end engaged against the rotary valve body and a second axial end including a resilient axially compressible portion that engages against a seat in the housing. The resilient axially compressible portion of the sealing element preloads the sealing element axially against the rotary valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Joseph Morein
  • Patent number: 10184573
    Abstract: There is described a powder isolating valve which is capable of sealing valves from powder leakage during transport of powder and/or granular material. The valve comprises a rotatable valve closure member (14) and a pneumatically activated sealing mechanism containing a pair of resiliently deformable structures (18,20) extending around a surface of the rotatable valve closure member when the latter is in its closed position, the pair of resiliently deformable structures being held in a pair of annular recesses (32,34) which also extend around an surface of the rotatable valve closure member in its closed position, wherein the pair of resiliently deformable structures are capable of being pneumatically activated to force a sealing ring (26) against the rotatable valve closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Clyde Process Limited
    Inventor: Brian Snowdon
  • Patent number: 10184574
    Abstract: A heating or cooling installation control valve includes a movable valve element which is arranged in a valve space (8), as well as at least two connection channels (24, 26) which each have a first end in fluidic connection with the valve space (8) and have an opposite second end (A, B) for connection to a fluid-leading component. A sealing element (18) is arranged in at least one of the connection channels (24, 26) at a first end thereof. The sealing element is in contact with the valve element (6). The at least one connection channel (24, 26), in which the sealing element (18) is arranged, in addition to the second end (A, B), includes an assembly opening, through which the sealing element (18) can be inserted into the connection channel (24) and removed from of the connection channel (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Kåre Iversen, Torben Heilskov Overgaard
  • Patent number: 10184575
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a base configured to detachably mount to a mounting surface; a sleeve coupled to and extending upwardly from the base; a handle body disposed around the sleeve and configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the handle body including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending outward from a side of the vertical portion; a first valve disposed within the base; a second valve disposed within the horizontal portion of the handle body; and a spout configured to receive water from the sleeve and direct the water to an outlet of the spout; where the vertical portion of the handle body is configured to be rotated about the vertical axis to control the first valve, and the horizontal portion of the handle body is configured to be rotated about a horizontal axis to control the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Anaël Tasserit, Gaëtan Wangon, Jean Hugues Soulier, Olivier Chalancon
  • Patent number: 10184576
    Abstract: A pressure control valve has a housing including a valve seat and defining a fluid path therein, a valve body including a support member and a valve member, and a spring biasing the valve body toward the valve seat in a valve closing direction. The valve member is an integrated molding including a seal member and a reinforcement member that reinforces the seal member. The seal member is made from a rubber-like elastic material and includes a seal portion that is configured to be seated on the valve seat. The reinforcement member is engaged with the support member without using a separate member such as adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiaki Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 10184577
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a housing extending axially along a center axis of the check valve assembly from a first end to a second end. The housing can include an opening disposed at the first end and an outlet disposed at the second end. A seat is disposed in the opening and connected to the tubular housing. The seat includes an inlet extending axially through the seat. A ball is disposed inside the tubular housing and disposed axially between the seat and the outlet. The ball is larger in diameter than the inlet. A ball guide is disposed inside the tubular housing and is disposed axially between the ball and the outlet. A spring is disposed inside the tubular housing and disposed axially between the ball guide and the outlet. The spring is compressed between the ball guide and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Willoughby, David M. Behrens
  • Patent number: 10184578
