Patents Issued in September 24, 2024
  • Patent number: 12097699
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a channel member and a recording element substrate. The channel member includes a discharge port configured to discharge liquid and at least one channel configured to supply the liquid to the discharge port. The recording element substrate includes a supply path and an energy generating element. The supply path connects to the at least one channel with a connection and is configured to supply the liquid to the at least one channel. The energy generating element is configured to discharge the liquid from the discharge port. The channel member further includes, at positions of the channel member facing the connection, a plurality of spaces, the spaces being formed by covering part of recesses of the channel member with a covering portion, the spaces each including an opening communicating with the at least one channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shimpei Yoshikawa, Kyosuke Toda
  • Patent number: 12097700
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a print element substrate having an ejection port for ejecting a liquid; a support member supporting the print element substrate; and an adhesive agent provided for adhering the print element substrate to the support member. The print element substrate includes a supply port opposed to the support member and communicating with the ejection port, a first surface opposed to the support member and surrounding the supply port, and a second surface opposed to the support member and provided along at least a part of an outer edge of the first surface and retracted from the first surface relative to the support member. The adhesive agent is filled in a first space between the first surface and the support member, and at least a part of a second space between the second surface and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 12097701
    Abstract: A jet parameter generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a data acquisition section, and a parameter generation section for generating a predetermined jet parameter, using a predetermined analytical method of taking a predetermined input parameter as an explanatory variable and taking a predetermined jet parameter as an objective variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SII PRINTEK INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimizu, Masakazu Hirata
  • Patent number: 12097702
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a pressure chamber for ink, a nozzle plate including a nozzle connected to the pressure chamber, an actuator to change a volume of the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit that drives the actuator. The drive circuit drives the actuator according to a drive waveform including an expansion waveform, a first weak contraction waveform, a contraction waveform, and a second weak contraction waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: RISO Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kikuchi, Hiroki Ikegami
  • Patent number: 12097703
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a common electrode on a piezoelectric layer at a first side adjacent to a first surface and extends over a plurality of piezoelectric elements. A plurality of first individual electrodes is on the piezoelectric layer at a second side adjacent to a second surface. Each of the plurality of first individual electrodes is at a piezoelectric element of the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and are not electrically connected together. A first insulating layer is on the common electrode at the first side and extends over the plurality of piezoelectric elements. A plurality of second individual electrodes is on the first insulating layer at the first side. Each of the plurality of second individual electrodes is at a piezoelectric element of the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and overlap centers of the plurality of first individual electrodes. The plurality of second individual electrodes are electrically connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei Tabata, Makoto Higashibeppu, Takeshi Hirayama, Yukihiro Hasegawa, Gen Shimura, Takashi Miyahara, Atsushi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 12097704
    Abstract: In a case of executing first printing that printing is performed by using a first group, which includes nozzles of a nozzle array whose distances to a detection unit are less than a first predetermined value, and thereafter executing second printing that printing is performed by using a second group, which includes nozzles of the nozzle array whose distances to the detection unit are equal to or less than the first predetermined value and are equal to or more than a second predetermined value, a first driving pulse for the first printing is determined by using a first temperature, which is detected by the detection unit when the first printing is performed. A second driving pulse for the second printing is determined by use of a second temperature, which is derived based on the first temperature and corresponds to a temperature of the nozzles of the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Kenichi Oonuki
  • Patent number: 12097705
