Patents Issued in April 30, 2024
  • Patent number: 11971066
    Abstract: A press-in retainer includes a retainer head having a collar and a seal disposed at least partially about the collar. A clip portion projects from the collar. The seal includes a main body engaging the collar and a sealing foot disposed entirely outboard from the collar. The sealing foot is configured to hinge about an intersection of the sealing foot and body portion while remaining entirely outboard from the main body. In a substantially flattened condition of the sealing foot, an angle between the sealing foot and a distal surface of the main body approaches a flat contiguous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Patent number: 11971067
    Abstract: A coupling device suitable for interconnecting two beam ends is provided, wherein the beam with the beam end has an elongate axis, where on a first beam end is arranged first interconnection units having two first parallel flange elements arranged with a mutual first distance x, wherein in each flange is designed a cut-out with a cross-section in the plane of the flange; a second beam end is arranged a second interconnection unit having a second flange, the width of the second flange across the plane of the second flange is smaller than or equal to x, and where largely perpendicular to the plane of the second flange, a connecting element protrudes on each side of the second flange, the cross-section of the connecting element in the plane of the second flange allows insertion of the connecting element into the cut-outs of the first flanges on the first beam end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SCAFFCO HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Mads Bekhøj Jensen, Tobias Bekhøj Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 11971068
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a bushing for coupling the shift cable end and shift lever in motor vehicles where the shift cable end comprises an oblong body having a coupling aperture, a notch, a front shelf and rear shelf protruding into the coupling aperture, and the shift lever is comprised of a base, a shaft, a neck and a head, and the two are coupled through a bushing and retaining clip. The bushing comprises a seating member configured to sit within the coupling aperture having a bore, a securing member to engage the notch, two members extending from the top surface of the seating member to provide stability and define a space to accommodate the retaining clip, and angled surfaces extending from the seating member to engage the retaining clip. The bottom surface of the seating member has recesses to accommodate the front and rear shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Loring Smith
  • Patent number: 11971069
    Abstract: A flexible pivot includes a first stage including a first cylinder and interface structure and a second stage including a second cylinder and interface structure in axial alignment with those of the first stage. Flexible connecting members are arranged for connecting the first and the second stages. Each flexible connecting member includes a pair of legs and a cross member joining the legs, each leg extending in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinders, the legs being attached to the first and the second cylinders respectively. The first cylinder and the first interface structure are concentric. Flexible spokes are attached to the first cylinder by one end and to the first interface structure by the other. Each spoke extends in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinders. Finally, the second stage includes flexible connection unit arranged to connect the second cylinder to the second interface structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ALMATECH SA
    Inventors: Luc Blecha, Martin Humphries, Yoel Puyol
  • Patent number: 11971070
    Abstract: An indoor unit for an air conditioner enables a water tank to be tilted forward by means of a tilting assembly, and thus enables a user to conveniently separate or mount the water tank to the indoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junseok Bae, Sunggyu Choi, Kangyoung Kim, Seongkuk Mun
  • Patent number: 11971071
    Abstract: A sensor bearing unit includes a bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, an impulse ring secured to the inner ring of the bearing, and a sensor device for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring including a sensor housing secured to the outer ring of the bearing and at least one sensor element supported by the sensor housing and cooperating with the impulse ring. The impulse ring is provided with an orientation lug extending axially on the side opposite to the inner ring of the bearing and intended to be located into a groove formed on the shaft of an associated apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Maruti Vitthal Khaire, Vignesh Dharmalingam, Sayali Madhav Apte
  • Patent number: 11971072
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing, a spherical bearing located within the housing, and two outer races positioned between the spherical bearing and the housing. The outer races are configured in sliding engagement with the spherical bearing to allow the spherical bearing to rotate relative to the housing. The assembly also includes a tightening element configured to engage a first of the two outer races and tighten the outer races against the spherical bearing. The assembly is configured to provide a primary load path from the tightening element to the housing, wherein the primary load path leads from the tightening element to the housing via the outer races whilst bypassing the spherical bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Molinelli, Franco Maino, Michele Restuccia
