Patents Issued in January 2, 2024
  • Patent number: 11859706
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a gearbox lockout device. It may be desirable in certain vehicles to lock a drive shaft within a gearbox for a period of time. Lockout embodiments under the present disclosure include a shaft configured to selectively engage the drive shaft via teeth. An inner and outer collar surrounding the shaft can be manipulated to restrict the movement of the shaft once the shaft's teeth are engaged with the teeth of the drive shaft. The system can be torqued up and locked in place. This can allow for more safe transporting of the vehicle, easier maintenance, or other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Wilcox, Jacob P. Speed, Cody C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11859707
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a motor, a planetary gear mechanism having a portion that overlaps the motor in an axial direction, an axial direction wall part having a portion positioned between the planetary gear mechanism and the motor, a plate provided between the axial direction wall part and a pinion gear having the gear mechanism, and a box in which the motor, the planetary gear mechanism, the axial direction wall part, and the plate are housed. The box defines a breather hole that communicates with a breather chamber. The box has a radial direction wall part having a portion positioned between the plate and the breather chamber in a radial direction. The plate has a portion positioned between the pinion gear and the breather hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Takayoshi Urushibata, Kenjiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 11859708
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11859709
    Abstract: A motor driven power steering device including a motor and a speed reducer configured to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor, wherein the speed reducer includes a worm gear coupled to a drive shaft of the motor and rotatably installed to a speed reducer housing through a bearing, a worm wheel gear-coupled with the worm gear, and a rotation member mounted between the worm gear and the bearing and configured to circulate a lubrication agent applied between the worm gear and the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Un Jae Jung
  • Patent number: 11859710
    Abstract: A control unit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a gear selection operating element which allows a user of the vehicle to set different drive positions of the transmission, but not individual gears, by actuating the gear selection operating element. The control unit is configured to determine that a drive position “L” has been set using the gear selection operating element, and in response thereto, the control unit is also configured to provide a graphical user interface on a screen of the vehicle. The user interface allows a manual gear shift of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Peters, Benjamin Sprengart
  • Patent number: 11859711
    Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle includes a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state, a transmission operation unit for enabling a transmission operation of selecting one of a plurality of transmission stages, and a position adjusting unit for adjusting a position of the transmission operation unit based on the detected vehicle state to allow the transmission operation unit to slidingly move between a first position where a transmission operation is disabled and a second position where a transmission operation is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Hyungyeul Kim, Jeongho Park, Youngern Jung, Byungki Ji
  • Patent number: 11859712
    Abstract: An automatic transmission equipped with: a plurality of rotary shafts, including an output shaft for outputting driving force; a plurality of gears, including an output-side gear provided on the output shaft; a plurality of synchronization mechanisms, including an output-side synchronization mechanism for coupling the output shaft and the output-side gear; a shift position detection unit for detecting which of a plurality of shift positions, including a neutral position and a neutral position, has been selected; and a control unit for activating a synchronization mechanism other than the output-side synchronization mechanism and coupling a rotary shaft other than the output shaft and a gear other than the output-side gear when the shift position detection unit has detected the neutral position or a parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Takefumi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11859713
    Abstract: A method for hysteresis compensation in an actuator and a selector fork that is adjustable by this actuator and guides a sliding sleeve, by means of a state machine, wherein the selector fork is moved by means of the actuator from a first shift position (xDecoup), namely a neutral position, into at least one second shift position (xCoup), namely a gear position, and vice versa, wherein the position of the actuator (phiAtr, phiCoup, phiDecoup), in the event of a shift request into the neutral position (xDecoup) or into the gear position (xCoup), is corrected on the basis of stored mechanical backlash (phiBL) between the actuator and the selector fork and of a sign (+1, 0, ?1) generated by the state machine and associated with the particular shift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Markus Kohlböck
