Patents Issued in October 15, 2019
  • Patent number: 10442481
    Abstract: Conventional internal combustion engine technology has been around for decades and historically has been the primary power source for virtually all industrial equipment. It relies on carbon-based fuels, is loud, polluting, and the machines it powers are expensive to operate and maintain. A self-contained, rechargeable battery system is provided that possesses superior power than comparable diesel and gas engines. The rechargeable battery power system generates zero emissions, is virtually maintenance free, is quiet, and recharges overnight via a standard electrical outlet. The rechargeable battery power system can be installed in new and used construction equipment (light towers, excavators, generators) and may be used wherever a source of power is required, for example, in vans and boats, and in supplemental power systems including smart grid applications. It can be safely used indoors, in neighborhoods and other locations sensitive to the side effects of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: OSC, Manufacturing & Equipment Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Solomon Podolefsky
  • Patent number: 10442482
    Abstract: A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, Michael R. Dugas
  • Patent number: 10442483
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bicycle alarm device, including a main body and a connection mechanism connected with a bicycle. The main body comprises controller. The controller includes an upper cover and a lower cover connected with the upper cover. A first waterproof rubber ring is positioned between the upper cover and the lower cover. The main body also includes a battery compartment. One end of the battery compartment is connected with the controller, and the other end is connected with the connection mechanism. The battery compartment includes a compartment body and a compartment cover. A second waterproof rubber ring is positioned between the compartment body and the compartment cover. The present disclosure has good waterproof effect, and can effectively protect the controller and electrical parts in the battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Haoyu Xing
  • Patent number: 10442484
    Abstract: A bike saddle incorporating a bio-gel structure includes, arranged in a saddle, a foam material layer and a surface layer set on and covering a surface of the foam material layer. A plurality of spaced through holes is formed in the foam material layer. A bio-gel layer is formed on an undersurface of the foam material layer. A plurality of bio-gel blocks are respectively filled in the through holes of the foam material layer. Each of the bio-gel blocks has a top end in contact with an underside of the surface layer and a bottom end integrally connected with the bio-gel layer. The bio-gel layer provides a rider with comfortable riding experience and also achieves an antibacterial effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DDK Group Co., Ltd., Taiwan Branch
    Inventor: Ying-Chiao Sung
  • Patent number: 10442485
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for and method of bicycle signaling. The present invention provides an ease of setup on a wide variety and style of bicycle handlebars providing a magnet disposed on a bicycle brake lever and a control unit comprising sensors, also disposed on the bicycle handlebars. The present invention provides a wireless signaling apparatus and a wireless method of signaling. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for easy configuration and pairing of a bicycle light system. The present invention system provides for a plurality of lights that are configured and able to function independently in different patterns, including but not limited to a left turn signal, and a right turn signal, thus providing a wide array of pattern visibility and patterns that motor vehicle drivers are expecting to see.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Alex Applegate
  • Patent number: 10442486
    Abstract: A notification system notifies brake-related information related to braking of a rotation body of a human-powered vehicle. The notification system includes a notification unit that includes a notification device configured to notify a user of the brake-related information. The notification device is provided on at least one of a brake device braking the rotation body, an operation device operating the brake device, and a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takafumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 10442487
    Abstract: A lighting system capable of reducing a number of components and cost is provided. A back substrate, a lamp body including front support columns that guide and position the back substrate when the back substrate is attached, and a front substrate that is disposed in the lamp body to be stacked on the back substrate and is fixed to tip end portions of the front support columns are included. The front support columns perform guide and positioning of the back substrate, and fixing of the front substrate, and thereby the number of components and cost of the lamp body are reduced, as compared with a case where the guide portions, positioning portions and fixing portions of the back substrate and the front substrate are individually provided respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yosuke Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10442488