    Abstract: A recording portion has a nozzle surface. A first movement portion moves the recording portion in a first direction intersecting the nozzle surface. A second movement portion moves a first maintenance portion in a second direction along the nozzle surface. The recording portion is movable to a recording position at which recording is performed on a medium, and a first retreated position where the recording portion is retreated from the recording position. The first maintenance portion is movable to a maintenance position at which maintenance of the nozzle surface is performed and a second retreated position retreated from the maintenance position. When an error occurs, a control portion causes the recording portion to retreat away from the first maintenance portion in a first direction. Then, the first maintenance portion is caused to retreat in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Furumido
  • Patent number: 12097706
    Abstract: An inkjet device includes a stage, a first suction member, a second suction member, a spray member, and a substrate. The first suction member is at a first side surface of the stage. The second suction member is at a second side surface of the stage. The spray member is configured to store ink and to move above top surfaces of the stage, the first suction member, and the second suction member, the spray member including a body and a nozzle at a side of the body to discharge the ink. The substrate is on the stage in which the ink discharged from the spray member is printed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Won Han
  • Patent number: 12097707
    Abstract: A wiping device includes a wiping member and a moving part. The wiping member wipes a liquid off a nozzle surface of a recording head. The moving part moves the wiping member along the nozzle surface in a predetermined moving direction. The wiping member performs a first wiping operation in which the wiping member is moved while not coming into contact with the nozzle surface but coming into contact with the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface, and a second wiping operation in which the wiping member is moved while coming into contact with the nozzle surface after the first wiping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Issei Nakano, Takuma Araki
  • Patent number: 12097708
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head and a wiper. The recording head is provided with a nozzle region where a plurality of ink ejection ports are opened downward. The wiper comes into contact with the nozzle region and moves in a predetermined direction to wipe the ink ejection ports. A head mounting part protruding outward is provided along the wiping direction on a side surface of the recording head at a position higher than the nozzle region. The head mounting part has: an outside portion having a water repellency higher than that of the side surface; and an inside portion provided inside the outside portion and having a water repellency smaller than that of the outside portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Inui, Naoto Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 12097709
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William C. Alberts, Vadim Bromberg, Kwok Pong Chan, Robert Edgar Estes, Jacob Mayer, Joshua Tyler Mook, Janet Mekker, William Cosmo Murphy, Arunkumar Natarajan, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Xi Yang, Travis Sands
  • Patent number: 12097710
    Abstract: A print liquid supply apparatus or interface structure to be connected to a print system comprises a liquid channel, liquid interface and integrated circuit contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Miquel Boleda Busquets, Bernd Karlsboeck, David Olsen, Michael E. Peterschmidt, Lynn A. Collie, Paul Allan Osborne, Wesley R. Schalk, Ronald J. Ender, Paul Mark Haines, Roger J. Kolodziej, Steve A. O′hara
  • Patent number: 12097711
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection die cartridge includes a cartridge body. The fluid-ejection die cartridge includes a fluid-ejection die fluidically attached to the cartridge body. The fluid-ejection die is to eject fluid. The fluid-ejection die cartridge includes a stamped nanoceramic layer on an exposed fluid-ejection nozzle plate of the fluid-ejection die attached to the cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael G Groh, Bo Song
  • Patent number: 12097712
    Abstract: A storage device includes a storage section including a plurality of walls and storing an object in a space surrounded by the walls; and a flexible printed substrate including a non-conductive first cover film layer, a non-conductive second cover film layer, a non-conductive base material layer provided between the first cover film layer and the second cover film layer, a conductive first conductor layer provided between the first cover film layer and the base material layer, and a conductive second conductor layer provided between the second cover film layer and the base material layer, in which the first cover film layer is provided between the second cover film layer and the storage section, the first conductor layer includes a first electrode provided in a first wall and a second electrode provided in a second wall, and the second conductor layer includes a constant voltage wiring held at a constant voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hosokawa, Takanori Yokoi, Motoki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 12097713
    Abstract: A storage device includes a storage section including a plurality of walls and storing an object in a space surrounded by the plurality of walls; a first electrode provided in a first portion of a first wall among the plurality of walls; and a second electrode provided in a second portion of a second wall among the plurality of walls, in which the first portion includes a first outer surface on which the first electrode is provided and a first inner surface opposite to the first outer surface, the second portion includes a second outer surface on which the second electrode is provided and a second inner surface opposite to the second outer surface, and the first inner surface of the first portion and the second inner surface of the second portion are subjected to a water-repellent treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hosokawa, Takanori Yokoi
