Electromagnet Patents (Class 188/161)
  • Patent number: 12129915
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation. A lock collar is selectably engageable with a first side gear to selectably prevent the first side gear and a second side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. A coil disposed at an end of the differential case. An armature selectably magnetically actuatable by the coil. An armature position indicator arm rigidly attached to the armature for simultaneous movement with the armature. At least two relay pin assemblies are each connected to the lock collar and connected to the armature to space the lock collar a predetermined distance from the armature for translation parallel to the axis of rotation. A sensor connected to the differential case to detect a proximity of the armature position indicator arm to the sensor and to output an electrically detectable signal indicative of an engagement status of the lock collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Rupesh Madhukar Surve, Aniket Khanderao Yadav
  • Patent number: 12129895
    Abstract: A bistable electromagnetic clutch is provided that includes a first part, a second part and an spring part. The first part includes a yoke with a plurality of iron cores, and an electromagnetic coil on each of the iron cores. The second part includes a moving carrier disc and a magnetic conductive disc that is fixed on a side of the moving carrier disc that is away from the yoke. Several magnets are fixed on the moving carrier disc, and the iron cores and the magnets are provided in a correspondence relation. The spring part is configured to keep the moving carrier disc and the yoke in normally separated positions. Two adjacent electromagnetic coils form a group, two electromagnetic coils in a same group are wound to form a group of windings with identical magnetic polarities, and corresponding two magnets form a group of magnetomotive forces with identical magnetic polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: JING-JIN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Cao, Ping Yu, Jianwen Li
  • Patent number: 12092212
    Abstract: Parking brake assembly for a transmission in a vehicle with an electric actuation of the parking brake via a mechanism and with an emergency actuator with a lift magnet on a spring accumulator for application of the parking brake. The spring accumulator has a pawl rotatable about a pivot point connected to the lift magnet and a mass element connected to the pawl and rotatable about a second pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Steiner, Andras Kristofcsak
  • Patent number: 12068666
    Abstract: A drive unit has a first electric rotary machine and a second electric rotary machine as well as a first shaft and a second shaft. The first electric rotary machine is arranged at least partly radially and axially within an area radially delimited by the second electric rotary machine, and the stator of the first electric rotary machine and the stator of the second electric rotary machine are mechanically fixed to each other. The drive unit comprises a coolant supply device which is arranged adjacently to the stators in the axial direction and by means of which coolant can be supplied axially between and/or into the stators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Steffen Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11999335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc brake, and more specifically, to a disc brake apparatus using a generator-combined motor, the disc brake apparatus comprising a fixed plate which has coil elements arranged radially and rotating plates which have magnet bodies arranged radially and corresponding to the coil elements, wherein: electric attraction between the fixed plate and the rotating plates enables primary braking and friction therebetween enables secondary braking, so as to minimize the occurrence of metal powder in a braking process, thereby preventing environmental pollution; and an electric reaction between the coil elements and the magnet bodies enables production of electricity, which can be used for power generation and to ensure electromotive power, thereby further improving use efficiency of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: JSH ECO ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suk Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 11981002
    Abstract: A tool system for installing a parking pawl includes a tool that includes a base, a plate, and an actuator. The base includes a base surface configured to support a parking pawl in a predetermined position. The plate includes a protrusion that extends upward from a front portion of the plate. A rear portion of the plate is coupled to a front portion of the base. The plate is movable relative to the base between a retention position in which the protrusion is positioned to retain a pawl spring loaded on the parking pawl in a pretensioned state, and a release position in which the protrusion is configured to release the pawl spring. The actuator is operably coupled to the plate such that activation of the actuator moves the plate between the retention position and the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Brandon Paul Wilson, Zachary Alan Westhoff, Edward Lee Hollingsworth, Sr., David Eastman, Thomas Edward Krol
  • Patent number: 11970352