  • Patent number: 11859714
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a power transmission mechanism, an oil pump, a first electric wire, a controller and a control unit. The power transmission mechanism is arranged in a first chamber. The oil pump is arranged in a second chamber. The control unit is connected with the controller via the first electric wire. The first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Yukawa, Katsunori Yamashita, Hideyuki Mamiya
  • Patent number: 11859715
    Abstract: A transmission is shifted into a reverse state. The transmission includes a clutch. The clutch includes a pocket plate, a notch plate, a first strut housed within a pocket of the pocket plate, and a second strut housed within another pocket. A command is received to shift the transmission to reverse. It is then determined whether the at least one second strut has retracted into the pocket plate. If it remains extended, the first actuator is activated. A first rotational torque is applied to the notch plate in a direction allowing the notch plate to abut the first strut. By doing so, the second strut is released from abutting engagement with the notch plate. A second rotational torque is applied to the notch plate opposite the first rotational torque to rotate the notch plate out of engagement with the first strut, resulting in the transmission entering the reverse state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Scott Russell, R. William Davis, Daniel E. Knieper, John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 11859716
    Abstract: A tidal current energy converter including an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) control system and a hybrid vertical axis wind (or water) turbine (VAWTs) apparatus. The hybrid VAWT apparatus includes a modified-Savonius (MS) rotor in the central region and a straight bladed H-type Darrieus rotor in the surrounding annular region. The IVT control system includes a nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control to adjust a speed ratio of the IVT. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and/or a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventors: Weidong Zhu, Gang Li, Meilin Yu, Xuefeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11859717
    Abstract: An earth working machine (10), encompassing a drive motor (42) and a working apparatus (22) drivable by the drive motor (42) so as to move rotationally, the drive motor (42) being connected to the working apparatus (22), for transfer of a torque, with interposition of a shiftable transmission (50; 150) comprising at least two gearing stages having different torque transfer ratios, is characterized in that by means of a first gearing stage of the shiftable transmission (50), an input shaft (48), coupled on the input side to the drive motor (42), of the shiftable transmission (50) is connectable in torque-transferring fashion directly to an output shaft (52), coupled on the output side to the working apparatus (22), of the shiftable transmission (50) so as to rotate together at the same rotation speed; and by means of a second gearing stage of the shiftable transmission (50), the input shaft (48) is connectable in torque-transferring fashion, with interposition of a transmission assemblage (64), to the output s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Tobias Stinner, Cyrus Barimani, Hardy Wilhelmi
  • Patent number: 11859718
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a collar that receives a shift collar that is moveable along an axis. An alignment rod may be provided to inhibit rotation of the collar about the axis. A linkage retaining device may be provided that is selectively engageable with a linkage that is operatively connected to the shift collar to inhibit rotation of the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Supreeth Chandrashekar, Jeremy Cradit, David M Zueski, Nick Bofferding
  • Patent number: 11859719
    Abstract: A parking lock device for a transmission of a vehicle. The device comprising a wheel, a pawl for locking the wheel against rotation and an actuator unit arranged for movement of the pawl relative to the wheel. The pawl has a locked position where the pawl and the wheel are engaged and an unlocked position where the pawl and the wheel are disengaged. The pawl and the actuator unit are mechanically coupled to each other by a pin and slot mechanism having a guide slot and a guide pin received by the guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Petersson
  • Patent number: 11859720
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a tensioning apparatus includes a housing and a fastener extending at least partially through the housing. The apparatus also includes a trolley adjustably positioned within the housing about the fastener. The apparatus also includes a pulley disposed outside the housing and coupled to the trolley, where the pulley moves in unison with the trolley along an opening in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Long, Jeff Fontenault, Miguel Montemayor
  • Patent number: 11859721