  • Patent number: 12097714
    Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording method including recording an infrared absorbing image by applying a first ink, which contains an infrared absorber and a first curable compound, onto an impermeable substrate by an ink jet method, semi-curing the infrared absorbing image by irradiating the infrared absorbing image with active energy rays, recording a non-infrared absorbing image by applying a second ink, which has a content of the infrared absorber of lower than 0.1% by mass and contains a second curable compound, to a surface of the substrate with the infrared absorbing image by the ink jet method, and curing the semi-cured infrared absorbing image and the non-infrared absorbing image by irradiating these images with active energy rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misato Sasada, Toshiyuki Makuta
  • Patent number: 12097715
    Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate, a bonding material, an electrically conductive member, and a gold electrode. The bonding material is located on the substrate and contains gold and tin. The electrically conductive member is located on the bonding material. The gold electrode is located on the substrate and electrically connected to the bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Kato, Makoto Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 12097716
    Abstract: An inkjet print module includes: a printhead having first and second rows of print chips, the printhead having 180 degree rotational symmetry about a print axis parallel to a direction of droplet ejection; a cradle for removably receiving the printhead; and control circuitry for distributing data signals to the printhead via first and second data paths of the inkjet print module. The cradle is configurable for receiving the printhead in first and second printhead orientations relative to the print module, the second printhead orientation being rotated 180 degrees about the print axis relative to the first printhead orientation. The control circuitry is configurable to invert distribution of the data signals between the first and second data paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peter Crichton, Edmund James Grohn, Julie Hogan, Ronan Palliser
  • Patent number: 12097717
    Abstract: A mobile printer includes: a roll body accommodating portion including a first partition wall and accommodating a roll body on which a recording paper is wound; a print head; a transport unit; a power supply unit, and supplying a drive voltage signal to the print head and the transport unit; and a housing including a power supply surface to which the power receiving module is fixed, and covering the roll body accommodating portion, the print head, the transport unit, and the power supply unit, in which at least a part of the first partition wall is located between the power receiving module and the roll body accommodating portion along one direction from the power receiving module to the roll body accommodating portion, and a thickness of the first partition wall along the one direction is larger than a thickness of the power supply surface along the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Michihiro Shimizu, Kazuyuki Morimoto, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 12097718
    Abstract: A method for printing onto a substrate is disclosed. An ink is printed onto a liquid polymer layer to form a printed polymer layer. Printed substrates are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Hamilton, Andrew McVitie, Derek Smith, Samantha Davies
  • Patent number: 12097719
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for marking an optical eyeglass (1) equipped with a surface coating (5) comprising the following steps: A step of detreating by means of a laser beam, so as to locally detreat an area of the optical eyeglass by removing the surface coating (5) until a lower layer (7) of the eyeglass (1) is reached, which layer is located under said coating (5) and made of a material that is different from the surface coating (5), thus forming at least one the detreated zone (6, 11), A step of depositing an ink (9) in the detreated zone (6, 11) in order to form at least one inked pattern (4), so that the ink (9) adheres to the lower layer (7) present at the bottom (10) of the detreated zone (6, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Sebastien Maurice, Pamela McClimans, Luc Martin, Mark Hale
  • Patent number: 12097720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of magnetic assemblies and processes for producing optical effect layers (OELs) comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical oblate magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to magnetic assemblies processes for producing said OELs as anti-counterfeit means on security documents or security articles or for decorative purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Evgeny Loginov, Claude-Alain Despland
  • Patent number: 12097721