  • Patent number: 11971073
    Abstract: A rotary shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission includes a shaft (16) that is rotatably supported in a housing (12) and movable between radial positions for indicating a gear change. A shift knob (10) is coupled to a first end of the shaft for actuation by a user. A plurality of flexible locking fingers (40) extend from the second end, and an overload wheel (18) is disposed about the fingers. The fingers engage the wheel to couple it with the shaft for concurrent rotation. A locking mechanism (64) engages the wheel to selectively prevent and allow concurrent rotation of the wheel and shaft during normal operation. The fingers move relative to the wheel to permit temporary rotation of the shaft relative to the wheel when a force applied to the shaft is beyond a maximum torque threshold, and automatically return to concurrent rotation with the wheel once the force is below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KA Group AG
    Inventor: David Blank
  • Patent number: 11971074
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus includes a brake case (15), a first brake element (17), a second brake element (19), and a preload (21) for preloading one of first brake element (17) and second brake element (19) onto the other of first brake element (17) and second brake element (19). A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus, which brake arrangement exhibits a substantially temperature-dependent and consistent braking action, is realized in that an intermediate element (20) is arranged between the first brake element (17) and the second brake element (19), and the first brake element (17) and the second brake element (19) are spaced apart from one another by the intermediate element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Bals, Jörg Dörnen
  • Patent number: 11971075
    Abstract: The following embodiments relate to a single air disc brake tappet with features that mimic multiple tappets. In one embodiment, an air disc brake tappet is provided comprising: a support member; and a plate coupled with support member, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of raised features that mimic a plurality of air disc brake tappets. In another embodiment, an air disc brake pad assembly is provided comprising: a friction material; and a backing plate coupled with the friction material, wherein the backing plate comprises at least one recess shaped and positioned to receive a plurality of raised features of an air disc brake tappet, wherein the plurality of raised features mimics a plurality of air disc brake tappets. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Erik W. Oberdorfer, Brian Kondas, Eugene Clair
  • Patent number: 11971076
    Abstract: A wheel brake arrangement (100) for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement comprising a brake pad (102) arranged to be controllable between a first stage in which the brake pad is connected to a brake disc for reducing the speed of the vehicle, and a second stage in which the brake pad is disconnected from the brake disc; and a carrier (104) connected to the brake pad for supporting the brake pad, wherein the wheel brake arrangement further comprising a resilient member (106) connected between the carrier (104) and the brake pad (102), the resilient member (106) comprising a first portion (108) connected to a surface (110) extending in a radial and tangential direction of the brake pad (102) and arranged to force the brake pad (102) away from the brake disc when the brake pad assumes the second stage, and a second portion (112) connected between a radially inner surface (114) of the brake pad (102) and a portion (116) of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Owe Johansson
  • Patent number: 11971077
    Abstract: A wheel brake arrangement (100) for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement (100) comprising a retainer bar (110) and a resilient member (114) connected between the retainer bar (110) and a brake pad arrangement (102) of the wheel brake arrangement (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Svensson, Martin Petersson, Kent Augustsson
  • Patent number: 11971078
    Abstract: Layered support alternately comprising elastomeric layers and reinforcing layers, wherein an elastomeric layer comprises an elastically compressible elastomeric block (1) with a top surface (2), a bottom surface (3) and a bulging surface (4), wherein the bulging surface (4) bulges out elastically when the elastomeric block (1) is compressed between its top surface (2) and its bottom surface (3) such that the height (A) of the elastomeric block (1) amounts to a compressed height (B), wherein a first reinforcing layer comprises a rigid top plate (6) which abuts against the top surface (2) of the elastomeric block (1) and a second reinforcing layer comprises a rigid bottom plate (7) which abuts against the bottom surface (3) of the elastomeric block (1), wherein the top plate (6) and/or the bottom plate (7) are/is provided with a raised edge (5) extending at least partly opposite the bulging surface (4), wherein the bulging surface (4) bulges out elastically and abuts against this raised edge (5) when the elasto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CDM STRAVITEC NV