    Abstract: A bicycle electrical component is basically provided with a cover, a battery and a wireless communication unit. The cover is configured to cover an opening formed on a bicycle. The cover has a center plane bisecting the cover in a thickness direction of the cover, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the center plane. The battery configured to be attached to the cover and to be entirely disposed on one of the first side and the second side. The wireless communication unit is configured to be attached to the cover and to be entirely disposed on the other of the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kakinoki
  • Patent number: 10442489
    Abstract: A hand protection device for a handlebar of a vehicle is provided. The hand protection device includes a protective bracket that can be rigidly connected to the handlebar of the vehicle, and an extension element that is movably arranged relative to the protective bracket. The extension element can be fixed relative to the protective bracket in at least a first position and in a second position which is different from the first position. More than one extension element may be provided, and the extension element second positions may be above or below the handlebar. The vehicle may be a motorbike or a scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Hofer, Helmut Diehl
  • Patent number: 10442490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable tricycle, operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an attendant pushing the tricycle. The tricycle comprising: a pair of rear wheels; a foldable seat comprising a chair and a back support, for accommodating said tricycle rider; a foldable arm rest, connected to said foldable seat; a parental handle, for steering said tricycle by said attendant pushing the tricycle; a main frame, configured to rotatably hold said rear support, to support said foldable seat, to rotatably support said rider handle, to rotatably support said fork; and a latching mechanism, capable of locking and unlocking the rotatable movement, of the rear support, in relations to the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SMART TRIKE MNF PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Yoram Baron
  • Patent number: 10442491
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a straddle-type vehicle that enables reducing the number of components. Between front forks at the bottom edge of a top bridge configuring a motorcycle, a stay is provided which supports turn signals on each of the front forks. In this case, the stay is configured from a single member. Further, a stay fixing unit for fixing the stay and a first front fork fixing unit for fixing the front forks are provided on the top bridge. By this means, it is possible for the stay to be a single common member that supports turn signals on each of the front forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 10442492
    Abstract: An articulating bicycle stem is disclosed herein wherein the stem comprising a handlebar-receiving region, a rotatable member receiving region, a rotatable inner member connected to the handlebar receiving member and received in an outer casing of the rotatable member receiving region. A stem body intervenes the rotatable member receiving region and a steering tube connector. The rotatable member receiving region may include a first releasable locking mechanism for selectively securing the rotatable inner member and inhibiting rotation of the rotatable inner member relative to the outer casing, and thus the handlebars, in at least one of a storage position or a riding position. A method of reducing the footprint of a bicycle is also provided and a kit of part therefor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Timothy K Taylor
  • Patent number: 10442493
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated disc brake caliper group with a fixing side faced towards a load-bearing element when mounted on it. The fixing side is configured to substantially rest directly on the load-bearing element, and a hydraulic connector is positioned at the fixing side of the caliper body. This configuration makes it possible to house the tube entirely in the load-bearing element of the bicycle, and to have complete closure of the opening on the load-bearing element. Furthermore, if vibrations generated while the bicycle is in motion loosen the fasteners, they can be retightened without having to dismount the caliper group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 10442494
    Abstract: A snow vehicle having a combined brake and clutch handle is herein disclosed. Further, the snow vehicle can include a controller for managing operation of the snow vehicle, including shifting and engine management regiments, which can be selected by the operator depending upon operator preferences. Additionally, the snow vehicle can include an engine cooling heat exchanger for cooling liquid which is circulated through the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin David Thompson, Ricky Allen Warne, Andrew Jon Ellsworth, Cord M. Christensen, Andrew Beavis
  • Patent number: 10442495
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating system includes first and second actuating devices and a hydraulic operated device. The first actuating device includes a first operating member, a first master cylinder and a first master piston. The first master piston moves in the first master cylinder in response to operation of the first operating member. The second actuating device includes a second operating member, a second master cylinder and a second master piston. The second master piston moves in the second master cylinder in response to operation of the second operating member. The hydraulic operated device includes a slave cylinder and a slave piston that is movably arranged in the slave cylinder. The slave cylinder has a slave fluid port that is connected to first and second fluid ports of the first and second master cylinders. Operation of either of the first and second operating members moves the slave piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Kariyama, Takahiro Yamashita, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10442496