    Abstract: A trifold organizer includes a front page that includes a cover surface and a front page inner surface; a back page that includes a back surface and a back page inner surface; an inner page between the front page and the back page, the inner page comprises a inner page front surface and a back inner page surface; a power supply mounted to the back inner page surface; a light in electrical communication with the power supply; and a charging port in electrical communication with the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventor: Nicole Mehringer
  • Patent number: 12097722
    Abstract: A thermoplastic writing composition includes at least one particulate filler including one or more of days, silicates, or carbonates, at least one thermoplastic binder material including one or more of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene, one or more waxes chosen from soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax, at least one colorant, and optionally, at least one surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Keith Allison, Victor Hugo Bedoya
  • Patent number: 12097723
    Abstract: Provided is a retractable writing instrument including a pen point, a barrel, and a clip. The pen point is configured to be in a state of projecting from the barrel or a state of being retracted into the barrel by sliding the clip in a longitudinal direction of the barrel. The clip includes a clip body extending in the longitudinal direction of the barrel, a ball portion provided on a front side of the clip body and projecting in a direction of a surface of the barrel, and a clip base provided on a rear side of the clip body and is configured to produce a biasing force in a direction of a surface of the barrel. The surface of the barrel includes a guide groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the barrel and provided with a pair of side surfaces to restrict lateral movement of the ball portion, and the guide groove has a through groove capable of causing the ball portion to be in a noncontact state in a direction of the biasing force at least when the pen point is in the retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 12097724
    Abstract: An eco-friendly activator-free water transfer printing film includes a water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin layer set on a superabsorbent film and made of a water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin which is formed by acrylic copolymer emulsion, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) resin and provided crosslinking an end surface with the water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin layer after another end surface of the superabsorbent film absorbs water and becomes softened; and an information body set on the water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin layer; so that the present invention is simply set on a water surface to crosslink the superabsorbent film with the water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin layer to produce the adhesiveness of the water-based modified acrylic copolymer resin layer without using any activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: YIHAO NANOMETER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tien-Shui Chen, Chi-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 12097725
    Abstract: A bolt together wheel assembly with deflation system includes an inner wheel half, an outer wheel half, a bolt cover ring, and a removable valve stem. Clamping bolts and clamping nuts secure the outer wheel half to the inner wheel half. Venting port plugs secure the bolt cover ring to the outer wheel half over the clamping bolts. Loosening one or more of the venting port plugs to access the clamping bolts opens a seal to a vent port within the inner wheel half and releases pressurized air from a tire on the wheel, ensuring that the tire is deflated before the wheel can be disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Austin Hensel
  • Patent number: 12097726
    Abstract: A tire comprises a tread portion including a first land portion provided with axially extending first lateral sipes. The first lateral sipe has a first sipe wall and a second sipe wall, and opens at a ground contacting top surface via a chamfer portion. The chamfer portion comprises a first sloped surface and a second sloped surface respectively connected to the first sipe wall and the second sipe wall. In a top view of the first land portion, the width W1 of the first sloped surface is larger than the width W2 of the second sloped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukako Kitamura, Yuya Meguro
  • Patent number: 12097727
    Abstract: A plurality of side blocks each has a high protruding portion, an amount by which the high protruding portion protrudes relative to a reference surface which is an exterior surface in a region peripheral to an insignia being not less than a maximum amount by which the insignia protrudes relative to the reference surface. The plurality of side blocks include a first side block which as viewed in the tire radial direction appears to overlap the insignia, and a second side block which as viewed in the tire radial direction appears not to overlap the insignia. An inner end in the tire radial direction of the high protruding portion of the first side block is separated in the tire radial direction from the insignia, and a portion of the high protruding portion of the second side block appears to overlap the insignia as viewed in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiki Sato
  • Patent number: 12097728