    Inventor: Patrick Carels
  • Patent number: 11971079
    Abstract: A dual deflection ring system includes a pair of components that rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation. One or more deflection rings are disposed between the components. The deflection ring(s) include two sets of pockets configured to provide two levels of compressibility in-series between the components. The two sets of pockets project radially relative to the axis of rotation and are compressible between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sen Jiang Zhou, John Miller, Craig David Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11971080
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase in which a crankshaft is rotatably mounted in bearings including bearing covers, to which at least one connecting rod carrying a piston is linked. The piston is movable in a cylinder covered by a cylinder head forming a combustion chamber and gas exchange valves are arranged in the cylinder head, which are actuated by at least one camshaft, which is connected to a gear train gear wheel situated on the crankshaft via a differential gear. A mass differential gear including two balance shafts is present. The mass differential gear is situated in a gear frame and attached to the crankcase below the crankshaft and driven by a mass shaft drive gear situated on the crankshaft, which is arranged axially essentially next to the gear train gear wheel/idler gear. The gear train gear wheel/idler gear is arranged on the main bearing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Joisten-Pieritz, Toni Kleinschmidt
  • Patent number: 11971081
    Abstract: A structural damper (2) having an acoustic black hole (5), at least one sensor (7), a damper structure (4), an actuator (8) configured to apply an actuating force to the damper structure (4) and a controller (H) configured to control the actuator in dependence on a signal from the at least one sensor so as to provide structural damping of a primary structure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Daley, Kristian Edward Hook, Jordan Cheer
  • Patent number: 11971082
    Abstract: A rope connector connects prepared ends of two rope segments, wherein said prepared ends each include a rope eye. The rope connector includes at least two complementary parts, each being configured with a shaped recess for receiving at least part of said prepared end of a respective rope segment. The complementary parts are detachably mountable to each other to establish a firm connection there between. A rope extension system is disclosed to include such rope connector, and a hoisting system employs such rope extension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Grant Prideco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nils Øystein Røsok, Thor Strand
  • Patent number: 11971083
    Abstract: A chain for a chain drive includes alternating inner chain links and outer chain links, which are connected together in an articulated manner by means of a respective chain joint. Each outer chain link includes two outer plates, each of which comprises two openings and two pins, and the pins and openings are connected together by means of a respective compression connection such that the pins hold the outer plates at a distance from each other. The chain for a chain drive prevents the disadvantages known from the prior art and leading in particular to a higher fatigue strength. This is achieved in that a beveled joint is formed in the region of the compression connection between the pins and the openings in the outer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: IWIS MOTORSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Urbanek, Andreas Ritz, Bahram Khani
  • Patent number: 11971084
    Abstract: A support apparatus includes: a protective frame connected body to hold a plurality of protection targets flexibly, each protection target being a flexible cable or pipe having one end connected to a fixed-side member and the other end connected to a movable-side member that moves relative to the fixed-side member, the protective frame connected body having a bending portion bent in a middle, an upper side and a lower side of the protective frame connected body overlapped vertically; a lower supporter to support the lower side of the protective frame connected body; and a plurality of upper supporters, each of the plurality of upper supporters supporting the upper side of the protective frame connected body at a predetermined position of the protective frame connected body and being moved by movement of the movable-side member to pass the bending portion without being in contact with the bending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Kibayashi, Noboru Kawaguchi, Junji Takaki, Naoki Okada
  • Patent number: 11971085
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a plurality of planet gears. At least one planet gear of the plurality of planet gears includes a layshaft that supports a first stage planet gear and a second stage planet gear. The at least one planet gear is characterized by a Radial Stage Distance greater than or equal to 30 millimeters and less than or equal to 100 millimeters. The Radial Stage Distance is Rrm1?Rrt2. Rrm1 is a first stage rim inner radius of the first stage planet gear and Rrt2 is a second stage root radius of the second stage planet gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: GE AVIO S.R.L., GE AVIATION CZECH S.R.O.