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly comprises a sprocket support member. The sprocket support member comprises a central cylindrical portion and a plurality of sprocket support portions. The plurality of sprocket support portions extends radially outwardly from the central cylindrical portion with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle sprocket assembly. At least one sprocket support portion of the plurality of sprocket support portions comprises at least one radially extending surface, at least one axially extending surface, and an interior cavity. The at least one radially extending surface extends radially relative to the rotational center axis to support at least one of the at least one sprocket. The at least one axially extending surface extends in an axial direction parallel to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Tetsu Nonoshita, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10442497
    Abstract: An easy-adjustment bicycle gear-shifting system consisting of a microcontroller unit, a memory, a driver and a derailleur is disclosed. The memory has stored therein more than three position tables each containing the position information of the derailleur relative to the chainrings. The position information contained in one position table has a part or all different from the position information contained in every other position table. The position tables are arranged one after another in a proper order corresponding to one same chainring in such a manner that every two adjacent position tables are differed by a distance value corresponding to one same chainring. The microcontroller unit selects one position table, and drives the driver to shift the derailleur to the corresponding position according to the position information of the selected position table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AD-II Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 10442498
    Abstract: A motorized bicycle gearshift that is movable between first and second operative configurations and includes a pre-loaded elastic element that is responsive to gearshift changes between the first and second operative conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Pasqua
  • Patent number: 10442499
    Abstract: An actuation device of a control cable of a bicycle gearshift including a cable-winding bush rotatable about a rotation axis in a first angular direction between a first and a last angular position and in a second angular direction between the last and the first angular position, a rotary member mounted in a rotary manner about the rotation axis and a stationary member mounted in a non-rotary manner, wherein one of the two members is provided with at least one first pointer engaged on a fastening track formed on the other member, the fastening track extending along a closed loop path and having at least one first plurality of stop positions engageable in sequence by the pointer. A first stop position that determines the first angular position of the cable-winding bush is angularly spaced from the next stop position by an indexing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Christian Marangon
  • Patent number: 10442500
    Abstract: A watercraft structure (100) comprises a hull (110) and a lifting surface (120) connected to the hull (110) and immersed at least partially in water, said lifting surface (120) adapted to generate a lift force suitable for supporting the hull (110), said lifting surface (120) comprising a movable portion (125) arranged to rotate relatively to the watercraft (100), between a position of higher lift and a position of lower lift. The watercraft structure (100) also comprises an actuating mechanism (130) arranged to actuate the movable portion (125) between the above described positions. The actuating mechanism (130) comprises a containing volume comprising a first chamber (141) at a pressure Pa and a second chamber (142) at a pressure Pb divided by a septum (145), said septum (145) having a first face (145a) having surface Sa and oriented towards the first chamber (141) and a second face (145b) having surface Sb and oriented towards the second chamber (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Elia Perotto
  • Patent number: 10442501
    Abstract: A system and method for deterring theft of a marine vehicles is provided. The system is designed to collect barometric pressure data and analyze it to determine whether there has been a sudden change in elevation that may be indicative of a theft. The system is also designed to collect environmental data pertaining to a marine vehicle's normal environment and compare it to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle in order to detect changes that may be indicative of a theft. Additionally, the system is designed to monitor equipment of the marine vehicle and alert a user if the equipment has been moved in a way that may be indicative of a theft. When the system determines an event has occurred that may be indicative of a theft, the system may alert the user by triggering an alarm via a computer readable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Fishing Chaos, Inc.