    Abstract: The invention generally provides a static back pressure regulator. In exemplary embodiments, the static back pressure regulator includes a seat that defines part of a fluid pathway, a poppet, a spring arranged to bias the poppet toward the seat to restrict fluid flow through the fluid pathway, and a calibration element configured to adjust a force applied to the poppet by the spring. The calibration element can include a through hole that forms part of the fluid pathway. The poppet can include a first guiding portion that extends into the through hole of the calibration element and inhibits tipping of the poppet relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua A. Shreve, Charles T. Murphy, Paul Keenan, Ryan M. Hill, Sylvain Cormier
  • Patent number: 10184579
    Abstract: Fluid apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example fluid apparatus includes a valve body defining a fluid flow passageway and a plurality of valve seats. A flow control member is positioned in the fluid flow passageway of the valve body. The flow control member having a plurality of disks. A respective one of the disks moves relative to a respective one of the valve seats to control fluid flow through the valve body. The flow control member is adjustable relative to a longitudinal axis of the valve body to provide a preload to the disks. Each of the disks has a cracking pressure corresponding to the preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher C. Veto, Gary D. Grayson, Victor J. Barackman
  • Patent number: 10184580
    Abstract: A pressure/vacuum relief system having one or more pressure relief/vacuum valve assemblies disposed within the controlled atmosphere room and a vent pipe to provide two-way fluid communication between the relief valve assembly and the outside environment. The relief valve assembly may be a split valve arrangement that includes a pressure valve that opens in response to positive pressure in the controlled atmosphere room and a vacuum valve that opens response to negative pressure in the controlled atmosphere room. The pressure and vacuum valves may be incorporated into a single valve body on opposite sides of a shared chamber that is coupled to the vent pipe. In one embodiment, the vent pipe is fitted through an external wall of the controlled atmosphere room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Storage Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schaefer, Darius L. Warne
  • Patent number: 10184581
    Abstract: A relief valve includes: a case; a valve seat provided in a channel; a poppet valve that opens and closes the channel by being seated on and separated from the valve seat; a spring that biases, at a first end, the poppet valve in a direction in which the poppet valve is seated on the valve seat; an adjusting screw that is threaded into the case and changes, in accordance with a threaded depth, a distance between the valve seat and a bearing surface, which is in contact with a second end of the spring; and a positioning plate that has an engaging hole with which a projected portion of the adjusting screw is engaged such that relative rotation is not allowed and that restricts rotation of the adjusting screw by being fixed to an end surface of the case and by being brought into contact with the adjusting screw only at a side surface of the projected portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10184582
    Abstract: A safety valve releases a fluid in the event of a fire. To do so it comprises a valve shutter in a body for opening or closing a pipe containing the fluid. A first spring is kept under tension against heat-sensitive means for releasing the valve shutter when the tension is released by the sensitive means. The sensitive means comprise a piston acting on the first spring, a pipe being connected to a chamber delimited in the body by the piston on the opposite side to the first spring. The pipe and the chamber contain a pressurized control fluid so that the piston keeps the first spring under tension. The pipe is made of a material capable of melting at a predetermined temperature so as to release the fluid in the event of a fire around the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHRADER
    Inventors: Sébastien Robert, Hérve Lonchampt, Benoit Gresset
  • Patent number: 10184583
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that is suitable for use in a fuel fill line. The valve assembly may include a housing having a flange that surrounds the housing. A weld foot can be molded over at least a portion of the flange. A lip seal may be disposed between the flange and the weld foot. The lip seal includes a first lip and a second lip, and the first lip and the second lip may both be in contact with a surface on one of the flange and the weld foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Paul D. Walkowski
  • Patent number: 10184584
    Abstract: A magnetic valve device includes a valve receiving device and a valve insert of a magnetic valve which is received in the valve receiving device. A high pressure resistance is obtained in one of the modes of embodiment. The magnetic valve device includes either a pressure mechanism configured to press the valve insert against the valve receiving element or a sealing element arranged in a notch in the valve insert or a sealing element arranged between an axial filter and the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Heyer, Frank Kaestner, Erich Ludewig, Massimiliano Ambrosi, Fakheredine Keyrouz, Rene Schepp, Norbert Alaze
