Patents Issued in February 9, 2021
  • Patent number: 10913522
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine cover, a throttle body, and a silencing chamber. The engine cover covers an engine and is provided with a combustion air intake port. The throttle body is connected to the engine and is configured to take in combustion air from the combustion air intake port. The silencing chamber is provided above the engine and is placed in an intake passage that guides the combustion air to the throttle body. At least one of a hole member including a plurality of holes with respective predetermined depths, and a plurality of suction pipes elongated in a front-rear direction of the outboard motor, is disposed in a position communicating with the silencing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinori Yamazaki, Nobuyuki Shomura, Seiji Uehara, Ryota Ariga
  • Patent number: 10913523
    Abstract: An adaptable modular power system (AMPS) is hierarchical in a number of ways. AMPS modules connect to a backplane, and one or multiple AMPS backplanes can form an AMPS domain. At the same time, the vehicle electronics is modular, with various payload boxes needing to communicate with each other. A common power and signaling cable is provided to interconnect payload boxes. A dedicated connector system is also provided so that AMPS modules may communicate, control, receive data, and supply and receive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LIQUID ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Brennan, Casper G. Otten, David B. Walker, Timothy James Ong, Daniel Peter Moroni
  • Patent number: 10913524
    Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Wald, Brad E. Taylor, Kenneth G. Gable
  • Patent number: 10913525
    Abstract: A helm for controlling a marine vessel with instruments and a steering device. The marine vessel has forward and aft ends defining a longitudinal center line therebetween. The helm includes a base that extends upwardly from a floor of the marine vessel to a top of the base. The base supports the steering device. A cover is pivotally coupled to the top of the base, where the cover is pivotable away from the longitudinal center line between an open position and a closed position. Wiring for the instruments is accessible from the top of the base only when the cover is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel Parteko, Erin E. Foldesi, Jacob M. Oswalt
  • Patent number: 10913526
    Abstract: A boat chiller system (1) wherein a self-contained externally cooled fresh water supply is used in place of water in which the boat is docked, such as seawater, to transfer heat from an interior space of a boat (4) to outside of the boat. The use of recirculated fresh water eliminates barnacle growth in an onboard water cooled a/c system (2) and/or excess barnacles and other sea life from growing near an external water discharge (12) on the boat as would occur with the discharge of heated sea water in a conventional boat a/c system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin J. Clark
  • Patent number: 10913527
    Abstract: An aircraft control system includes pilot and co-pilot flight control systems that each include a first shaft mechanically coupled to and displaced apart from a second shaft, the shafts defining and being rotatable about independent longitudinal axes. A connecting link enables rotation of one of the first shafts to rotate a corresponding one of the second shafts. A position transducer is mechanically coupled to each shaft and configured to communicate an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation of the respective shaft. A flight control unit electrically communicates with the position transducers and is configured to (a) receive the electrical signal from each position transducer, (b) detect a failure of the flight control system by detecting differences in the position transducers' electrical signals, and (c) communicate the electrical signal from the position transducer to a flight control surface actuation system to compensate for the detected failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Neal Van Huynh
  • Patent number: 10913528
    Abstract: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can provide opportunities to incorporate aerial transportation into transportation networks for cities and metropolitan areas. However, VTOL aircraft can be sensitive to uneven weight distributions, e.g., the payload of an aircraft is primarily loaded in the front, back, left, or right. When the aircraft is loaded unevenly, the center of mass of the aircraft may shift substantially enough to negatively impact performance of the aircraft. Thus, in turn, there is an opportunity that the VTOL may be loaded unevenly if seating, luggage placement, and/or positions of internal components are not coordinated. Among other advantages, dynamically assigning the payloads and adjusting components of the VTOL aircraft can increase VTOL safety by ensuring the VTOL aircraft is loaded evenly and meets all weight requirements; can increase transportation efficiency by increasing rider throughput; and can increase the availability of the VTOL services to all potential riders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Moore, John Conway Badalamenti, Ian Villa, Adam Warmoth, David Josephson
  • Patent number: 10913529
    Abstract: A plurality of landing gear are rotatable between a flight position and a landing position under the control of a control system on a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The plurality of landing gear may be separately and selectably rotatable to accommodate uneven or sloping terrain. The landing gear may include flight control surfaces and the degree of deployment of the landing gear controls the flight control surfaces. The flight control surfaces may include separately controllable elements. The aircraft may be a flight module of a modular and morphable air vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Piasecki