    Abstract: A mixing valve having a first inlet port (4), a second inlet port (6) extending transverse to said first inlet port (4) and an outlet port (8). The inlet ports (4, 6) open out into a valve chamber (10) and the outlet port (8) branches off this valve chamber (10), inside which a movable valve element (12) is arranged, having an obstruction (32) inside the second inlet port (6), which protrudes from an inner circumference (36) of the second port (6) into an interior thereof. The obstruction (32) extends at least along a portion of the inner circumference (36), which portion of the circumference (36) is located on an inner side of the second inlet port (6) being distant from the first inlet port (4). A heating or cooling device includes such a mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Kjeld Vinther Jacobsen, Kristian Skriver Dahl
  • Patent number: 11859722
    Abstract: A piston check valve system includes a body including an upstream end and a downstream end, a bonnet secured to a proximal opening of the body, and a piston secured within the body, the piston being moveable between a closed position in which the piston rests upon a valve seat and an open position in which the piston is spaced away from the valve seat. The piston check valve system also includes a retainer configured to guide and retain the piston and to secure the valve seat within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SCV VALVE, LLC
    Inventor: Sidney McCarra
  • Patent number: 11859723
    Abstract: A valve guide for a fracturing pump valve assembly, the valve guide include a ring member having one or more blades. The one or more blades project inward from an annular ring of the ring member, a first side of the one or more blades defining a central space of the ring member, the central space configured to contain a cross-sectional portion of a valve post of the valve assembly therein and the first side extending parallel to a long axis length of the valve post. Valve assemblies and hydraulic fracturing systems including the valve guide are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Timothy Holiman Hunter
  • Patent number: 11859724
    Abstract: A check valve (1) which comprises an obturator (2) and a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism arranged to urge the obturator towards a closed condition, and the check valve further comprising an actuator assembly (5, 7a, 7b) which is arranged to be selectively activated to cause the obturator to be in an open condition, and the check valve comprising a controller which has a control signal input to cause the controller to selectively activate the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LONTRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Francis Lindsey
  • Patent number: 11859725
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a valve member located within the housing and being moveable between different positions for controlling, in use, the flow of a fluid from an inlet to an outlet of the valve; wherein the valve further includes at least two spaced-apart valve seats in which the valve member is seated so as to form a cavity bounded by the valve seats, an exterior surface of the valve member and an interior surface of the housing; a first conduit extending between the exterior of the housing and the cavity; and a second conduit extending between the cavity and a bore of the valve member, through which conduits, in use, a purge gas can be introduced into the cavity and bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 11859726
    Abstract: A valve includes: a tubular pipe section, a first flat plate extending transversely to the pipe section inside the pipe section and secured to the pipe section, this first flat plate being pierced with a central orifice and with a plurality of peripheral orifices positioned circumferentially around the central orifice, a second flat plate extending transversely to the pipe section inside the pipe section and mounted with the ability to rotate inside the pipe section, the second plate having a plurality of orifices of which at least the shape and the spacing correspond to those of the orifices of the first plate, at least one support element supporting the second plate such that the at least one support element can pivot with respect to the first plate, and an adjusting system engaging with the second orifice plate in order to adjust the relative positions of the peripheral orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOTALENERGIES ONE TECH
    Inventor: Sébastien Decker
  • Patent number: 11859727
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Johann Riepl, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11859728
    Abstract: An electric valve, comprising a housing component and a valve body component, wherein the housing component is fixedly connected to the valve body component; a control component comprises a motor, and a control component is provided in an inner cavity of the housing component. With respect to the background art, the influence of moisture on the motor can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SANHUA COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION CONTROLS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hangi Wu, Minghui Xu
  • Patent number: 11859729