    Abstract: A brake is provided for an idler roll (10) of a fiber web machine, in particular of a slitter-winder, which idler roll (10) has an outer shell surface (13). The brake (20) is located outside the outer shell surface (13) of the idler roll (10) in close vicinity of the idler roll (10) in a non-contacting position. The brake (20) has a permanent magnet (25), which is configured to be moved from non-braking position to a braking position and vice versa by an actuator or cylinder (35, 45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Arto Leskinen
  • Patent number: 11953067
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake disc in rotational engagement with a wheel of a vehicle, a brake pad which frictionally engages the brake disc in a dynamic braking operation and a parking brake operation, a dynamic actuator adapted to bring the brake pad and brake disc into the frictional engagement in the dynamic braking operation, and a parking brake actuator associated with the dynamic actuator such that, in the parking brake operation, the frictional engagement of the brake disc and brake pad is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Csaba Kokrehel, Huba Nemeth, Andreas Buch, Andras Sipos, Viktor Tihanyi, Janos Szabo, Csaba Mlinarcsek, Wolfgang Pahle, Robert Trimpe, Michael Blessing, Matthias Klingner
  • Patent number: 11883718
    Abstract: A magnetic control device for directly sensing the motion load value especially the one that has a magnetic resistance mechanism which is “floating” and pivoted on the inner edge of the outer ring body of a flywheel; an acting rod, one end of is locked on the outside of the magnetic resistance mechanism and synchronized with it, and the other end has a pressure applied member connected to the beam load cell; a torque value conversion unit for converting the load value of the beam load cell into a torque value; so as to achieve directly measuring the motion load value, which has the effect of improving the detection accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Chi Hua Fitness Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 11807493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of retrofitting a legacy hoist machine including: attaching a primary brake assembly to an end surface of a machine shaft, and configuring a controller to: control the primary brake assembly to provide service braking; and control a brake drum assembly as a secondary brake assembly to thereby apply emergency braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher H. Koenig, Barry G. Blackaby, Daniel B. Davis, Gregory M. O'Seep, John Eschenbrenner, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala
  • Patent number: 11804752
    Abstract: A drive includes an electric motor with a brake and a fan cowl. The fan cowl is connected to a housing, in particular to a stator housing part, of the electric motor in a detachable manner. A rod is able to be passed through a cover part, which projects through a recess, in particular a recess arranged in the form of a slot, in the fan cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Essert, Andreas Lutz
  • Patent number: 11777391
    Abstract: Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Eddy Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Patent number: 11624415
    Abstract: A caliper brake for braking a moving component, including a housing and two brake shoes, which are movable within the housing toward the component to be braked, and a bearing part, which is movable within the housing by an actuator. The brake shoes each have a wedge surface on a side facing away from the component to be braked, by which a braking force acting on the bearing part is transmitted to the brake shoes with deflection and force multiplication. For higher braking forces using a spring-actuated brake, and to reduce the effects of spring travel on the braking force, the bearing part has offset bearing locations against which the wedge surfaces of each brake shoe bear. The wedge surfaces each have, in the region of the bearing locations, a step which is overcome during a closing movement of the brake shoes before they engage the component to be braked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ringspann GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Mayer
  • Patent number: 11566674
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake actuator (2) includes a housing (1), a first housing part (3) configured as a housing flange for attaching the electromechanical brake actuator (2) to a disc brake (38), a second housing part (4) for receiving a drive (6), a third housing part (5) arranged between the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) and connected to the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4), a motor (37), a gearbox (7), and a tappet (9) or a spindle for actuating a disc brake (38). The housing (1) is an aluminum die-cast formed part. The first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) have planar contact surfaces (34, 34a) configured to receive plates of a two-plate die-casting machine during the forming process of the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: WABCO Europe BVBA
    Inventors: Peter Beier, Paul Henning, Bartlomiej Tomala
  • Patent number: 11536333
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operable brake arrangement for decelerating a rotationally mounted shaft, includes a magnet, a coil, a spring element, an armature disk, a brake pad support, a damping plate and a friction disk, the damping plate being situated between the armature disk and the magnet; the damping plate having projections; each of the projections extending further in a radial direction than in a circumferential direction; in particular, the projections each jutting out axially; in particular, at least a subset of the projections being evenly spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Gerolf Fichtner-Pflaum