    Inventors: Paolo Mastellone, Leonardo Coviello, Juraj Hrubec
  • Patent number: 11971086
    Abstract: An actuator includes a motor, a shaft, an actuator body, a first tension element, a cable tensioner, and a tension gauge. The shaft is mounted to the motor. The actuator body includes a first anchor body and a second anchor body. The first tension element is mounted to encircle the shaft and includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the first tension element is mounted to the first anchor body of the actuator body. The cable tensioner is mounted to the second anchor body of the actuator body and includes a tension adjuster, a second tension element, and a tension element terminator. The second tension element is mounted to the tension adjuster. The second end of the first tension element is mounted to the second tension element. The tension gauge is mounted adjacent the tension adjuster to indicate a tension of the second tension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Vivero One Research, LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Quaid
  • Patent number: 11971087
    Abstract: A multi-actuator rotator assembly includes a base, a rotary link coupled to the base and able to pivot relative to the base, a rotating body coupled to the base and able to pivot relative to the base, a first linear actuator connected to the base and to a first side of the rotary link, and a second linear actuator connected to a second side of the rotary link and to the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Quickthree Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 11971088
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. A linear output mechanism is coupled to the planetary gear system. A first motor is configured to drive a first input shaft, and the first input shaft is coupled to the planet carrier. A second motor is configured to drive a second input shaft, and the second input shaft is coupled to the ring gear. A first brake is coupled to the first motor and is configured to be engaged into a braked position that holds the planet carrier fixed. In the braked position, rotation of the ring gear results in rotation of the sun gear for linear displacement of the linear output mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Floyd Richard Emmons
  • Patent number: 11971089
    Abstract: This application provides a two-speed transmission system. The two-speed transmission system includes a first fixed gear fastened on a first shaft, a first floating gear connected to a second shaft through rotation, a first connection mechanism, and a one-way clutch. The first connection mechanism is configured to implement connection or disconnection between the first floating gear and the second shaft. The one-way clutch is located between the first floating gear and the first connection mechanism. An inner surface of the one-way clutch is connected to the first floating gear. An outer surface of the one-way clutch abuts against the first connection mechanism. The outer surface of the one-way clutch is connected to the first connection mechanism. An acting force of the outer surface directly acts on the first connection mechanism instead of a tooth surface of the first floating gear, to reduce an impact on accuracy of gear transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hu Zhong, Xueyu Mei, Huan Wang
  • Patent number: 11971090
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-speed electric axle assembly with three gear ratios. The multi-speed electric axle assembly includes one or more power supplies, one or more shafts operatively coupled to the one or more power supplies and a differential, and one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies integrated with the one or more shafts. The one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies of the multi-speed electric axle assembly providing the three gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Brammer, Michael D. Cook, Jordan M. Houser
  • Patent number: 11971091
    Abstract: A transmission includes a drive element, a first output element, a primary transmission unit, a reversing unit, and an intermediate gearbox. At least two of the at least five shifting elements of the primary transmission unit, at least one of the at least two shifting elements of the reversing unit, and at least one of the at least two shifting elements of the intermediate gearbox are activatable in combinations of at least four shifting elements so as to establish at least twelve forward gears between the drive element and the first output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pradip Shinde, Jeffrey L. Lubben
  • Patent number: 11971092
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a hydromechanical transmission. In one example, the transmission system includes a hydrostatic assembly including a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor and a planetary gearset coupled to a multi-speed gearbox, a hydraulic motor, and an output shaft via separate gears and shafts. In the system the variable displacement hydraulic pump is coupled to an input of the multi-speed gearbox, the multi-speed gearbox includes one or more clutches and is coupled to a prime mover and the output shaft is designed to couple to an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Dalla Palma, Fabio Gunsch, Mario Gelmini, Giovanni Profumo
  • Patent number: 11971093
    Abstract: A drive gear used for a fishing reel includes a disc portion having a rotational axis, and a gear tooth protruding from a side surface on an outer peripheral side of the disc portion in a direction in which the rotational axis extends. The gear tooth has a body part and an extended part extending radially inward from the body part. A first angle formed by a cylindrical surface around the rotational axis passing through an axially-outer surface of the body part and a radially-inner surface of the extended part is larger than a meshing pressure angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ikebukuro