    Abstract: A valve including a valve assembly and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly is coupled to the valve assembly to actuate the valve assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a movable armature engaged with a poppet of the valve assembly. A plate spring having a spring force is positioned between the valve assembly and the solenoid assembly that is configured to bias the valve member of the poppet into engagement with a valve seat. Based on the spring force of the plate spring and the voltage or current that is applied to the solenoid coil, the solenoid assembly is configured to control a distance that the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to proportionally control an amount of flow that is permitted through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Janssen, Jeffrey Simmonds, Brett Landacre
  • Patent number: 11859730
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly having an actuator housing coupled to a bonnet and a housing lid. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned within the actuator housing and directly coupled to the bonnet. A piston is positioned within the hydraulic cylinder and coupled to a spring lifter assembly and a spring is positioned within the actuator housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to a lower surface of the housing lid, and the second end being coupled to the spring lifter assembly. An operating stem is coupled to the piston and positioned in a channel extending through the bonnet to a valve body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SRI ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Alagarsamy Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 11859731
    Abstract: An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir is described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. The non-contact valve actuator has a first position in which the non-contact valve actuator does not actuate the valve body from the open position to the closed position in a second position, achieved when the liquid reservoir reaches a predetermined level approaching the capacity of the liquid reservoir, the non-contact valve actuator actuating the valve body from the open position to the closed position when the non-contact valve actuator obtains the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Kuehn, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus, Bill Nelson
  • Patent number: 11859732
    Abstract: A fluid end assembly comprising a housing having multiple conduits formed therein. A tubular sleeve is installed within one of the conduits and is configured to house a plurality of packing seals. A seal is installed within a groove formed in the walls of the housing surrounding the tubular sleeve such that the seal engages an outer surface of the tubular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Mark S. Nowell, Kelcy Jake Foster, Michael Eugene May, Brandon Scott Ayres, Christopher Todd Barnett, Micheal Cole Thomas, Guy J. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 11859733
    Abstract: A valve device comprising: a flow passage block in which a flow passage is formed; a diaphragm configured to open and close the flow passage; an actuator configured to push down the diaphragm via a diaphragm holder; a tubular bonnet formed with an internal thread on an inner circumferential surface, the bonnet being configured to join the flow passage block and the actuator; a tubular adjusting screw threaded to the internal thread, the adjusting screw being configured to come into contact with the diaphragm holder to adjust a valve opening position of the diaphragm; and an annular lock nut configured to lock the adjusting screw by being screwed into the internal thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Akihiro Harada, Tomohiro Nakata, Takeru Miura, Michio Yamaji, Tadayuki Yakushijin, Keisuke Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 11859734
    Abstract: A microfluidic device has a first substrate, a resilient diaphragm, an actuator, and a second substrate. The first substrate has an opening extending therethrough. The resilient diaphragm is secured to a second side and surrounds the opening. The actuator is secured to a first side and surrounds the opening. The first substrate, the resilient diaphragm, and the actuator cooperate to form a gas-tight chamber. The second substrate has a channel formed therein having a first end and a second end. The second substrate is secured to the first substrate. A volume of gas disposed in the gas-tight chamber pressurizes the gas-tight chamber and expands the resilient diaphragm such that the resilient diaphragm is disposed in the channel between the first end and the second end. The resilient diaphragm retracts from the channel to open the channel from the first end and the second when the gas-tight chamber is depressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Kauffmann
  • Patent number: 11859735
    Abstract: Clamping device (1) for axially blocking an axial-symmetrical body (CA); the clamping device (1) comprising at least a support (10) of given angular extension, provided with a plurality of laminar bodies (20) extending longitudinally in a given direction (D), each of which being incorporated in a substantially cylindrical interface (22) (23) made of deformable material so as to copy the outer shape of the axial-symmetrical body (CA) and to generate the tangential force in radial manner; each laminar body (20) having a toothed transverse face (24) to interact superficially with the axial-symmetrical body (CA); the laminar bodies (20) being carried by the support (10) through elongated members (30)(30?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: F.LLI RIGHINI S. R. L.