  • Patent number: 11485610
    Abstract: A bi-stable brake actuator is provided and includes a fixed core movable in a first direction, a coil disposed in the fixed core and configured to generate magnetic fields of opposite polarities when supplied with opposing currents, respectively, a movable core disposed to move between retracted and extended positions with respect to the fixed core and the coil in exclusively a second direction defined orthogonally with respect to the first direction and a permanent magnet assembly. The permanent magnet assembly is disposed to move between first and second positions in accordance with the coil being supplied with the opposing currents, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ruben Sanchez Munoz
  • Patent number: 11391366
    Abstract: A torque transfer device has a ring gear and inner and outer planet gear sets, which may not be orbiting but rotating in fixed positions relative to a housing. One of the gear sets may comprise compound gears. There may also be a sun gear connected to a planet gear set. The sun gear may be an input and the ring gear an output for a reducing gear system to act as a torque amplifier. The gears may be tapered and there may also be an axial force applied to one of the gear sets to tighten the meshing between the tapered gears. One of the gear sets, for example a gear set to which an axial force is applied, may be floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GENESIS ROBOTICS AND MOTION TECHNOLOGIES CANADA, ULC
    Inventor: James Brent Klassen
  • Patent number: 11346419
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a motor vehicle drivetrain for coupling coupling elements for conjoint rotation includes a clutch unit, a brake unit and at least one permanent magnet between the clutch unit and the brake unit. The clutch unit is shiftable into a coupling state in which the coupling elements are coupled to one another by shifting the clutch unit from a first position in which the coupling elements are decoupled into a second position in which the coupling elements are coupled. First and second electrically energizable coils are electrically energizable to move the permanent magnet from the first position into the second position or vice versa. A holding plate is located adjacent to the at least one permanent magnet to suppress magnetic flux from the at least one permanent magnet to the brake unit. A motor vehicle drivetrain containing at least one clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Liebert, Ulrich Ohnemus
  • Patent number: 11289971
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor brake device comprising: a solenoid module disposed along the circumferential outer peripheral surface of an outer rotor-type motor; a first friction member coupled to one surface of a motor rotor along the direction of a rotary shaft of a motor; and a second friction member disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the rotor, and selectively coming in contact with or being spaced from the first friction member by the solenoid module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaekyu Shim, Sungjin Park, Woojong Cho, Heeseung Choi
  • Patent number: 11287841
    Abstract: An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Asuka Koike, Kazunari Takahashi, Misuzu Takahashi, Atsushi Goto, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 11280388
    Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly transitioning a load between two different actuators each having a different transmission ratio are described herein. A multiple drive, variable transmission ratio (MD-VTR) system includes two drive actuators, each having different reduction ratios, a locking mechanism, and a differential transmission subsystem. In one aspect, a MD-VTR system includes a locking mechanism disposed between a drive actuator and an input port of the differential. The locking mechanism couples the input port of the differential to a stationary reference frame element in a locked state. In an unlocked state, the locking mechanism couples the drive actuator to the input port of the differential. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes an actuator to actively transition between the locked and unlocked states. In some other embodiments, the locking mechanism transitions between the locked and unlocked states based on torque applied by the drive actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Empower Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Girard, Haruhiko Harry Asada
  • Patent number: 11272909
    Abstract: A surgical system which may include a controller, a data entry device, a powered surgical handpiece and a surgical tool adapted to couple to the surgical handpiece. The surgical handpiece can include motor direction control and feedback, safety stop features, stimulation and nerve integrity monitoring, a tool connector assembly configured to retain a variety of surgical tools and optional navigation and/or electric ratcheting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Koltz, Christopher L. Fair, Michael S. Ferrell, Andrzej Klimaszewski, David J. Little, II, Manfred K. Luedi, Gerould Norman, Robert K. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 11268586