  • Patent number: 10184585
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve includes a movable valve, and an electromagnetic solenoid. The electromagnetic solenoid has a bobbin including a body part, a flange part in which a recess portion is defined to recess inward in a radial direction, and an extension part extending at a position between the flange part and the body part to connect a bottom surface of the recess portion to a body surface of the body part. The extension part has a projection projected outward in the radial direction from a position between the body part and a connection part connecting a winding wire to a terminal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO KOREA AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keita Okada, Masahiro Tomita, Sanghun Lee, Jaehun Jeong
  • Patent number: 10184586
    Abstract: An electronic device having an interior volume, the electronic device including a sealing mechanism to prevent ingress of water into the interior cavity. The sealing mechanism having a channel having a first opening at an external environment and a second opening that leads to the interior volume, a membrane that covers the second opening, the membrane being air permeable and water resistant such that the membrane allows air to pass and prevents passage of water up to an upper pressure threshold, a stopper mechanism, and a diaphragm comprising a surface arranged to receive an external water pressure and that is air and water impermeable, the diaphragm being coupled to the stopper mechanism that deflects in response to the water pressure such that the diaphragm actuates the stopper mechanism and seals off the channel from at the first opening preventing water pressure at the membrane from exceeding the upper pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik G. de Jong, Brad G. Boozer, William C. Lukens, David M. Pelletier, Eugene Fox
  • Patent number: 10184587
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for underwater salvage of a pipeline, pipe section, pipe, tubular, elongated object, riser, beam or the like. A specially configured tool both grips and cuts the pipe (or object) at a selected locale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: VERSABAR, INC.
    Inventor: Jon Khachaturian
  • Patent number: 10184588
    Abstract: A tensioner pad assembly is adapted to be mounted on an endless track of a tensioner to frictionally clamp an elongated product supported and moved by the tensioner. The pad assembly includes a carrier member and a pair of gripping members, which gripping members can with their carrier member mating surfaces be mounted in multiple discrete gripping positions on gripping member mating surfaces of the carrier member. The mating surfaces form interlocking structures adapted to transfer a squeeze force from the carrier member to the gripping members. The interlocking structures provided on the carrier member define the multiple discrete gripping positions. The gripping member mating surfaces extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the multiple discrete gripping positions differ in their distance to the base portion as well as in their distance to the imaginary plane of the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Jeroen Adrianus Joseph Donkers, Joop Roodenburg, Jilles Mattheus De Klerk
  • Patent number: 10184589
    Abstract: A riser assembly and method of supporting a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser; at least one buoyancy compensating element attached to the riser; and at least one damped biasing element for controlling movement of the riser about a neutral position with respect to an adjacent underwater structure. The biasing element is directly or indirectly connected to the riser and is directly or indirectly connectable to the adjacent underwater structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Yanqiu Zhang, Zhimin Tan, Yucheng Hou, Jiabei Yuan
  • Patent number: 10184590
    Abstract: The present invention is for coating a surface area of a gap in the coating of a pipeline, said surface area having a length along the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline and a width of at least part of the circumference of the pipeline. The device according to the invention comprises: a frame; a spray nozzle support element supporting a number of spray nozzles; a linear motion mechanism configured for translating the spray nozzle support element relative to the frame and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and support members configured for arranging the frame stationary relative to the pipeline with said longitudinal axis of said frame coinciding with the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bluemarine Offshore Yard Service, B.V.