  • Patent number: 10913530
    Abstract: A cockpit control system and method for efficiently controlling ground travel in an aircraft equipped with engine-free electric taxi drive systems are provided. The cockpit control system is configured with a display that provides a maximum amount of information during aircraft ground movement with a minimal amount of input from and distraction to pilots or cockpit crew to facilitate essentially hands free operation and control of aircraft ground travel. System test and drive procedures ensure safe aircraft ground travel with the engine-free electric taxi system. Constant pilot hand or other input is not required to achieve safe and maximally efficient aircraft ground travel powered by the aircraft's engine-free electric taxi drive systems or, under selected defined conditions, by the aircraft's engines to achieve this maximum efficiency. The system may further be designed to be uninterruptible by unauthorized persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Joseph J. Cox, Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Michael Spillias, Jr., Joseph Goldman
  • Patent number: 10913531
    Abstract: An aircraft, in particular an unmanned aerial vehicle with wing-borne flight mode and hover flight mode, comprises a wing structure (4) having a left (6), middle (7), and right wing section (8). A support structure extends from the wing structure (4), and has an upper and lower support section. Each one of the left and right wing section (6, 8), and upper and lower support section (18, 20) has a thrust unit (10, 12, 22, 24). Left and right wingtip sections are rotatable relative to a left and right wing base section, respectively, around an axis extending substantially in a lengthwise direction of the wing structure. The thrust units (10,12) of the left and right wing sections(6, 8) are provided at the respective wingtip sections, in particular at the extremities thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ATMOS DAV B.V.
    Inventors: Sander Hulsman, Jurjen De Groot, Maarten Milis, Dirk Lucas Eduard Dokter, Joost Leon Bouman, Ruud Knoops
  • Patent number: 10913532
    Abstract: A precision landing system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a beacon is provided. A processor of the UAV controls a flight system of the UAV to fly the UAV. The processor detects, via a sensor of the UAV, a signal emitted by a beacon. The processor controls the flight system of the UAV to land on or near the beacon. The processor also energizes one or more electromagnets on a cradle of the UAV to retrieve the beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Carthew, Aditya Singh
  • Patent number: 10913533
    Abstract: A control target device 30 is, for example, an agricultural machine for performing various processes such as watering, additional fertilization, agrochemical spreading, and harvesting on a plant grown in a field. A moving image-capturing device 20 is a device that is movable and has an image-capturing function, and is, for example, a rotary-wing aircraft called a drone or a multicopter. A remote control device 10 analyzes an image of the field captured by the moving image-capturing device 30, determines what process should be performed on the plant according to the analysis result, and instructs the control target device 30 to perform the determined process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: OPTIM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunji Sugaya
  • Patent number: 10913534
    Abstract: An airborne docking method is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The airborne docking method includes securing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a host aircraft via a docking assembly having a base coupled to the host aircraft, a tug device, and a cable connecting the tug device to the base, the tug device being engaged with the base, and the UAV being engaged to the tug device. The tug device is deployed from the base and the cable is extended therebetween to distance the tug device from the base. The UAV is then disengaged from the tug device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Brum
  • Patent number: 10913535
    Abstract: A cushion assembly such as an aircraft passenger seat cushion assembly including a solid foam component and an elastomeric lattice insert disposed in a void in the solid foam component, the elastomeric lattice insert having a compression profile that mimics a predetermined compression profile of a solid foam. The elastomeric lattice insert including repeating like cuboid structures such as interconnected repeating face-centered cube structures, interconnected repeating body-centered cube structures, or interconnected repeating kagome structures. The elastomeric lattice insert may be in thermal communication with an air conditioning system for delivering conditioned air through the elastomeric lattice insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel I. Udriste, Stephen A. Puglisi
  • Patent number: 10913536
    Abstract: This linear movement guide device is provided with a track rail, a slider block attached to the track rail so as to be capable of movement relative thereto via a plurality of rolling bodies, and a position-determining pin which restricts the relative movement between the slider block and the track rail, wherein: the track rail is provided with a securing hole for securing the track rail to a base member, and a position-determining hole into which the position-determining pin is inserted; the slider block is provided with a rocker bearing part having an attachment hole into which a rocker shaft is inserted, and also provided with a connecting hole into which the position-determining pin is inserted; and the attachment hole and the connecting hole are each positioned in a location that avoids the center of the slider block in the lengthwise direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Eiji Hosaka, Hiroomi Kuribayashi, Toshiro Minami, Akito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10913537