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a brake-by-wire actuator based on motor-magnetorheological fluid clutch. The system includes a motor, a transmission mechanism and a floating-caliper disc mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a magnetorheological fluid clutch, a planetary gear set and a ball screw set. The ball screw set includes balls, a ball screw and a sleeve. The floating-caliper disc mechanism includes a brake pad back plate, left and right brake pads, a caliper body, a brake disc and a guide rail. The motor and the magnetorheological fluid clutch cascaded in series, the linear motion of the sleeve of the ball screw set is achieved by the magnetorheological fluid clutch and the transmission mechanism. The sleeve pushes forward the brake pad back plate of the floating-caliper disc mechanism to clamp the brake disc by left and right brake pads, which accomplishes braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xianxu Bai, Yang Liu, Yang Li
  • Patent number: 11242222
    Abstract: A support member of a braking device includes a body configured to couple to the braking device. The body has a first portion including a first inclined body surface and a second inclined body surface. The first portion is receivable within an opening having a first inclined opening surface and second inclined opening surface. The first inclined body surface is complementary to the first inclined opening surface and the first portion of the body is movable within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Tanjil Mustafa
  • Patent number: 11150351
    Abstract: A brake control device includes an electronic controller that executes an ABS control on a rotating body of a human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller executes the ABS control based on a relationship between a first speed and a second speed related to the human-powered vehicle. The first speed includes a speed of the human-powered vehicle based on information of a traveling environment. The second speed includes a speed of the human-powered vehicle based on a rotational speed of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Fukuda, Toshihiko Takahashi, Hitoshi Takayama, Masahiro Nakakura, Takehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11141619
    Abstract: A spinner bike with adjustable magnetic resistance includes a generator, a disc plate, a magnetic resistance adjusting apparatus and a resistance adjusting apparatus. The elements are disposed on a frame body of a spinner bike, so that a pedaling mechanism of the spinner bike can be operated to drive a flywheel and the disc plate for generating electricity by the cutting of flux formed by a plurality of magnets surrounding an armature core. Rotating a button of the resistance adjusting apparatus enables a connecting rod operating a pulling cable, so as to further alter coverage of the flux on the disc plate for adjustment of the loading resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Chi Hua Fitness Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Pin Liu, Shang-Ta Wu
  • Patent number: 11009090
    Abstract: A method for preventing motion of an output shaft (401), of an electromagnetic motor comprising a coil assembly, when a mechanical brake (400) is released, comprising the steps of: determining the position of the output shaft (401); correlating the position of the output shaft (401) with a current such that when applied in the coil assembly induces a force on the output shaft (401) to prevent motion of the output shaft (401) when the mechanical brake (400) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Kirby, James A. Cooke
  • Patent number: 10976827
    Abstract: An input device, in particular joystick, with an operating device and a magnetorheological brake device and a controller for activating the brake device. The operating device includes a supporting structure and an operating lever, which is accommodated on the supporting structure for pivoting around at least one pivot axis. The brake device is coupled with the pivot axis for controlled damping of a pivoting motion of the operating lever by way of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 10822200
    Abstract: Elevator systems are described that include a traveling component movable along a guide rail and an overspeed safety system. The safety system includes a safety brake connected to an electromechanical actuator. A safety brake element of the safety brake is operable to engage with the guide rail to stop the traveling component. The electromechanical actuator includes a frame, a first magnetic element operably connected to the safety brake, a second magnetic element movably attached to the frame, and a third magnetic element fixedly attached to the frame. The second magnetic element is movable to urge the first magnetic element from a first position toward a second position. In the second position, the first magnetic element is located proximate the third magnetic element. As the first magnetic element transitions from the first position to the second position, the safety brake element is actuated into engagement with the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall S. Dube
  • Patent number: 10784762
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first disk that is rotatable and has a plurality of electro-permanent magnets disposed in a radial array on a surface of the first disk; and a second disk rotatably mounted adjacent to the first disk such that a gap separates the second disk from the first disk, where the second disk has a plurality of ferromagnetic elements disposed in respective radial array on a respective surface of the second disk. Applying an electric pulse to at least one electro-permanent magnet of the plurality of electro-permanent magnets changes a magnetic state of the electro-permanent magnet, thereby (i) generating an external magnetic field that traverses the gap between the first disk and the second disk and interacts with a corresponding ferromagnetic element of the plurality of ferromagnetic elements, and (ii) causing the second disk to rotate as the first disk rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Michael Grundmann, Jonathan Ross