    Inventors: Renzo Righini, Franco Argelli
  • Patent number: 11859736
    Abstract: An antistatic flexible hose, including: a hose body which is formed of a soft material having flexibility; a conductive layer which is provided along an outer peripheral face of the hose body in an axial direction; a conductive wire which is wound in a spiral shape along the outer peripheral face of the hose body and an outer surface of the conductive layer and which is provided so as to be pressure-welded, in a radial direction, to the outer peripheral face of the hose body and the outer surface of the conductive layer; and a reinforcing member which is provided in a spiral shape along the conductive wire so as to protrude from the outer peripheral face of the hose body and the outer surface of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Okura, Kenichi Numata
  • Patent number: 11859737
    Abstract: A preassembled combination connects a captured pipe element to a second pipe element. First and second segments are connected end to end surrounding a central space for axially receiving the second pipe element. The segments are configured to be drawn toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. An annular body forms the captured pipe element. An end face of the captured pipe element is retained within the central space by engagement between a bead projecting from a sealing surface of the captured pipe element and the coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Matthew A. Bowman, Philip Wayne Bancroft, Scott D. Madara, Kathryn E. Yovanovich, Thomas C. Savage
  • Patent number: 11859738
    Abstract: A coupling nut for sealingly engaging a ferrule of a fluid line to a component of a hydraulic system, has: a shank extending along a central axis and having threads to engage a nipple, the threads extending circumferentially around the central axis, the shank defining an inner passage extending along the central axis and sized to receive the fluid line; and a head extending from the shank circumferentially around the inner passage relative to the central axis, the head: defining faces circumferentially distributed about the central axis and edges at junctions between the faces, the faces including torque-transmitting faces each facing a direction having a circumferential component relative to the central axis, and having a cross-section in a plane normal to the central axis, the cross-section defining a plurality of symmetry planes containing the central axis, the torque-transmitting faces free of intersection with the plurality of symmetry planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Gerard Theriault, Hubert Marcotte, Gilles Fournier
  • Patent number: 11859739
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fiber-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: manufacturing a tubular pre-form which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C, the tubular pre-form comprising continuous circumferentially-oriented fiber reinforcement; manufacturing a continuous fiber pre-form net, the pre-form net comprising a support layer and continuous fiber reinforcement, the continuous fiber reinforcement being secured by being stitched to the support layer; placing the tubular pre-form and the pre-form net together into a mould to form a tubular hub portion from the tubular pre-form and a flange portion from the pre-form net, the flange portion extending from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis C; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to form a composite connector comprising the flange portion and the hub portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CROMPTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Thomas Chase, Will Pollitt, Ioannis Giannakopoulos
  • Patent number: 11859740
    Abstract: A flanged fitting includes an annular fitting flange having an annular end face. A glass liner lines a radially inner annular portion of the annular end face of the annular fitting flange. A radially outer annular portion of the annular end face of the annular fitting flange is free from the glass liner. The radially inner annular portion and the radially outer annular portion of the annular end face of the annular fitting flange define an annular gasket abutment face configured to seat a gasket thereon. An annular gasket includes an annular gasket layer. The annular gasket layer includes a radially inner annular gasket segment including a first material suitable for forming a liquid-tight seal with an opposing flange. A radially outer annular gasket segment surrounds the radially inner annular gasket segment. The radially outer annular gasket segment is fire-rated for forming a fire-rated seal with the opposing flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: William Mark McDaniel
  • Patent number: 11859741
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus for a corrugated hose, having a receptacle part for receiving the corrugated hose and a locking part, mounted on the receptacle part, for locking the corrugated hose in the coupling apparatus, wherein the locking part has a resiliently deformable engaging element for interlocking engagement in a corrugation of the corrugated hose, the receptacle part having a receptacle region for receiving the engaging element, wherein the coupling apparatus can be brought by means of a movement of the locking part relative to the receptacle part from an unlocked state, in which the engaging element is arranged outside of the receptacle region, into a locked state, in which the engaging element is arranged within the receptacle region such that the receptacle region blocks a movement of the engaging element in a radial direction of the coupling apparatus, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DELFINGEN FR-ANTEUIL S.A.