    Abstract: A retractable chair for an aircraft cabin which is connected in use to a wall of the cabin, and includes an articulated frame having a back and a seat; a support which is connected to the frame, and fitted such as to be mobile on the wall around an axis of rotation; and at least one covering stretched on the frame. The fact of pivoting the support relative to the wall makes it possible to be able to incline the back, which contributes towards improving the comfort of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Sylvain Mariat, Laid Adda, Béranger Chantal, Nicolas Ferrere, Nicolas Rios, Christophe Arnold
  • Patent number: 10913538
    Abstract: Outflow valve (OFV) assemblies including non-metallic frames and enhanced attachment features are provided. In embodiments, the OFV assembly includes a non-metallic frame to which at least one valve door is pivotally mounted. The non-metallic frame may, in turn, include a generally rectangular frame body, a central opening through the frame body, an outer peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the frame body. Frame attachment interfaces are distributed or spaced around the outer peripheral flange of the non-metallic frame. The frame attachment interfaces include fastener openings and elevated platform regions, which project from an inboard side of the outer peripheral flange and through which the fastener openings extend. Base plates seat against the elevated platform regions. Fasteners engage the base plates and extend through the fastener openings to an outboard side of the outer peripheral flange to attach the OFV assembly to an aircraft fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Birchak, Albert Kang, Darrell Horner, John Perek, Abhay Naik, Jagadeesh Hariwal, William F. Ryan, Doug Smith, Bharath Chandra G, Saravana Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 10913539
    Abstract: A fragrance dispensing system for an aircraft that includes a fuselage defining a cabin interior and an environmental control system (ECS). The ECS includes a source of air that moves air between the source of air and the cabin interior along an airflow path, a mixer unit in airflow communication with the source of air and positioned downstream from the source of air in the airflow path, at least a first air duct positioned in the airflow path between the mixer unit and the cabin interior, and a fragrance dispensing unit positioned between the air source and the cabin interior along the airflow path. The fragrance dispensing unit is configured to dispense at least a first fragrance into the airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN CABIN INC.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Fantuzzi, Ricardo Padilla, Jr., Romain Ducos, Ritu Raj Kamal, Salar Atabaki
  • Patent number: 10913540
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting products with an airplane by controlling temperature in a payload bay using cryogenic coolant and a heat exchanger to cool the payload bay and heat from a heater; recycling exhaust from the heat exchanger to power a Stirling engine; charging a storage device with power from the Stirling engine; and housing the payload bay in an enclosure with an angled side below one or more cryogenic tanks to fit the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Moon, John J. Hammerman
  • Patent number: 10913541
    Abstract: An aircraft has an airframe with a two-dimensional distributed thrust array attached thereto having a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. Each propulsion assembly includes a housing with a gimbal coupled thereto that is operable to tilt about first and second axes responsive to first and second actuators. A propulsion system is coupled to and operable to tilt with the gimbal. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that rotate in a rotational plane to generate thrust having a thrust vector. Responsive to a thrust vector error of a first propulsion assembly, the flight control system commands at least a second propulsion assembly, that is symmetrically disposed relative to the first propulsion assembly, to counteract the thrust vector error, thereby providing redundant directional control for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Oldroyd, John Richard McCullough
  • Patent number: 10913542
    Abstract: A wing is provided in one example embodiment and may include an outboard rib; a proprotor gearbox, wherein the proprotor gearbox is located inboard of the outboard rib; a fitting attached to the proprotor gearbox; and a conversion actuator, wherein the conversion actuator is attached to the wing and is mechanically coupled to the fitting. The wing may further include a downstop striker in which the downstop striker may be mounted to the fitting and the downstop striker may be between the proprotor gearbox and the conversion actuator. The wing may further include a downstop mounted on a top side of the outboard rib, wherein the downstop and the downstop striker are aligned to be in contact when the proprotor gearbox is positioned in an airplane mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James E. King, William Scott Atkins, George R. Decker
  • Patent number: 10913543
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power to one or more loads on an aircraft are provided. A power system for an aircraft can include a first fuel cell configured to provide base power to one or more loads on the aircraft. The power system can further include a second fuel cell configured to provide peak power to the one or more loads on the aircraft. The peak power can be a power exceeding the base power. The power system can further include an energy storage device configured to provide transient power to the one or more loads on the aircraft. The transient power can be a power exceeding the peak power. The power system can further include a controller configured to control delivery of power from the first fuel cell, the second fuel cell, and the energy storage device to the one or more loads on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael David Bailey, Colin John Halsey