    Inventors: Martijn Paulus Maria Krutzen, André Luur Jan Steenhuis
  • Patent number: 10184591
    Abstract: A cable clamp includes an elongated, open-top base having a first end, a second end, and a central region. A suspension arm extends from the open-top base. An eyelet having an opening, a top portion, and a base portion is coupled to the suspension arm. The eyelet base portion has a first width and the top portion has a second width greater than the first width. A keeper is coupled to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: John E. Sakmar, Joshua C. Wilson, Jacob A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10184592
    Abstract: A gutter extension holding device which inserts at a terminal portion of a gutter extension includes a connecting piece or cap having four side portions which operate as a collar around the extension and at least one tab extending rearward and defining a channel configured to receive a terminal end of the extension. The device includes a stake to insert in the ground to retain the extension in position. The channel is tapered to accommodate a friction fit of the inserted extension, and a frame outlines a flow opening of the device against which the extension abuts. In one aspect three tabs are configured to receive the extension, where a bottom side portion is devoid of a tab to accommodate uninhibited flow of water or materials from the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Robert Rosendahl
  • Patent number: 10184593
    Abstract: A partition is penetrated by a duct. The partition has a passage through which the duct passes. A fire stop sleeve is positioned in the passage and arranged around the duct. The fire stop sleeve includes a casing having a tubular form and one or more elements of intumescent material arranged on a side of the casing facing the duct. The casing is provided with at least one movable retaining member which lies within an outer contour of the casing. The movable retaining member is actuable by intumescent material such that, in the occasion that swelling of the intumescent material occurs, the retaining member is moved radially outward towards engagement with a passage wall in the partition so as to retain the sleeve in the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: J. van Walraven Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Pijpstra, Frank Nijdam
  • Patent number: 10184594
    Abstract: A composite pipe and method of manufacture comprises an inner core coated with a resinous material, a prepreg material helically wound about the inner core and an outer shell covering the wound prepreg materials. The materials are applied at preselected melt temperatures to assure coherence among the materials and preclusion of voids and/or annuli therebetween. The melt temperature of the inner core is greater than the melt temperature of the coating and prepeg layers such that the heating needed to cohere these materials has no deleterious effect on the integrity of the inner pipe core. A cooling of the inner pipe core during initial application of the tape layer of prepreg materials stabilizes the radial configuration of the pipe core during tape wrapping and thus the appearance of undesirable voids and/or annuli in the composite pipe mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Todd A. Volker
  • Patent number: 10184595
    Abstract: A duct of the present invention includes a pair of groove-shaped members which are formed of sound absorbing sheets and a pair of flange portions which are formed of parts of the pair of groove-shaped members that are extended outward from groove opening edges and which are joined in an overlaid state on each other when the pair of groove-shaped members are arranged such that groove openings are opposed to each other. The pair of flange portions includes a seal portion which is formed by crimping the sound absorbing sheets in parts of the flange portions along the groove opening edges and an outer thick portion which is extended outward from the seal portion and which is formed of the sound absorbing sheet thicker than the sound absorbing sheet of the seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: INOAC CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Sakakibara, Masahito Yabuoshi, Kengo Nakamura, Shinji Yamamoto, Hiromi Nakano
  • Patent number: 10184596
    Abstract: A connection structure between a pipe body and a joint of an aluminum alloy drill pipe comprises a first joint portion located at an end of the aluminum alloy pipe body and a second joint portion, wherein the first joint portion comprises an external cone section, an external threaded section and a first seal end face sequentially provided from inside to outside thereof, and a taper of the external cone section is smaller than that of the external threaded section; wherein the second joint portion is cylindrical and comprises an internal cone section fitted with the external cone section, an internal threaded section fitted with the external threaded section, a second seal end face, an elevator shoulder face, and a concave arc transition section between the internal cone section and the internal threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: CHINA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, CNPC TUBULAR GOODS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yonggang Liu, Fangpo Li, Qi Shi, Chun Feng
  • Patent number: 10184597
    Abstract: A thread form for a threaded connection comprising a plurality of threads, wherein at least a portion of each of the threads comprise a root having a root radius that extends from a point central to the root and having planar flanks extending from both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC
    Inventors: Wesley Freed, Mark C. Dille
  • Patent number: 10184598
    Abstract: An aircraft pipe coupling including a first pipe end and a second pipe end, and a locking washer disposed between the first pipe end and second pipe end. The locking washer including a first tab in engagement with the first pipe end, and a second tab in engagement with the second pipe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Alan Quayle, Samuel Evans
  • Patent number: 10184599