    Inventor: Van Ngoc Chu
  • Patent number: 11859742
    Abstract: A bracket designed to mount a cable management assembly to a wire basket. The bracket includes a bracket frame and a locking plate. The bracket frame has a base with a first end and a second end, a first sidewall extending from the base, and a second sidewall extending from the base. The first side wall and the second wall each include notches for receiving the wire basket. The locking plate is secured to the bracket frame. The locking plate having a base with a first end and a second end, a first sidewall extending from the base, and a second sidewall extending from the base. A fastener secures the bracket frame and the locking plate to the cable management assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Mateusz Kruzel, Russell K. Morrow
  • Patent number: 11859743
    Abstract: A system for spacing and fastening tubular structures, and a related method. The system includes a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures. The system further includes a fastening element configured to extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures, and to fasten the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Naleen Kumar Verma, Mario Alberto Bolaños Jimenez, Arun Ramachandra, Jeffrey P. Darnell, Michael E. Sandy, José Torre
  • Patent number: 11859744
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automatic chemical supply apparatus having an opening shutter unit, the automatic chemical supply apparatus including a blocking door which consists of an opening/closing door and a blocking unit that are installed on a frame and which is configured to block an interior of the automatic chemical supply apparatus from the outside in a state in which a hose is seated on a mounting portion, a hose opening through which the hose passes in a state in which the opening/closing door is closed, and an opening shutter unit which is disposed on the blocking door and configured to open and close the hose opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: STI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Ik Song, Jun Woo Lee, Jin Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11859745
    Abstract: A clamp comprising: a first arcuate portion; a second arcuate portion hingedly connected to the first arcuate portion; and a ratchet mechanism for locking the first and second arcuate portions in a closed position; wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a linear rack provided with the second arcuate portion and a pawl provided with the first arcuate portion for receiving the linear rack; wherein the linear rack comprises one or more asymmetrical teeth; wherein the pawl comprises a plurality of fingers which are biased into engagement with the teeth of the linear rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Bio Pure Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nick White, Chris Sillitoe
  • Patent number: 11859746
    Abstract: A device for connecting two tubular objects has a connection piece housing and a sleeve-like element. The connection piece housing having a sleeve portion with an insertion opening and with at least one radially continuous cut-out. The sleeve-like element being complementary to the insertion opening for insertion into the insertion opening. The sleeve portion having at least one first engagement element and the sleeve-like element having at least one second engagement element, which mutually correspond in order to lock the sleeve-like element in the sleeve portion and which can be moved from an open relative position into a locked relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Senftleben, René Schindler
  • Patent number: 11859747
    Abstract: To provide a safety joint that can prevent an O-ring from falling off due to an ultra-high pressure hydrogen gas flowing through a flow passage in the safety joint at high speed and from being damaged by a foreign matter coming into contact with the O-ring if the foreign matter is mixed in the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TATSUNO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Takezawa
  • Patent number: 11859748
    Abstract: A joint connection method is provided that is a method for connecting joints that are used for a hydraulic pressure test or the like to a long pipe by using a production facility which includes a conveyance system, a welding apparatus, a winding apparatus and an X-ray inspection apparatus. The joint connection method includes a step of girth welding a first joint to a front end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the first joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus, a step of girth welding a second joint to a rear end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, and a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the second joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Tsuto, Hiroyuki Kaitani
  • Patent number: 11859749
    Abstract: A grommet assembly is configured to be installed within an opening and includes a grommet, a primary seal, and a lock ring. The grommet includes a platform, a panel portion extending from a first surface, and a ring portion extending from a second surface. The ring portion defines a passageway extending through the grommet and includes a plurality of grommet clamping features arranged around the ring portion. The primary seal extends around a periphery of the grommet. The lock ring includes a central hub having a plurality of ring clamping features arranged around the central hub. The displacement of the lock ring relative to the grommet engages each one of the plurality of ring clamping features with a corresponding one of the plurality of grommet clamping features to fasten the lock ring to the grommet to form a secondary seal between the grommet and the lock ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Owen Lepper, Eric David Kendall
  • Patent number: 11859750
    Abstract: A medical-gas panel connector system includes a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a horizontal frame member, a vertical frame member connected to the horizontal frame member, and a ceiling integration assembly. The medical-gas panel connector system also includes a medical-gas outlet removably secured to at least one of the horizontal frame member and the vertical frame member via a bracket. In addition, a manifold is removably secured to the ceiling integration assembly, the manifold being at least partially disposed inside the medical-gas panel connector system, and a flexible gas line connects the manifold to the medical-gas outlet. The medical-gas panel connector can be reconfigured and rearranged within a modular wall system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LTD.