  • Patent number: 10913544
    Abstract: A method of electrically powering an electrical load in an aircraft, the method including electrically powering the electrical load with a main source that generates electricity; measuring an instantaneous parameter characterizing the main source; determining a level of use of the main source from the measured instantaneous parameter; adjusting the voltage of the main source as a function of the level of use; measuring an output voltage from the main source; comparing the measured voltage or the level of use with a predetermined threshold value; and whenever the measured voltage is less than the predetermined threshold value, electrically powering the electrical load from an auxiliary source that stores electricity so as to supply additional electric power to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: SAFRAN, SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Salanne, Stephane Petibon, Florent Rougier, Antoine Duquerrois
  • Patent number: 10913545
    Abstract: A system and method of augmenting an existing air data system includes a multi-function probe (MFP) having a portion extending into an oncoming airflow about an exterior of an aircraft. A plurality of pressure sensing ports in the portion includes at least first and second static pressure ports. A first electronics channel of the MFP includes pressure sensors communicating with the first and second static pressure ports and is configured to determine first and second altitude values based on sensed static pressures at the first and second static pressure ports, respectively, that are independent of the existing air data system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Boelke, Brian Brent Naslund, Benjamin John Langemo
  • Patent number: 10913546
    Abstract: A system for homing and recharging an unmanned vehicle comprises a plurality of homing layers operative along the radius of an imaginary circle that has the homing target at its center, each homing layer consisting of a sub-system provided with location means of increasing accuracy relative to that of a sub-system that operates along said radius farther away, from the center of said circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AIROBOTICS LTD.
    Inventors: Ran Krauss, Meir Kliner
  • Patent number: 10913547
    Abstract: A vertical landing is performed by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle above a charger where the eVTOL vehicle includes a rotor that is configured to rotate during an occupant change state to keep the eVTOL vehicle stationary during the occupant change state. A vertically-oriented male charging port that is part of the eVTOL vehicle and a female charging port that is part of the charger are detachably coupled and a battery in the eVTOL vehicle is charged using the charger while the vertically-oriented male charging port and the female charging port are detachably coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Benjamin Otto Berry
  • Patent number: 10913548
    Abstract: Metallic fittings for coupling composite ribs to skin panels of aircraft wings are described. An example metallic fitting includes a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the metallic fitting to a composite rib of an aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a bore configured to receive a bolt. The example metallic fitting further includes a cavity intersecting the bore. The cavity has an access opening. The example metallic fitting further includes a barrel nut located within the cavity. The barrel nut is configured to threadably engage the bolt to couple the metallic fitting to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a seal located within the cavity. The seal is configured to close the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven Paul Walker
  • Patent number: 10913549
    Abstract: Automated inspections of aerial vehicles may be performed using imaging devices, microphones or other sensors. Between phases of operation, the aerial vehicle may be instructed to perform a plurality of testing evolutions, e.g., in a sequence, at a testing facility, and data may be captured during the evolutions by sensors provided on the aerial vehicle and by ground-based sensors at the testing facility. The imaging and acoustic data may be processed to determine whether any vibrations or radiated noises during the evolutions are consistent with faults or discrepancies of the aerial vehicle such as microfractures, corrosions or fatigue. If no faults or discrepancies are detected, the aerial vehicle may be returned to service without delay. If any faults or discrepancies are detected, however, then the aerial vehicle may be subjected to maintenance, repairs or further manual or visual inspections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Buchmueller, Samuel Sperindeo
  • Patent number: 10913550
    Abstract: Feedback control circuitry includes rate limiter circuitry configured to generate a rate limited position command based on a position command for a controlled component and based on a speed command for the controlled component. The feedback control circuitry also includes error adjustment circuitry configured to apply a control gain to an error signal to generate an adjusted error signal. The error signal is based on position feedback and the rate limited position command, and the position feedback indicates a position of the controlled component. The feedback control circuitry further includes an output terminal configured to output a current command generated based on the adjusted error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas C. Cameron, Dwayne C. Merna