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and at least one annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap. The pipe coupling includes an armor positioned to span the gap between the spaced ends to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion having a plurality of corrugations engaging the split-ring gland and the gasket during compression of the gasket. The armor is cold formed to improve structural strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC
    Inventors: Edwin A. Bird, George D. Gabert
  • Patent number: 10184600
    Abstract: A coupling for connecting pipe ends, comprising a hollow body with an entrance for each pipe end provided with a radial seat for a pipe end and a coupling nut for clamping the pipe end, whereby an electrically conductive bridge is provided, which at the location of the seats is provided with a clamping element that is elastically deformable in the radial direction with respect to the respective seat, and is provided with a contact section, which in a rest situation is at a distance from the axis of the seat that is smaller than an outside radius of the pipe end for which the seat concerned is intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Jan Pieter Robert Corne, Bert Hendrik Hilda Meul
  • Patent number: 10184601
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a kit for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe. The kit includes an elastomeric coupling sleeve provided with top and bottom ends sized to snugly fit within the respective first and second pipes. The coupling sleeve includes top, intermediate and bottom portions and an inner surface that defines a passageway. A first passageway portion extends between the top and intermediate portions and a second passageway portion extends between the intermediate and bottom portions. The first passageway portion tapers toward the intermediate portion and has threading formed along the inner surface. The second passageway portion tapers toward the intermediate portion and has threading formed along the inner surface. The kit also includes top and bottom rigid expansion rings that have threading formed along their outer surfaces configured for engagement with the threading formed along the inner surface of the first and second passageway portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Norman Brown
  • Patent number: 10184602
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with: a cylindrical main body section that is provided with at least one annular rib on the outer circumferential surface; and a deforming section that is configured from a bellows that can be deformed in an axis line direction and diameter direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuro Koda, Jumpei Nishioka, Kenichi Nishiyama, Hiroaki Usui
  • Patent number: 10184603
    Abstract: A pipe end fitting assembly that includes an outer body having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a first bore, and an end surface, and an inner body having an inner surface defining a second bore and an outer surface. A portion of the inner body outer surface is secured to the outer body inner surface. A passage formed in the outer body includes a first portion extending from the end surface and parallel to the first bore, and a second portion extending from the outer body outer surface to the passage first portion. A pipe end is disposed around and secured to a portion of the inner body outer surface. A jacket is disposed around the pipe and has an end secured to the outer body outer surface. The passage portions are in fluid communication with each other and a space between the jacket and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Hegler, Andrew James Heaton
  • Patent number: 10184604
    Abstract: A fluid manifold includes an elongated hollow body forming an inner area, having: a first end extending to a second end; and a top surface and a bottom surface; a cylindrical conduit having a length that extends through the inner area, the cylindrical conduit forming a channel that is fluidly separable from the inner area of the elongated hollow body, the cylindrical conduit extending through the first end of the elongated hollow body; a plurality of exit ports in fluid communication with the inner area and extending at a perpendicular angle relative to the cylindrical conduit; a mounting plate secured to the plurality of exit ports; a first row of a plurality of cutouts extending through the thickness of the elongated body, the first row of the plurality of cutouts providing fluid passage between the channel of the cylindrical conduit and the inner area of the elongated body; and a second row of a plurality of cutouts extending through the thickness of the elongated body, the second row of the plurality of c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Howard Russell York
  • Patent number: 10184605
    Abstract: A hand tool that is capable of efficiently, inexpensively, and quickly attaching to a pipe and allows for boring an access hole to be used for accessing the inside of the pipe and unclogging the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: John Reid, Kevin Reid, Eric Reid, Ryan Reid
  • Patent number: 10184606
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera including a light receiving section and a camera body incorporating the light receiving section. An outside surface of the camera body has, at least on a portion thereof, a curve surface curving around a rotation centerline extending along a left-right direction, and the curve surface is formed at least at portions positioned opposite to each other around the rotation centerline when the camera body is seen in the left-right direction. Also disclosed herein is a stand including a camera holding section configured to hold the outside of the camera. The camera holding section is formed so as to enclose the outside surface of the camera at an angle of at least 180 degrees when seen in the left-right direction, and the camera holding section has an inside surface formed so as to make the camera rotatable around the rotation centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi Nokuo, Katsuhisa Tadano, Kenji Kawashima