  • Patent number: 11971094
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a vehicle having an electric machine whose rotor shaft is constructed as a hollow shaft having an internal tooth arrangement. A gear mechanism drive shaft, which has an external tooth arrangement, is inserted coaxially relative to the hollow shaft into the hollow shaft, to form a torque-transmitting spline. The rotor shaft with a rotor shaft rotary bearing being interposed is guided outward through a bearing opening of an electric machine housing, and the gear mechanism drive shaft has a centering seat which is in abutment with the internal circumference of the rotor shaft with a tight clearance fit. The gear mechanism drive shaft is subjected to bending (D) during travel operation as a result of radially active operating forces (FR). To reduce the bending stress (D), the centering seat of the gear mechanism drive shaft is arranged without an axial offset with respect to the rotor shaft rotary bearing, in axial alignment relative to the rotor shaft rotary bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Schaefer, Moritz Lux
  • Patent number: 11971095
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle includes a main hydraulic circuit, a main hydraulic pump, a charge pump, a lubricating hydraulic circuit, a gearbox lubricating hydraulic circuit, a shifting hydraulic circuit, and a gearbox pump. Hydraulic fluid can be fed to the main hydraulic circuit by the main hydraulic pump. Hydraulic fluid can be fed to the main hydraulic pump by the charge pump. At least a part of the hydraulic fluid delivered by the charge pump can be fed to the lubricating hydraulic circuit. Hydraulic fluid can be fed to the shifting hydraulic circuit by the gearbox pump. At least a portion of the hydraulic fluid delivered by the charge pump can be fed to the gearbox lubricating hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Meid, Manuel Billich, Thomas Busold
  • Patent number: 11971096
    Abstract: A selector mechanism includes a selector interface having a detent member. An artificial feel positioner defines a plurality of artificial feel positions that correspond to selectable positions of the selector interface. The plurality of artificial feel positions are connected via a screw channel that helically extends along the artificial feel positioner. A motor rotationally operates the artificial feel positioner to automatically operate the detent member through the screw channel to move the detent member and the selector interface to a desired position of the detent member and the selector interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: GHSP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Bays, Phillip Torrey Merrill, II
  • Patent number: 11971097
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for a vehicle transmission includes a hydraulic pump for providing a system pressure for a first hydraulic system circuit and a lubrication pressure for a second hydraulic lubrication circuit. The arrangement also includes a control valve connected between a pump outlet of the pump and the two hydraulic circuits and has two different switching positions. The control valve, depending on the switching position, acts as a hydraulic connection between the pump and the system circuit or between the pump and the lubrication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Meid, Manuel Billich
  • Patent number: 11971098
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a torque converter device, a first hydraulic pump, a first oil channel, a second oil channel, a third oil channel, a second pressure control valve, and a controller. The torque converter device has a torque converter and a lock-up clutch. The first oil channel supplies hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pump to the torque converter. The second oil channel drains hydraulic fluid from the torque converter. The third oil channel communicates with the first oil channel and the second oil channel. The second pressure control valve is disposed in the third oil channel. The controller sets the second pressure control valve to an open state when the lock-up clutch is in an engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Torisu, Takuro Yoneda, Tetsuya Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 11971099
    Abstract: A soil processing machine includes a hydraulic drive system including an electrohydraulic pressurized fluid source with at least one electric motor and at least one hydraulic drive pump, a hydraulic drive circuit fed with pressurized fluid by the at least one hydraulic drive pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor fed with pressurized fluid from the hydraulic drive circuit, and a discharge valve assembly for discharging fluid from the hydraulic drive circuit to a fluid reservoir. The hydraulic drive system is designed to operate the discharge valve assembly as a function of at least one of the following parameters: a temperature of the fluid in the hydraulic drive circuit, an ambient temperature, a viscosity of the fluid in the hydraulic drive circuit, a degree of contamination of the fluid in the hydraulic drive circuit, a period of time since the last start-up of the hydraulic drive system, a period of time since the last fluid was discharged from the hydraulic drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: HAMM AG
    Inventors: Thomas Klein, Ronny Pieske
  • Patent number: 11971100
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission housing of a vehicle. In one example, a system comprises a transmission housing comprising at least one cover configured to support a shift fork and press the shift fork toward a position sensor corresponding thereto, wherein the at least one cover is removable from an exterior of the transmission housing and comprises a spring to press against the shift fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Leber, Justin Hall
  • Patent number: 11971101