  • Patent number: 10763721
    Abstract: An electric machine comprises a frame, a cooling fan disposed in a fan housing and an integrated airflow inducer in a shape of a partial cone. The partial cone defines a skirt disposed as a differential sized ring with a larger entrance and a smaller exit around the frame of the electric machine at a boundary between the frame and the fan housing including a rotating fan to cool the electric machine. The integrated airflow inducer includes an inducer inlet and an inducer outlet. The integrated airflow inducer is configured to increase an airflow across the frame of the electric machine as the rotating fan develops a higher pressure at the inducer outlet than the inducer inlet of the integrated airflow inducer so that the integrated airflow inducer takes advantage of the high pressure to draw in air from a low pressure at the inducer inlet so that the electric machine operates at a lower temperature than without the integrated airflow inducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Gaerke, Daniel Lasorso
  • Patent number: 10751573
    Abstract: A weight loading system for fitness equipments includes a fitness equipment support, a rally rope, a motor, a motor driving and a motor control unit. The motor is a permanent magnet brushless DC motor with an external rotor structure, and the motor includes a stator mounted onto the fitness equipment support and an external rotor sheathed on the stator and rotatable with respect to the stator, and the rally rope is wound around the external rotor of the motor, and an end of the rally rope is coupled to the external rotor of the motor, and the other end of the rally rope is coupled to the power driving mechanism of the fitness equipment; the power driving mechanism is provided for driving the external rotor of the motor through the rally rope to rotate and generate a rally, and the motor control unit controls the motor to rotate in an opposite direction through the motor driving module, so as to produce a load force opposite to the rally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NINGBO JADA HEALTH TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weidong Lu
  • Patent number: 10671171
    Abstract: A magnetorheological transmission device and a method for influencing the coupling intensity of two components, which can be coupled and whose coupling intensity can be influenced. To influence the coupling intensity, a channel is provided, which contains a magnetorheological medium with magnetically polarizable particles. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in the channel in order to influence the magnetorheological medium in the channel. An outer component encloses an inner component. At least one of the two components is mounted via a separate bearing. A distance between the outer and inner components is at least 10 times as great as a typical mean diameter of the magnetically polarizable particles in the magnetorheological medium. The magnetic field of the magnetic field generating unit can be applied to the channel in order to selectively chain together the particles and/or release them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 10642467
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electronic input device includes a knob assembly defining an annular cavity and including a magnetically attractable armature. The electronic input device also includes a ratchet assembly disposed within the annular cavity and includes a ring magnet. The electronic input device includes a clutch mechanism that has a friction disc assembly, and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field that shifts the friction disc assembly between a first position in which the friction disc assembly prevents rotation of the ratchet assembly and a second position in which the ratchet assembly is free to rotate with the knob assembly. The ring magnet of the ratchet assembly interacts with the magnetically attractable armature to generate a ratcheting feedback in response to rotation of the knob assembly when the friction disc assembly is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Baptiste Merminod, Davin O'Mahony, Antoine Merminod
  • Patent number: 10577000
    Abstract: An apparatus a housing structure and a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly is configured to slide within the housing structure in a first direction associated with a direction of travel of the housing structure and in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. The magnetic assembly includes a first pole plate having a first polarity and a second pole plate having a second polarity that is opposite of the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Deborah A. Beron-Rawdon, Robert J. Atmur, Douglas C. Cameron, Jr., William P. Sargent
  • Patent number: 10233986