    Inventor: Michael W. Iannone
  • Patent number: 11859751
    Abstract: A closure is provided for a pressure vessel or pipelines that can provide quick and easy access to the interior of a pressure vessel or pipeline and means for a pressure tight seal between the hub and door. The closure can incorporate means for mechanically fastening the door to the hub using an external split clamp ring actuated by a toggle mechanism. A locking mechanism can be provided to safeguard against unintended closure actuation and provides a layer of redundancy to the holding characteristics of the toggle mechanism. The locking mechanism can be interlocked to a pressure alert system to ensure any differential pressure condition contained within the closure is detected prior to disengaging the locking mechanism and actuating the toggle mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: In-Line Flow Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Keith Alan Kozak
  • Patent number: 11859752
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for a pipeline plug includes an actuator plate that includes at least two actuator wedges, a bowl that includes at least two bowl wedges, circumferential wedge sets, and gripper units. Each circumferential wedge set and gripper unit is positioned between the actuator plate and the bowl. Each circumferential wedge set includes a first circumferential wedge and a second circumferential wedge. Each circumferential wedge set is positioned such that an actuator wedge and a bowl wedge engage between the first and second circumferential wedges. Each gripper unit includes a gripper body positioned between and abutting a first circumferential wedge of a first circumferential wedge set and a second circumferential wedge of a second circumferential wedge set. Linear compression between the actuator plate and bowl causes circumferential movement of the circumferential wedges, which in turn causes radial expansion of the gripper units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAFE ISOLATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Giles, Humon Glenn Fardsalehi
  • Patent number: 11859753
    Abstract: An assembly for relining a junction between a branch pipeline and a main pipeline comprises a seal installation device capable of moving within the main pipeline to the junction. The seal installation device includes a curable seal for being placed and pressed onto the junction and optionally for extending into the branch pipeline. The assembly further comprises a light curing device for being introduced into the seal installation device within the main pipeline and the branch pipeline for curing the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Per Aarsleff A/S
    Inventors: Mogens Pagter Rasmussen, Bent Sloth Rasmussen, Anna Amalie Larsen
  • Patent number: 11859754
    Abstract: A pipeline profiler includes an elongated body and a plurality of mechanical arms projecting radially about the elongated body. Each mechanical arm has an adjustable angle bracket shape and a hinge joint formed at a corner of the adjustable angle bracket shape. Odometers to measure a travel distance of the elongated body are coupled to the mechanical arms at the hinge joints of the mechanical arms. Motion devices are coupled to the elongated body to detect the azimuth and inclination of the elongated body. To obtain a profile of a pipeline, the pipeline profiler is attached to a pig that is movable through the pipeline by a fluid pressure in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Saud Aqeel Saud AlShammari
  • Patent number: 11859755
    Abstract: Cable handling devices, methods and systems are provided for securing and deploying, or retracting, one or more cables or hoses into or out of a pipe or cavity allowing inspection of the pipe or cavity. The cables and/or hoses may be coupled and moved together, or decoupled enabling them to be moved independently. A hand-held device with a housing for at least partially enclosing one or more cables or hoses, at least one coupling mechanism integrally attached to the housing, and a coupling control for coupling and decoupling the one or more cables or hoses may be provided. One or more of the cables may be connected to a camera disposed at the distal end of a cable thereby facilitating inspection of the pipe or cavity. Tools such as cutting devices or a jetter may be provided at the end of the one or more cables and/or hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Warren, Michael J. Martin, Mark S. Olsson, Steven C. Tietsworth, Jeffery D. Martin