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuation system for a parking mechanism in a transmission system of a vehicle. In one example, a system may include an actuator coupled to a lever arm via one or more parallel axis gears, and a shaft connecting the lever arm to a pawl of the parking mechanism, the lever arm non-back drivable at each of a first state and a second state of the actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Z. Creech
  • Patent number: 11971102
    Abstract: A gasket, to be installed between a first housing and a second housing, includes a first loop-shaped portion in a loop shape, a second loop-shaped portion in a loop shape that is positioned at a radially inner side of the first loop-shaped portion, with a first gap between the first loop-shaped portion and the second loop-shaped portion, and a first connector portion connecting the first loop-shaped portion and the second loop-shaped portion in a part of the first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Tokunori Yanagi, Isao Tanji
  • Patent number: 11971103
    Abstract: A seal device (3) for a rotating shaft (1). The seal device has a shaft seal (4), a shaft grounding connection (6) and a holding feature (9) for holding the shaft seal (4) and the shaft grounding connection (6). The holding feature (9) has at least one opening (10), between the shaft seal (4) and the shaft grounding connection (6), for clearing particles away from the shaft seal (4) and the shaft grounding connection (6). An electric machine with a rotor shaft (1) that can be driven in rotation and with a seal device (3) of the above type for sealing the rotor shaft (1) and, therefore, also sealing an inside space of the electric machine. Furthermore, a drive unit for electrically driving a motor vehicle, including an electric machine of the above type for providing drive power of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Brushkivskyy, Gerhard Höring
  • Patent number: 11971104
    Abstract: A grommet G according to the present invention is provided with, on the outer side of a second flexible portion 22, a padding portion 4. With this, of a pressing force F which acts from the cylindrical base part 1 side to the seal portion 3 side, a panel parallel component F1 parallel to a dash panel DP is hardly transmitted. On the other hand, a panel vertical component F2 vertical to the dash panel DP is easily transmitted. Consequently, the panel vertical component F2 becomes relatively large, and even if the seal portion 3 is brought into contact with the dash panel DP by acting the pressing force F from the oblique direction, the rolling-up caused by the occurrence of the inclination of the seal portion 3 can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: KINUGAWA RUBBER IND. CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Kaji, Hayato Takahashi, Hiroko Katayama, Yuya Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 11971105
    Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel including inner and outer mutually rotatable swivel members having respective inner fluid paths communicating with each other through an annular space at an interface between the swivel members and being provided with a sealing arrangement on a side of the annular space at the interface including a peripheral groove provided in the inner and/or outer swivel member, and a sealing element received therein and arranged for static sealing against a first one of the swivel members, inside the groove and for dynamic sealing against a second one of the swivel members, a surface inside the groove in the first one of the swivel members abutting the sealing element being a textured surface extending along at least a part of one or more inner surfaces of the groove and having three-dimensional textural elements for making frictional contact with the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.
    Inventor: Liva Christian Randrianarivony
  • Patent number: 11971106
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure present a valve assembly that includes a valve body having a gas passage bore, a valving bore extending along a longitudinal axis and intersecting the gas passage bore, a first bearing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis and a radially spaced apart second bearing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis, wherein an interface of the gas passage bore and the valving bore defines a flow port radially intermediate the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface. The valve assembly further includes a shaft valve extending along the longitudinal axis and rotatably mounted in the valving bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: G.W. Lisk Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Daniel Meath, Stephen Muscarella
  • Patent number: 11971107
    Abstract: A valve including a valve body including an inlet opening and a plurality of outlet openings; and an actuating gate adapted to seal at least one of the plurality of outlet openings, where the actuating gate is adapted to rotate eccentrically about a central axis while also translating in a direction perpendicular to the central axis upon actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics L+S GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Elz, Mike Schmiech
  • Patent number: 11971108
    Abstract: A rotary valve of a cryocooler includes a valve stator, a valve rotor, a rotation member that rotates the valve rotor around an axis with respect to the valve stator, and a rotor holder connected to the valve rotor so as to rotate around an axis together with the valve rotor, and forming a low pressure section having a pressure lower than an ambient pressure between the valve rotor and the rotor holder so as to reduce an axial force of pressing the valve rotor against the valve stator. The rotation member is connected to the rotor holder so as to rotate the valve rotor around the axis via the rotor holder. The rotor holder is disposed between the rotation member and the valve rotor in an axial direction, and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mingyao Xu, Qian Bao