    Abstract: A motor vehicle brake, in particular a combined hydraulically and electromechanically actuatable motor vehicle brake, with an actuator assembly comprising: a housing, an actuator which can be moved relative to the housing for hydraulically or electromechanically moving a brake lining, a motor drive, a movement mechanism which is arranged between the motor drive and the movable actuator, a gear arrangement which is paired with the movement mechanism, and a separate self-locking device which is designed to block the movement mechanism when necessary, wherein the movement mechanism has a ball screw drive with a rotatable spindle and a nut which can be moved in the housing in a linear manner. The nut can be moved within the housing in order to move the actuator by rotating the spindle, and the gear arrangement has at least two gear stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Poertzgen, Steve Scherer, Christian Dilla, Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig
  • Patent number: 10215203
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated powertrain system is provided. The system includes a plurality of cylinder assemblies arranged in parallel at least partially along a vehicle. Each of the cylinder assemblies may include one or more cylinders, one or more electromagnetic devices secured to at least one of the ends of each cylinder, one or more pistons reciprocatingly received in the cylinders, and a piston rod coupled to the pistons. Each of the pistons includes a permanent magnet that creates a magnetic field interacting with an electromagnetic field generated by each of the electromagnetic devices. A pulling and/or pushing force may be selectively generated by the magnetic field and the electromagnetic field to enable the pistons to reciprocate within the cylinders. A crankshaft is coupled to the piston rods of the plurality of cylinder assemblies and directly coupled to at least one of front and rear axles of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nemesys Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Michael Nelson
  • Patent number: 10166413
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for controlled release of a descent line that can include a shaft secured to a first end of a descent line. Embodiments can include a magnet cradle housing fixedly coupled with the shaft, a first magnet retained by the magnet cradle housing, a coil assembly secured in magnetic proximity to the magnet assembly to generate an electric current by magnetic interaction with the magnet when the shaft is rotated. Embodiments can include a braking assembly powered by the magnet and coil assembly such that the decent of a user is slowed to a safe rate of speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: BAILOUT SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ragsdale, Troy S. Owens, Patrick Thomas Henke
  • Patent number: 10150000
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. The device may also include an electrical actuating device having an actuator for selectively engaging the locking device and moving the locking device between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NUSTEP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 10138961
    Abstract: A disk brake, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a brake lining arrangement with a friction lining and a pad back plate. The friction lining can interact with a brake disk in order to achieve a braking effect. The disc brake also comprises a vibration damping device which is arranged on a brake caliper or on a brake support, comprising at least one additional mass which is designed as a separate component. The vibration damping device further comprises a receiving pin which is secured to the brake caliper or to the brake support and via which the additional mass can be fixed to the brake caliper or to the brake support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive gmbH
    Inventors: Markus Mallmann, Marco Becker
  • Patent number: 10132365
    Abstract: A reaction plate for a clutch including an annular body, the annular body including an inner circumferential edge, an outer circumferential edge, a first surface between the inner and outer circumferential edges and facing a first axial direction and a second surface between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces and facing a second axial direction, the second surface including recesses covering at least 50 percent of the second surface. A clutch assembly including a friction plate, the friction plate having a first axially-facing surface including a friction material, a reaction plate, the reaction plate having a second axially-facing surface including recesses covering at least 50 percent of the second axially-facing surface and an actuation means arranged to displace the friction plate or the reaction plate such that the first and second axially-facing surfaces frictionally engage. A method of fabricating a reaction plate for a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rashid Farahati, Olusanmi Adeniran
  • Patent number: 10047802
    Abstract: Clutch for a motor vehicle, preferably for engaging and disengaging a drivetrain for all-wheel drive vehicles, comprising a first shaft, a second shaft coaxially arranged with the first shaft, a clutch sleeve, which is displaceable in an axial direction relative to the first shaft and the second shaft and which brings about a positive coupling or decoupling of the first shaft and the second shaft, together with a coil to which current can be applied, wherein the clutch sleeve is arranged, torsionally fixed to the first shaft, and wherein the coil to which current can be applied is arranged coaxially with the axial direction, wherein the clutch sleeve to which current can be applied can be displaced in an axial direction through the application of current to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Johannes Quehenberger, Johann Willberger