  • Patent number: 10913551
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure can be utilized to provide an improved propulsion system that uses multiple high efficiency engines to provide fault-tolerant and scalable high thrust for orbit transfer and maneuvering over life. An exemplary spacecraft includes a base panel, a cylindrical core member mounted to the base panel, multiple DV thrusters mounted within the cylindrical core member, and multiple reaction engine assemblies mounted to the base panel outside the cylindrical core member. Each of the DV thrusters has a thrust level that is greater than a thrust level of each of the reaction engine assemblies. The multiple DV thrusters are operated for velocity control, with attitude control being performed by off-pulsing at least one of the multiple DV thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Evan Goodzeit, John B. Henderson
  • Patent number: 10913552
    Abstract: A stand-off panel thermal protection system is disclosed. The system comprises a sandwich panel comprising: a first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and a second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. A ceramic matrix composite core is positioned between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. The ceramic matrix composite core has a perimeter. The first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet extend past the perimeter to form a gap between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet surrounding the ceramic matrix composite core. A plurality of orifices are formed through the sandwich panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
  • Patent number: 10913553
    Abstract: An integrated heat shield which encloses a frame structure comprises a leading edge component, a left side component, a right side component, an optionally top component, an optional bottom component and an optional trailing edge subassembly, wherein the leading edge component and the left and right side components are directly, integrally co-cured on the frame structure while in a B-stage. The leading edge component and the left and right side components are shingle laminated to form ply angles to air flow. The leading edge component and the side components are scarf-jointed or step-jointed. The side components and trailing edge subassembly are also scarf jointed or step-jointed. The co-curing as well as the scarf or step joints makes the heat shield an integrated assembly. A method of manufacturing the integrated heat shield is further introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mau-Yi Huang, Ren-So Deng, Geng-Wen Chang, Dar-Ping Juang, Cheng-Huan Wang
  • Patent number: 10913554
    Abstract: Described is a unit for releasing product for extraction or infusion beverages in containers (2) forming single-use capsules (3) comprising: at least one seat (S1) for containing a predetermined dose (33) of product having side walls; a device (6) for feeding the product in the containing seat (S1) to define the dose (33); a device (70) for compressing the product in the containing seat (S1); a device (10) for moving the seat (S1) along a closed path (PS); a device (71) for ejecting the dose from the containing seat (S1); a unit (15) for controlling and operating the compacting device (70) and the ejection device (71); the control and operating unit (15) being configured for controlling the compacting device (70) with a force such as to produce a compression which causes a coupling of the dose (33) with the side walls of the containing seat (S1) which prevents, in the operating condition of the unit, the escape of the dose from the containing seat (S1) in the absence of actions mechanical for pushing on the d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Pierluigi Castellari
  • Patent number: 10913555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing device (40) for being disposed in the forming tube (42) of a tubular bag machine (01) for the portioned dispensation of a flowable, in particular powdery, product (46), having at least one screw conveyor (43) discharging the product (46), said screw conveyor (43) protruding into a screw tube (41) with its longitudinal axis and being able to be rotationally driven by a drive, and having a flow barrier (45) fastened at the lower end of the screw tube (41), the amount of the product (46), which trickles down when the screw conveyor (43) is stopped, being able to be reduced by the flow barrier (45), at least one first receiving contour being provided at the flow barrier (45), and at least one second receiving contour being provided at the lower end of the screw tube (41), and a locking bolt being able to be inserted into and/or pushed through the first receiving contour and second receiving contour when disposing the flow barrier (45) at the lower end of the screw tube (41) i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ROVEMA GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Dersch, Gunter Brueck
  • Patent number: 10913556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling containers with filling material in powder form, comprising: at least one metering wheel (29); a metering chamber (28a, 28b); at least one container (27) for discharging into the metering chamber (28a, 28b) a filling material (21) to be metered; at least one filter (36) which is mounted on the metering chamber (28a, 28b), the filter (36) being non-permeable to the filling material (21) and permeable to a gaseous medium; at least one feed (46) for the gaseous medium, to influence the filling material (21) to be metered in the metering chamber (28a, 28b) by means of the gaseous medium via the filter (36), at least one transport means (43) being provided to displace the filter (36) such that a new region of the filter (36) reaches the underside of the metering chamber (28a, 28b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Runft, Jens Schlipf, Walter Boehringer, Wolfgang Wick