    Inventor: John Calagaz
  • Patent number: 10442502
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorbing arrangement suitable e.g. for ship installed structures comprising a rod, a resilient member arranged in connection to the rod, a structure element and a locking member arranged in connection to the structure element. The locking member is arranged to detachably lock the structure element at a resting position at the rod and the locking member, or the structure element, is supported by the resilient member. The resilient member is configured such that a spring force of the resilient member acts to maintain the structure element essentially at the resting position at the rod. The locking member is further configured to release the structure element from the resting position when being exposed to a force exceeding a predetermined holding force, whereupon the resilient member acts to reinstate the locking of the structure element at the resting position at the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Bernt Norrman
  • Patent number: 10442503
    Abstract: A tubing member includes an outer periphery delimiting a tubing interior and a slot opening therein. A channel is positioned adjacent the slot opening in the tubing interior and is integral with the outer periphery. The channel is accessible via the slot opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Shearer, Dennis J. Parniske
  • Patent number: 10442504
    Abstract: A safety access system for use on floats, typically in the field of water and wastewater treatment, the system including rotatable and removable handrails and sockets attached to the float to receive the handrails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Knight, William G. Decker
  • Patent number: 10442505
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus comprises: a base part, a lifting rope, a sheave assembly, a first rotatably mounted sheave, around which the rope passes and from which the rope extends downwardly to a load, a second rotatably mounted sheave and a drive for moving the sheave assembly. The sheave assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base part about an axis of pivoting spaced from the axis of rotation of the first sheave and coincident with the axis of rotation of the second sheave. During movement of the load relative to the base part, the first sheave is moved by the drive to compensate for that relative movement, the movement of the first sheave being such that the vertical component of the movement of the first sheave relative to the load is less than the vertical component of the movement of the base part relative to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Huot, Carlo Chiodini, Liborio Moceri
  • Patent number: 10442506
    Abstract: The invention discloses a universal offshore platform. The platform includes a truss body forming the support system of the platform. the truss body is a three-dimensional stable rigid support and comprises an underwater surface layer, a water surface layer and an overwater surface layer from bottom to top. It comprises a first floating body component, a second floating body component and several sporadic single floating bodies. The universal offshore platform of the present invention can be used independently, be used as a constitutional unit of a marine base and is less adversely affected by the wave motion. A buoyancy regulation method based on a universal offshore platform ensures stability of the platform and a power generation system based on the universal offshore platform takes full advantage of the energy of the waves to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: QUANZHOU DINGWEI CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jianhui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10442507
    Abstract: A buoyant offshore structure, comprising a hull element (6a) having an inner space (10), a surface end (12) and an underwater end (14); and at least one storage tank (15a) for liquid, extending from the surface end (12) of the hull element into the inner space (10), wherein the storage tank is removable from the inner space by lifting from the hull element's surface end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajiv Kamal, Gregory Wolfgang Alford
  • Patent number: 10442508
    Abstract: A two-section kayak is disclosed where a user can create a gap between a kayak front section and a kayak back section, and use this gap to enter and exit the water. Connecting poles are preferably used to create the gap and retain structural integrity of the kayak when the two sections are separated. A variety of foot stirrups and ladders are contemplated to allow a user to more easily reenter the kayak through the gap. One or more gap alcoves are contemplated to store a stirrup or ladder and to allow the user ready access to swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving accessories while in the gap. A viewing portal, and a hanging seat/platform are contemplated for attachment in the gap, to allow users a more varied kayaking experience. An optional third kayak section is contemplated to add storage space or turn a single kayak into a double kayak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Hallett
  • Patent number: 10442509
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods that improves the speed, functionality, and safety of wakeboat ballasting operations. A ballasting apparatus for wakeboats is provided, comprising a wakeboat with a hull and an engine; a hydraulic pump, mechanically driven by the engine; a hydraulic motor, powered by the hydraulic pump; a ballast compartment; and a ballast pump, powered by the hydraulic motor. A ballasting apparatus for wakeboats is provided, comprising a wakeboat with a hull and an engine; a ballast compartment; and a hydraulic ballast pump, the ballast pump configured to be powered by the engine, the ballast outlet and/or inlet of the ballast pump connected to the ballast compartment, the ballast pump configured to pump ballast in and/or out of the ballast compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Richard L. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10442510
    Abstract: A floating wind turbine assembly, configured to self-stabilize in water without a fixed anchor. The floating wind turbine assembly has a wind turbine, joined to a turbine shaft. A beam anchor is joined to the turbine shaft. A hollow moving mass, arranged around the beam anchor, such that the hollow moving mass can be moved up or down the beam anchor. The hollow moving mass includes a pump, having a pump first end connected to the water with a first pump hose and a pump second end arranged within the hollow moving mass with a second pump hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Upy Designs LLC.