  • Patent number: 11971109
    Abstract: A valve for a liquid system of a vehicle having a valve housing with a multiplicity of valve housing openings, a valve body that is arranged in the valve housing so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis and has at least one flow-conducting connecting passage for the flow-conducting connection of at least two valve housing openings of the multiplicity of valve housing openings. A valve seal is arranged between the valve housing and the valve body. A valve actuator rotates the valve body about the rotational axis, and a multiplicity of flow passages corresponding to the valve housing openings for the flow-conducting connection of the valve to a remainder of the liquid system, are provided. The flow passages are jointly formed from a single first passage shell and a single second passage shell. The first passage shell is simultaneously formed as the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Frank Bewermeyer, Finn Malte Fischer, Benjamin Grothe, Dominik Niess, Christian Praest
  • Patent number: 11971110
    Abstract: A method for assembling a valve is disclosed. The valve includes a first fluid port, a second fluid port, a fluid path providing fluid communication therebetween, a moveable member, a biasing member and a pressure compensation membrane. The method includes the steps of providing a base member comprising an abutment for receiving a first of the biasing member and the pressure compensation membrane; assembling the biasing member and the pressure compensation membrane with the base member; and affixing a fixing member to the base member to retain the biasing member and the pressure compensation membrane between the fixing member and the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Joël Di Dio, Florent Junod
  • Patent number: 11971111
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes the following features. A housing defines an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A seat can be defined by the housing. The seat defines a throat flow area. A plunger is configured to rest upon the seat. The plunger blocks the flow passage when in a closed position. The plunger is configured to actuate between a fully open position and the closed position. The plunger and the seat can at least partially defining a curtain flow area. A bias directs the plunger towards the seat. A ratio of the throat flow area to the curtain flow area is sized for sonic or supersonic flow velocities during critical flow conditions and subsonic velocities during subcritical flow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Krithivasan, Richard Klimas
  • Patent number: 11971112
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve manifold includes an electromagnetic valve including a discharge port, a manifold base including a discharge passage that is connected to the discharge port, and a check valve. The check valve includes a valve member, a valve housing including a valve seat, and an urging member. The valve housing includes a valve chamber that accommodates the valve member, a peripheral wall that defines the valve chamber, a valve hole that connects the valve chamber to the discharge port, and a discharge opening that connects the valve chamber to the discharge passage. The check valve is disposed in the discharge passage. The discharge opening is formed in the peripheral wall, at least a part of the discharge opening overlapping with the valve seat in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuo Hayashi, Hisashi Hatano, Mitsuhiro Kosugi, Shinji Itoh
  • Patent number: 11971113
    Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining an inlet body, an outlet body, and a gate slot, the inlet body defining an inlet passage and the outlet body defining an outlet passage; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
  • Patent number: 11971114
    Abstract: A solenoid adapter for a solenoid valve that permits use of different solenoids with different solenoid bowls is provided. Specifically, a reverse flow solenoid adapter enables use of a reverse flow solenoid with a forward flow solenoid bowl, while a forward flow solenoid adapter enables use of a forward flow solenoid with a reverse flow solenoid bowl. The adapters include a lower section to mount into a valve solenoid bowl, an upper portion including an adapter solenoid chamber to receive a solenoid, and flow-reversing passages that duct a vent passage flow path from the valve solenoid bowl to the adapter solenoid chamber such that the flow path transitions from a flow configuration of the valve solenoid bowl to a flow configuration required for the solenoid to function and returns to the flow configuration of the valve solenoid bowl as the path circulates back to the valve solenoid bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Mark Irwin, Kevin James Markley, Nicholas James Watts
  • Patent number: 11971115
    Abstract: A tilting armature for a vehicle solenoid valve, including: a ferromagnetic tilting armature for the vehicle solenoid valve which, by establishment of a magnetic field, is configured to move the tilting armature into one of two positions such that a magnetic flux, associated with the magnetic field, through the tilting armature is in the position conducted through at least one surface of the tilting armature across a gap to form a closed flux loop, wherein the tilting armature is tiltable between the two positions about an axis of rotation that is fixed with respect to the vehicle solenoid valve; in which an enlargement of the at least one surface of the tilting armature by an edge upset of the tilting armature is configured to reduce a magnetic resistance through the gap. Also described are a related vehicle solenoid valve and a related method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisenberger, Maher Matar