    Abstract: A tire, comprising a module and a receptacle connected to an inner surface of the tire. Therein, the receptacle comprises wall(s), which wall(s) limit(s) openings comprising at least a first opening and a second opening. Therein, part of the module extends through at least the second opening such that the wall(s) of the receptacle laterally surround(s) only a first part of the module such that at least a second part of the module is arranged outside the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJ
    Inventors: Teemu Soini, Atte Antikainen, Jani Räisänen, Jari Ojala, Mikko Turunen, Simo Vapaakoski
  • Patent number: 12097729
    Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided for use with a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, each of which includes an electronic device configured to sense a condition of the tire. Attachment pegs are provided to attach the printed circuit boards together in stacked positions that are spaced apart by the attachment pegs. Each attachment peg has a lower end portion configured to attach to any one of the printed circuit boards. Each attachment peg further has an upper end portion configured to attach to any other one of the printed circuit boards. This enables the printed circuit boards to be attached interchangeably between the stacked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin E. Scheifele, Hans R. Dorfi
  • Patent number: 12097730
    Abstract: A bead exerciser system for an automated wheel assembly may include a center lift configured to lift a wheel assembly off of a conveyor belt, a drum roller configured to rotate the wheel assembly, a pair of pinch rollers driven by a driver and configured to apply force to a tire of the wheel assembly, a force sensor configured to detect a force of the tire against the pinch rollers, and a controller configured to receive the force from the force sensor and generate a command for an alert in response to the force falling outside of a predefined threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TIRE COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith Martin Smiley, Todd Allen Campbell, Daniel Jonathan Ehlke, Harsh Suresh Shah
  • Patent number: 12097731
    Abstract: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, including: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, having a tow vehicle with a hitch mount having a spring bar. The system may also include a trailer and a spring bar mount disposed on the trailer and having an initial position relative to the trailer, where the spring bar mount is configured to receive and engage the spring bar. Furthermore, a weight distribution measurement device disposed in association with the tow vehicle and being configured and arranged to determine a weight distribution of the tow vehicle when the spring bar is engaged with the spring bar mount and a weight distribution actuator can be configured and arranged to adjust the height of the spring bar mount while engaged with the spring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Dexter Axle Company LLC
    Inventors: Jed K. Anderson, David F. Lundgreen, Jason R. Harper
  • Patent number: 12097732
    Abstract: A stowable stacked receiver has a fixed drawbar portion that allows affixation to a towing vehicle. Attached to the fixed drawbar portion is a movable stacked receiver that can pivot between a use and a stowed position. In the use position, the stacked receivers can receive a removable drawbar in a plurality of positions, and the stacked receivers are adjacent a flat surface on the fixed drawbar portion. In the stowed position, the stacked receivers are located underneath the fixed drawbar portion. A locking pin can be used to secure the movable stacked receiver in either the use or stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Gen-Y Creations, LLC
    Inventor: Carl J. Borkholder
  • Patent number: 12097733
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to an amphibious vehicle (or amphibian) that is viable on land as well as on water. Aspects of the present disclosure more specifically are directed toward an amphibious vehicle that employs hydrofoils and other features, for example, for efficient cruising when in water. The amphibious vehicle may be embodied as a personal amphibious vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventor: Steve E Tice
  • Patent number: 12097734
    Abstract: A suspension includes inner magnets coupled to an inner cylindrical member and outer magnets coupled to an outer cylindrical member that circumscribes the inner cylindrical member. The inner magnets are stacked on top of one another in an axial direction and include a first set having a first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having a second polarity. The outer magnets are stacked on top of one another in the axial direction and include a first set having the first polarity alternately arrayed with a second set having the second polarity. Each inner magnet in the first set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the second set and each inner magnet in the second set is radially aligned with an outer magnet in the first set to provide an attractive electromagnetic field between the magnets that passively absorbs axial displacement between the inner and outer cylindrical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC
    Inventors: Fazel Farahmand, Lucas Rieckhoff
  • Patent number: 12097735