    Inventors: Carlos Prieto, Laura Nunez, Meir Messingher Lang, Daniel Curiel
  • Patent number: 10442511
    Abstract: A method for underwater exploration and/or recovery of objects and/or things using a submersible vehicle assembly and underwater powered observation system using a camera and source of light of a green laser to be directed to the underside of the surface of the water so as to locate the vehicle assembly by the green laser. In this manner the vehicle assembly may be utilized for the underwater tasks of locating objects and/or things on a surface of the underwater environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Cam Habeger
  • Patent number: 10442512
    Abstract: A system for autonomous ocean data collection includes at least one sensor capable of collecting sensor data, at least one transmission device, and at least one computing device comprising one or more hardware processors and memory coupled to the one or more hardware processors, the memory storing one or more instructions which, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the at least one computing device to generate data for transmission based on the sensor data collected by the at least one sensor, and cause the at least one transmission device to transmit the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Saildrone, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Elliott Jenkins, Dylan Owens
  • Patent number: 10442513
    Abstract: A method and a spinnaker launching and/or recovering system releasably attachable to the deck or integrated on the deck or into the hull of the sailboat for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker. The spinnaker setting and/or recovering system has a first spinnaker guide member, which is attachable, e.g., to the bow, a bowsprit or is built into the deck near the bow with an opening through which the tack line and/or a retrieval line attached to the clew corner or to the lower luff of an asymmetric spinnaker or retrieval lines attached to the tack corner and the clew corner or to the lower luff of a symmetric spinnaker. Running with the asymmetric spinnaker, tack corner may be taken forward by a second tack line operated from the cockpit. The first and second spinnaker guide members may be connected by a sleeve, e.g., made of textile, or a solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EJENDOMSSELSKABET AF 16. JANUAR 2015 APS
    Inventor: Henrik Bartholin
  • Patent number: 10442514
    Abstract: A human powered watercraft or land vehicle is described herein. A watercraft or land vehicle may have two pedals that reciprocated are in a linear or slightly curved trajectory but not a circular motion. As the two pedals are reciprocated, an output shaft is rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when the left pedal is pushed forward or when the right pedal is pushed forward. The output shaft may be connected to a propeller of a watercraft or a land vehicle so as to propel the watercraft or land vehicle forward. The output shaft may receive rotational input through two gears mounted to the output shaft with one-way bearings that enable the output shaft to rotate in the same direction regardless of whether the left pedal or the right pedal is being pushed forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 10442515
    Abstract: A propulsion system has an internal combustion engine including an exhaust manifold and an engine air intake, an exhaust port fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold, a fresh air intake fluidly connected to the engine air intake and a filter assembly including adsorbent material and being configurable between a loading configuration allowing for filtration of at least some components of an exhaust gas of the engine, and a purging configuration allowing for removal therefrom of at least some of the components of the exhaust gas. In the loading configuration, the filter assembly is fluidly connected between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust port. In the purging configuration, the filter assembly is fluidly connected between the fresh air intake and the engine air intake. Above a threshold effective engine speed of the engine, the filter assembly is in the purging configuration. A method for treating exhaust gas is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BRP US INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wasil, George Broughton
  • Patent number: 10442516
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system having a steering axis that allows pivoting of propellers along a first vertical axis directly beneath a gear box located inside the hull of a boat. A lower gear box can be placed within a vented or non-vented tunnel eliminating the need for a rudder and providing directional control of the boat by the orientation of the lower gear box. Surface piercing propellers and/or counter-rotating propellers may be used with the propellers pivoted around the vertical axis of the gear box. The offset steering axis allows pivoting around the first vertical axis wherein a secondary axis is moved with minimal drag providing superior maneuverability at both high and low speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Mark Small
  • Patent number: 10442517
    Abstract: A marine reduction gear makes it possible to reduce the installation space of an electrical rotating machine. A marine reduction gear includes: an input shaft coupled to an output shaft of an engine; an output shaft coupled to a propeller shaft that rotates a screw propeller; a gearbox accommodating an input gear provided on the input shaft and an output gear provided on the output shaft, the gearbox supporting a first bearing that supports the output shaft in a rotatable manner; and an electrical rotating machine including: a central shaft that rotates together with the output shaft; a rotor fixed to the central shaft; and a stator surrounding the rotor. The gearbox supports the stator and a second bearing that supports the central shaft of the electrical rotating machine in a rotatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Miyamae, Shoichi Takahashi, Tatsuya Ohno, Yoshihiko Ozaki, Kenichi Masamoto