  • Patent number: 10913557
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a product into a container can include a filling unit, a drive unit configured to move the container with respect to the filling unit between a first position and a second position, and a controller. The filling unit can include a pump and a filling nozzle. The controller can: control delivery of the product through the filling nozzle; control the drive unit; register an operational end position of the drive unit corresponding to said second position; assign the registered operational position as a new initial position for the drive unit; calculate a new drive unit motion profile for controlling movement of the container from said second position to said first position based on said new initial position of the drive unit; and initiate delivery of the product through the filling nozzle into the container before the drive unit reaches said operational end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Lindberg, Gert Ekberg
  • Patent number: 10913558
    Abstract: A folding station includes an inlet and an outlet and is predisposed to receive at the inlet a cardboard blank having two transversal edges, two longitudinal edges, two longitudinal score lines, and four transverse score lines. The two longitudinal score lines define therebetween a central sector and also define two lateral sectors externally of the two longitudinal score lines. Cuts in the two lateral sectors define a series of flaps. The folding station further comprises a conveyor for transporting the cardboard blank in an advancement direction to a position, a first folding bar located by a flank of a first side of the conveyor at the position, and a second folding bar located by a flank of a second side of the conveyor at the position. The first folding bar and the second folding bar rotate to fold the flaps in the two lateral sectors onto respective portions of the central sector of the cardboard blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: F.L. AUTO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Ponti
  • Patent number: 10913559
    Abstract: An automated method and system for stacking and loading wrapped facemasks into a carton in a facemask production line include conveying individual wrapped facemasks to a delivery location adjacent to a rotary wheel, the rotary wheel conveyor having individual pick-up devices spaced around a circumference thereof. Each wrapped facemask is picked-up with a respective pick-up device on the rotary wheel conveyor and transported to a first carton staging area at a first location on the circumference of the rotary wheel. At the first staging area, the facemasks are released from the rotary wheel conveyor and deposited into a carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Y. Houde, David Lamar Harrington, Mark Thomas Pamperin, Nathan Craig Harris, Joseph P. Weber
  • Patent number: 10913560
    Abstract: A device for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers includes a base with a plurality of pockets and an indexing means and a carrier having a series of indexing features that correspond with the indexing means for placement of the carrier relative to the base, wherein a container may be inserted into one of the plurality of pockets of the base for desired alignment within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 10913561
    Abstract: A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 10913562
    Abstract: A tray sealer including a sealing station comprising a tool upper part, a clamping frame and a tool lower part. The tool upper part may surround a dome-shaped die used for deforming a skinnable top film. First and second channels in the dome-shaped die and in the tool upper part, respectively, are connectable to one another. The tool upper part or the dome-shaped die may comprise at least a third channel communicating with a vacuum generator so as to generate a thermal air convection from the first channel to the third channel along a side of the top film facing the dome-shaped die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Albert Gabler, Andreas Mader, Thomas Zedelmaier, Luciano Capriotti
  • Patent number: 10913563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a first portion of a motion cycle by moving at least one applicator arm from an application position to a leaving position, said first portion being equal for successive packaging containers. The method also comprises performing a second portion of the motion cycle by moving the at least one applicator arm from the leaving position back to the application position, said second portion being adjusted to fit the pitch between successive packaging containers. The invention also relates to an apparatus operated by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Ashraf Zarur
  • Patent number: 10913564
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a packaging machine that includes a conveyance mechanism for conveying an item to be packaged includes: an acquirer configured to acquire a detection result from a sensor for detecting an item to be packaged; a determiner configured to obtain elapsed time from a predetermined time point until when the item to be packaged is detected by the sensor, based on the detection result acquired by the acquirer, and determine a shift direction in which the item to be packaged is shifted from a predetermined position, based on the elapsed time; and a controller configured to control, for the item to be packaged for which detection is performed by the sensor, implementation of any one of downstream units that are downstream of a unit in which the detection is performed by the sensor, based on the shift direction that is determined by the determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Reiko Hattori, Yuki Hirohashi