  • Patent number: 10040348
    Abstract: A motorized golfboard with bi-axle four wheel steering controlled by the horizontal force applied to a stability bar extending vertically from golfboard's frame. Steering this way is accomplished using three design features. First, a vertically angled pivot point behind the front wheel assembly and one in front of the rear wheel assembly. Second, structurally, the front and rear axles axles lie beyond the front and rear of the golfboard deck and frame. Third, the pivot points are centered on spring plates extending angularly upward from the horizontal, bottom face of the frame of the golfboard, so as to be disposed at an acute angle with respect to the deck of the golfboard. In combination, these three features work to allow the inboard wheels to move closer together and the outboard wheels to move further apart when the stability bar is forced to the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Jay Radenbaugh, Robert Anthony Wilk, Starling T Faraon, Dean F Fuschetti, Joseph Israel Wolf
  • Patent number: 9982725
    Abstract: An inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a rotor are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner cylindrical tubular portion at a counter-armature side location is larger than that of an armature side location in the rotor. An outer peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a stator are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical tubular portion at the counter-armature side location is larger than that of the armature side location in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fukumura
  • Patent number: 9945431
    Abstract: An inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a rotor are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner cylindrical tubular portion at a counter-armature side location is larger than that of an armature side location in the rotor. An outer peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a stator are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical tubular portion at the counter-armature side location is larger than that of the armature side location in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fukumura
  • Patent number: 9933032
    Abstract: This eddy-current retarding device includes: a magnet holding member that is coaxially provided to a rotating shaft and holds plural permanent magnets in a circumferential direction; a brake member that includes paired disk portions disposed on both sides of the magnet holding member in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a connecting portion that connects the paired disk portions, and an eddy-current generating portion that causes eddy current due to rotation of the permanent magnets, and this brake member being supported in a relatively rotatable manner with respect to the rotating shaft; and a friction brake that causes a friction member to press against the brake member at the time of braking to bring the brake member to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Kenji Imanishi, Yasutaka Noguchi, Takashi Futaba
  • Patent number: 9868613
    Abstract: In a braking apparatus, a forcing device forces a movable portion in a direction that places a friction member in contact with a rotating body. A braking force releasing device displaces the movable portion in a direction in which the friction member separates from the rotating body in opposition to the forcing device. A buffering member is disposed between a fixed portion and the movable portion, and is made of a flexible material. A deforming device deforms the buffering member by pressing the buffering member in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shimpei Momoki
  • Patent number: 9847741
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is configured to supply an electromagnetic holding brake of an electric motor with an operating voltage for releasing the holding brake, and a voltage that is reduced relative to the operating voltage for holding the holding brake in the released position. The operating voltage is supplied from a higher-level control system disposed separately from the motor and the holding brake. The circuit arrangement is disposed in or on the motor or in or on the holding brake and includes a voltage regulator adapted to regulate, independently of the operating voltage, the reduced voltage to a fixed value after the holding brake is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Schoenlinner, Christian von Le Suire
  • Patent number: 9757612
    Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NUSTEP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Weber, Neil M. Cole, Daniel C. Shnidman, Robert A. Law, Douglas R. Hennigar, Walter N. Cole
  • Patent number: 9601918
    Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft of a power generation system for operating in an island mode. The rotatable shaft is operatively coupled between a prime mover and a generator for supplying power to an island grid. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a controller for receiving at least one status or synchronization signal and for generating a control signal based on the at least one signal and an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking force on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by the control signal to regulate a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Stefan Schroeder, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer, Xiaoting Dong, Uwe Liebscher