  • Patent number: 10442518
    Abstract: A moisture diversion system of an aircraft for capturing moisture from at least one internal aircraft structure or at least one gap, the moisture diversion system comprising: a drip shield with an upper surface having a concave shape, at least one moisture channel disposed in the upper surface of the drip shield, the drip shield being in a moisture capturing orientation under the at least one internal aircraft structure or the at least one gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Lennart Larson
  • Patent number: 10442519
    Abstract: An indicating device for indicating a non-authorized opening of an aircraft door comprising a sensor for detecting a distance from the sensor to an object, a signaling device, a reset device coupled to the signaling device allowing the signaling device to be set into a first state following a reset operation, an enabling device, providing as an output signal, selectively, a disable signal and an enable signal, and a control device connected to the sensor, the signaling device and the enabling device. On receiving the disable signal, the control device changes into a first operating mode and on receiving the enable signal it changes into a second operating mode in which, based upon the signal received from sensor, it detects a distance change between the sensor and the object, and, on detecting a change, sets the signaling device into a second state until the reset operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Kai Bredemeier, Carsten Heuer
  • Patent number: 10442520
    Abstract: An aircraft structural component, for example, a wing spar that has an I-beam shape having upper and lower spar caps coupled by a web therebetween and that provides structural support for an aircraft wing. The wing spar may be fabricated as a graphite composite that is thermally cured to have a certain stiffness. In one embodiment, the wing spar is fabricated so that the upper spar cap has a higher CTE than the web, which creates tension forces in the spar cap when the spar is thermally cured and then cooled. Therefore, when the wing spar is mounted to the wing and the aircraft is in flight, compression forces on the wing skin act to relieve the tension forces in the spar cap, which reduces the compression buckling load on the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10442521
    Abstract: An apparatus, having: a fuselage body section (180) configured to be secured to an aircraft fuselage (16); a pivot column (310) protruding from the fuselage body section; and a center wing section (214) configured to be secured to a center wing panel of a trifold wing (200). The fuselage body section and the center wing section are configured to cooperate with each other to rotate the center wing section relative to the fuselage body section from a stowed position (250) to a deployed position (302). The pivot column comprises a column feature (240) configured to engage with tip features (236) of the trifold wing to hold the trifold wing in a folded configuration when the trifold wing is in the stowed position and to disengage from the tip features as the trifold wing rotates to the deployed position, thereby freeing the trifold wing to unfold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ellzey, James C. Copp, Gregory M. Richards
  • Patent number: 10442522
    Abstract: An aircraft operable to transition between a forward flight mode and a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe having first and second wings. A plurality of propulsion assemblies is attached to the airframe with each of the propulsion assemblies including a nacelle and a tail assembly having at least one active aerosurface. A flight control system is operable to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies. For each of the propulsion assemblies, the tail assembly is rotatable relative to the nacelle such that the active aerosurface has a first orientation generally parallel to the wings and a second orientation generally perpendicular to the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Oldroyd, John Richard McCullough
  • Patent number: 10442523
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an inductive coil anti-icing and noise absorption system. In certain versions, the inductive coil anti-icing and noise absorption system may include an inductive coil and a skin. The inductive coil may generate electromagnetic fields and may electromagnetically couple with the skin. The skin, upon electromagnetically coupling with the inductive coil, may increase in temperature and the increase in temperature may melt or prevent the formation of ice on the skin. The skin or a portion of the skin may be porous and may allow incorporation of a sound absorbing liner. The sound absorbing liner may attenuate noise generated by the aircraft (e.g., noise generated by the aircraft engine). Certain versions may include a plurality of inductive coils and a plurality of skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Khozikov, Jesse I. Follet, Justin H. Lan, Eric H. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 10442524
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerial vehicle with a horizontal tailplane disposed along a bottom edge of a vertical tailfin. Namely, the aerial vehicle includes an empennage attached to the fuselage via a tail boom and a tail coupling. The empennage includes a vertical tailfin that extends below the tail coupling. The empennage also includes a tube arranged along a leading edge of the vertical tailfin and below the tail coupling of the aerial vehicle. The empennage additionally includes one or more rotating actuators and a horizontal tailplane. The horizontal tailplane is coupled to the tail via the tube and includes a continuous leading edge and a cutout. The one or more rotating actuators are configured rotate the horizontal tailplane about an axis of the tube. At least a portion of the vertical tailfin is configured to pass through the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Makani Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Treat, Jérôme Sicard, Campbell McLaren, Thomas Van Alsenoy