  • Patent number: 10913565
    Abstract: The present technology provides a method for manufacturing an aircraft water tank provided with a hollow body and a fiber-reinforced resin layer covering the hollow body. A blow molding step is performed in which polyolefin resin, a thermoplastic resin exhibiting superior durability against disinfectants, is blow molded to obtain a hollow body. Next, a surface treatment step is performed in which a surface treatment is performed upon the entire surface of the hollow body, thereby improving the adhesiveness of the entire surface. Next, a filament winding step is performed in which reinforcing fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin are wound around the surface of the hollow body and the outer surfaces of the flanges and heated in order to cure the thermosetting resin, thereby forming the fiber-reinforced resin layer on the surface of the hollow body and the outer surface of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Masuda
  • Patent number: 10913566
    Abstract: A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel. The top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one side panel to form a recessed top portion for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Dana Exner, Aaron Bates
  • Patent number: 10913567
    Abstract: An insert formed from a one-piece blank of sheet material. The insert comprises a first half comprising a first plurality of connected panels; a second half connected to the first half and comprising a corresponding, second plurality of connected panels; a first and second end comprising lateral extensions extending from respective first and second opposing ends of two panels from each of the first and second plurality of panels; and a plurality of popout tabs extending outward from an outer surface of the insert. The first and second half define respective first and second internal receiving areas each surrounded on all sides and on opposing ends by (i) two layers of the sheet material and/or (ii) an air gap defined between the outer surface of the insert and an adjacent portion of an overwrap material. A one-piece blank of sheet material for forming a shipping insert is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Kent Owen Nelson
  • Patent number: 10913568
    Abstract: Example aspects of a storage box and a method for assembling a storage box are disclosed. The storage box can comprise a sidewall enclosure, the enclosure defining a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, a fastener extending from the bottom edge, and a tray, the fastener coupling the tray to the sidewall enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Sollie, Paul Ott, Jamie Waltermire, Shifeng Chen
  • Patent number: 10913569
    Abstract: A method of forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, two side panels, two end panels, and a reinforcing panel assembly extending from a first side panel. The machine includes a hopper station, a corner post forming station, and a plunger station. The method includes rotating the reinforcing panel assembly upwardly toward the first side panel as the blank is transported from the hopper station to the corner post forming station, forming a corner wall and a reinforcing end tab by folding reinforcing panels about fold lines as the blank is transported through the corner post forming station, rotating the side panels and the end panels to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel by directing the blank through the plunger station, and coupling the reinforcing end tab to an end panel to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Ricki D. Anderson, Rojas Guillermo, Kenneth Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 10913570
    Abstract: An insulated shipping liner includes a flexible sealed sack having a first layer and second layer sealed together about their outer peripheral edges to form a housing. An insulating layer made from a single sheet of foam material is located within the housing and is configured to be folded such that a first side portion, second side portion and middle portion create a substantially rectangular box form, with the first and second side portions defining opposing sides of the box form, the middle portion defining a bottom of the box form, the substantially rectangular top flap defining at least part of a top of the box form, and the opposing substantially rectangular first and second side flaps defining at least part of other opposing sides of the box form. The box form can be placed in a container to form an insulated container for shipping and/or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: COLDKEEPERS, LLC
    Inventors: Lionel de Bazelaire de Lesseux, Robert Gary Stampfli, Langdon Strong Flowers, III
  • Patent number: 10913571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pallet (1) comprising parallel panels (11, 12), a layer (13) arranged between the panels (11, 12) and formed by at least one spacer (18), having a respective first strip (15a) and a plurality of tube segments (14), wherein the tube segments (14) have two respective cut ends (141, 142) and two respective cut surfaces (143, 144), wherein the tube segments (14) are mechanically connected to the first strip (15a) by their cut ends (141, 142), and mechanically connected to the panels (11, 12) by their cut surfaces (143, 144), wherein the tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) have two respective lateral elements (146) and a cover element (147) mechanically connected to the lateral elements (146), wherein the lateral elements (146) form a first internal angle (?) of 95° to 120° with the cover element (147).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AIR BAMBOO INDUSTRIAL GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Kuhmann, Matthias Albrecht, Roman Kujus-Tenekedshijew