    Abstract: A method of automatically applying damping force interventions for dynamic weight balancing in a suspension system of a vehicle may include receiving ride height information associated with respective individual wheels of the vehicle and vehicle attitude information from vehicle sensors, determining, based on the ride height information and the vehicle attitude information, whether a trigger event has occurred, and generating a first damping intervention signal to change a damping force applied by a first selected adjustable damper responsive to determining that the trigger event has occurred. The first selected damper may be one of a plurality of adjustable dampers associated with respective ones of the individual wheels of the vehicle. The first selected adjustable damper may be associated with only one of a pair of rear wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Jenkin Gerlach, Jason Wallace Michener
  • Patent number: 12097736
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an outside sensor configured to acquire information on an outside circumstance of the vehicle, a vehicle height adjusting device configured to adjust a vehicle height, and a control device configured to control the vehicle. The control device is configured to control the vehicle height adjusting device such that the vehicle height becomes a vehicle height corresponding to a platform condition at a predetermined stop position when the vehicle stops at the predetermined stop position. The control device is configured to control the vehicle height adjusting device based on a height of an obstacle such that the obstacle does not interfere with the vehicle when the obstacle is detected at the predetermined stop position by the outside sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Hokai, Hiromitsu Urano, Kunihito Satou, Masahiro Harada, Hojung Jung, Shuichi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 12097737
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a leveling control method for a multi-point support platform, which comprises the steps: respectively measuring and obtaining a load-bearing interaction matrix and a deformation interaction matrix of the platform to construct a load-bearing and deformation joint control matrix; calculating the optimal loads of the legs and measuring the current loads of the legs to obtain the load deviation rates of the legs, and determining if the platform warrants leveling in combination with the two-dimensional inclination angles of the platform; constructing a platform geometry and leg load joint control equation according to the two-dimensional inclination angles of the platform, the load deviations of the legs and the load-bearing and deformation joint control matrix, calculating the actuation quantities of the legs and performing synchronous leveling; and determining the load deviation rates of the legs and the two-dimensional inclination angles of the platform cyclically and performing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Wentao Yang, Xianyue Gang, Huiheng Wang, Jixing Wu, Aibing Liu, Chunyi Lv
  • Patent number: 12097738
    Abstract: One or more systems, methods and/or non-transitory, machine-readable mediums are described herein for controlling a suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Xingjian Jing, Menghua Zhang
  • Patent number: 12097739
    Abstract: A rinsing system includes: a pump control module configured to, when a hydraulic line is connected to a port that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic line of a suspension system, selectively operate a hydraulic fluid pump of the suspension system and pump hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid tank of the suspension system through the hydraulic fluid pump toward the hydraulic line; and a valve control module configured to, when the hydraulic line is connected to the port and the hydraulic fluid pump is pumping hydraulic fluid, open valves of the suspension system and fluidly connect the hydraulic fluid pump with the hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: DRIV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Nandish Calchand, Bert Vandersmissen, Kylian Praet, Stein Slootmaekers, Peter Boon
  • Patent number: 12097740
    Abstract: A support system includes a primary actuator that transfers force between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass. A control system operates the primary actuator to provide additional control when a damper exceeds a capacity threshold. The control system changes the capacity threshold according to the environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Matisse J. Milovich, Paul J. Keas, Neal M. Lackritz
  • Patent number: 12097741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilizer assembly of a two-track vehicle for stabilizing a rolling movement, the stabilizer assembly being operable on at least two different spring characteristics, comprising a first and a second stabilizer half, each coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first and the second stabilizer halves are coupled such that they can rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal axis by means of a spring element, whereby the stabilizer is operable with a first spring characteristic, and wherein the first and the second stabilizer halves can be hydraulically coupled such that they can rotate relative to each other about their longitudinal axis by means of a hydraulic actuator, whereby the stabilizer is operable using at least one second spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignees: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, MUHR UND BENDER KG
    Inventors: Robert Krueger, Daniel Schröder, Thomas Schrüllkamp, Alexander Stichling, Simon Hofrichter
  • Patent number: 12097742