  • Patent number: 10442525
    Abstract: A blade for the cycloidal marine propellers or cycloidal aerial rotors operative, in response to control system commands, to dynamically; flex along its chord, vary its relative pivot point position, change its planform by extending or retracting a trailing edge extension, differentially, turn the flap along the trailing edge in either direction or allow it to be turned by the flows. For the reversal of the leading and trailing edges for operation in reverse airflow and other conditions the blades are provided with edges that can be made rigid when functioning as the leading edge and flexible if needed when functioning as the trailing edge. Also, the blades are configured to vary and reshape their cross-sectional profile thickness. Finally, the blades are given on command flow permeability along much of their surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Optivector Ltd
    Inventor: Philip Bogrash
  • Patent number: 10442526
    Abstract: For dual management of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction, a system for an aerofoil of an aircraft, including: a channel having a double function of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction; a double-function main pipe to which a device for monitoring the boundary-layer suction and a device for monitoring anti-icing are connected; an anti-icing air-intake pipe connecting the main pipe and the channel; a non-return valve enabling anti-icing air to go from the main pipe to the pipe; at least one suction-air collection pipe connecting the channel and the main pipe; and a non-return valve enabling suction air to pass from the pipe toward the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SONACA
    Inventors: Dimitri Gueuning, Stephane Debaisieux
  • Patent number: 10442527
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear having a shock absorbing strut and a shortening mechanism coupled between an elongate beam and a shortening portion of a shock absorber. The shortening mechanism is arranged such that when the elongate beam is at a first position due to a first extension state of the retraction actuator the shortening mechanism is in a locked condition in which it inhibits axial movement of the shortening portion within the strut element in the first direction axial direction, and as the retraction actuator changes in extension state from the first extension state towards a second extension state, the retraction actuator moves the elongate beam which in turn causes the shortening mechanism to move the shortening portion within the strut element in the first axial direction to shorten the shock absorbing strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Landing Systems UK LTD
    Inventor: Ian Bennett
  • Patent number: 10442528
    Abstract: A wheel drive system for ground movement of an aircraft includes a motor system and a clutch system. The motor system, which is borne by an unsuspended part of a landing gear strut of the aircraft, includes an electric motor and a reduction gearing system. The clutch system, which connects an output shaft of the electric motor to a wheel of the aircraft via the reduction gearing system, includes a dog-clutch and a translational movement system. The dog-clutch includes a drive part, which is secured to the motor system, and a receiving part, which secures to a tire of the wheel. The translational movement system moves the drive part along an axis of an axle crossbeam of the landing gear strut into an engaged position, in which the drive part collaborates with the receiving part, and a disengaged position, in which the drive part is separated from the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Olivier Essinger, Patrick Marro, Claude Blanc
  • Patent number: 10442529
    Abstract: A system for controlling a lateral trajectory of an aircraft includes a rudder bar. Each pedal of the rudder bar is movable between a neutral position (pn) and an end-of-travel position (pf) along a unique travel. A movement of the pedal between the neutral position (pn) and an activation position (pact) commands a lateral movement by actuating a lateral movement device of a first set including a nose gear wheel, the different braking of the aircraft being nonactive. A movement of the pedal from the activation position (pact) to the end-of-travel position (pf) commands a lateral movement by actuating a device of the first set and the differential braking. A haptic feedback generator applies a first haptic profile to each pedal between the neutral position (pn) and the activation position (pact) and a second haptic profile from the activation position (pact) toward the end-of-travel position (pf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: François Dupre, Olivier Morellec, Julien Prodigue, Olivier Cantinaud
  • Patent number: 10442530
    Abstract: A reciprocating shock absorber combined with a coil spring are interposed between the fuselage of an aircraft and the tail wheel. When the tail wheel engages the runway, its attachment pivots, thereby compressing the shock absorber and the coil spring. This results in smooth transfer of forces from the tail wheel to the fuselage and to the pilot and passengers. If desired, one or more tension springs may counteract the forces imposed by the coil spring to restore the extended configuration of the coil spring and shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Roger Dufault