    Abstract: There is provided a suspension arm for a vehicle used in a suspension device of a vehicle. The suspension arm may include: a body portion constituting a basic body of the suspension arm; and a plurality of mounting portions configured to connect the suspension arm to a wheel-side member or a vehicle-body-side member. At least one of the plurality of mounting portions may be configured to include a bushing coupling portion and a fastening portion formed to extend from the bushing coupling portion to one side, such that the fastening portion may be coupled to a coupling portion provided on one side of the body portion in surface-contact with state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: ILJIN Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se Woong Jeong, Ig Jin Kwon, Seong Soon Hwang, Hyun Tae Bang, Ki Ho Kim, Hwan Soo Song
  • Patent number: 12097743
    Abstract: A suspension structure for vehicle (a suspension arm for vehicle) is formed of a first plate and a second plate, and includes a mounting part for mounting a component (a collar or a bush). The first plate is partially open toward a first flat plate part so that a first mounting surface can be formed by stamping in a state of a single unit where a first flat plate part is bent. The second plate is also partially open toward a second flat plate part. The mounting part is configured by facing the first flat plate part of the first plate and the second flat plate part of the second plate each other at a distance, and disposing the first mounting surface and a second mounting surface at a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: YOROZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Tamura, Takuto Takase, Kengo Andou
  • Patent number: 12097744
    Abstract: A closure element (1, 28) for a ball joint (16) in a vehicle. The closure element has a receptacle (2, 29) for accommodating an electronic component (6). To be able to reduce the effort and cost of creating an interface, between the closure element and the electronic component, the closure element (1, 28) has a receptacle (2, 29) which is made of a plastic material and is injection-molded onto one side (3) of the closure element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Lahrmann, Jan Duetz, Thomas Kramer, Arnold Blanke
  • Patent number: 12097745
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for controlling a temperature of a computer disposed in an enclosed compartment of a vehicle. The system includes at least one temperature sensor associated with the computer, the at least one temperature sensor for providing temperature data in connection with the computer to a control module; at least one air vent provided in a surface of the enclosed compartment, wherein the at least one air vent is positioned to direct air flow to a designated area of the computer; an air conditioning system for generating air at an air temperature specified by the control module based at least in part on the temperature data provided by the at least one temperature sensor; and at least one duct for conducting the air generated by the air conditioning system into the enclosed compartment via the at least one vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David Lee Hyatt
  • Patent number: 12097746
    Abstract: An embodiment heat exchanger includes a first flow path through which a refrigerant discharged from a condenser and drawn into an expansion valve flows and a second flow path through which the refrigerant discharged from a vapor-liquid separator and drawn into a compressor flows, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to perform a heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path and the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai WIA Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Shin Lee, Ki Mok Kim, Man Ju Oh, Man Hee Kim, Se Min Lee, Bong Jun Park
  • Patent number: 12097747
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an input signal detector and a processor. The input signal detector detects an input signal that is based on a predetermined switch operation of a switch in the vehicle. The processor controls a defroster of the vehicle and an idle reduction, on the basis of the detection of the input signal performed by the input signal detector. The input signal detector includes a first detector that detects rising of the input signal that is based on the switch operation, and a second detector that detects falling of the input signal that is based on the switch operation. The processor drives the defroster on the basis of the detection of the input signal performed by the first detector, and prohibits the idle reduction on the basis of the detection of the input signal performed by the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shotaro Inoue, Yuki Ohara, Ayaka Mino
  • Patent number: 12097748
    Abstract: A vehicle air control system includes a vehicle body that defines an interior. A first particulate matter sensor is coupled to an exterior of the vehicle body. A second particulate matter sensor is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. A temperature sensor is coupled to the exterior of the vehicle body. A vehicle speed sensor is coupled to the vehicle body. A heat, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system is disposed within the interior of the vehicle body. The HVAC system includes an inlet door rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position therebetween. A controller is configured to receive a signal from at least one of the first and second particulate matter sensors, the temperature sensors, and the vehicle speed sensor. The controller is configured to rotate the inlet door in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gutowski, David Alan Wong