Balancing Or Alignment Patents (Class 700/279)
  • Patent number: 11719332
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a transmission, a first measuring unit, a second measuring unit, and a controller. The transmission is configured to automatically shift gears between a driving shaft and a driven shaft to transmit power from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. The first measuring unit is configured to measure the magnitude of a roll angle of a vehicle body. The second measuring unit is configured to measure the angular velocity of the roll angle of the vehicle body. The controller is configured to inhibit the transmission from shifting gears, based on the magnitude and the angular velocity of the roll angle. This configuration provides a motorcycle that enables gear shift control with more detailed response to a situation of a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Arai, Shinji Misawa, Yukio Yokogawa, Asuka Ito
  • Patent number: 11085139
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid, a water control valve for supplying wash fluid during a fill cycle, and an accelerometer for measuring tub accelerations. A controller is configured for opening the control valve to provide the flow of water into the wash tub, measuring an acceleration of the wash tub using the accelerometer, and determining that a low flow condition exists based at least in part on the acceleration of the wash tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Andres Velasco, Mary Joy Frances Cardilino
  • Patent number: 11060862
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing rotation may include: a pattern portion connected to a rotator, and including patterns extending in a rotation direction of the rotator; a sensor group disposed opposite to the pattern portion, and configured to sense rotation of the rotator; and a rotation information calculator configured to calculate rotation information in response to a sensing signal output from the sensor group and measured by the rotation of the rotator during a single interval. The rotation information calculator may include a tilting determiner configured to compare one or more of peak values of the sensing signal with a maximum value of reference data or a minimum value of the reference data, and determine whether tilting occurs. The reference data may include unique data corresponding to a reference of an initial determination of whether tilting has occurred, and update data updated when tilting occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Woon Ji
  • Patent number: 10928267
    Abstract: A method for acquiring unbalance amount of a rotor, comprises: manufacturing a rotor where the rotational journal of the rotor forms the rotation axis of the rotor; mounting the connecting part to the rotational journal of the rotor to form an assembly where the connecting part forms the rotation axis of the assembly, the connecting part and the rotor can be rotated with a relative angle, and the relative position between the rotation axis of the rotor and the rotation axis of the rotor assembly is kept unchanged before and after the rotor and the connecting part are relatively rotated with the certain angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Weijian Guo, Fang Jiang
  • Patent number: 10794789
    Abstract: A method for balancing a vehicle wheel includes mounting a wheel to be balanced on a rotating shaft of a machine computerized for measuring imbalances, and selecting an optimum commercial balancing weight which, when positioned on a correction plane, minimizes residual imbalance on reference planes of the wheel where the balancing tolerance is considered. One compares the residual imbalance value at the reference planes with the prescribed balancing tolerance after subtracting a vector of the static imbalance generated by the optimum balancing weight. An indicator device is activated to indicate on the wheel the optimum axial position of a correction plane for a balancing weight where the residual imbalance at the reference planes is within tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Carlo Buzzi
  • Patent number: 10753030
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance, including one or more methods of operation, is provided herein. The washing machine appliance includes a wash basket rotatably mounted within a wash tub and being supported by a front bearing and a rear bearing. A method of operating the washing machine appliance includes rotating the wash basket within the wash tub at a basket speed and obtaining a front displacement amplitude, a rear displacement amplitude, and a wobble angle of the wash tub. Based at least in part on these measured values, front and rear bearing force amplitude thresholds and virtual bearing force values are calculated and compared. If the virtual bearing force value of either the front or rear bearing exceeds the respective bearing force amplitude threshold, an operating parameter of the washing machine appliance is adjusted to limit bearing forces resulting from out-of-balance loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Owen Davis
  • Patent number: 10708277
    Abstract: A service ecosystem for vehicles that includes various components that are connected to a cloud. One or more technicians wearing headsets can be verified and authenticated by the cloud to work on vehicles based on the technician's biometric information and on the vehicle service requested. The service ecosystem may provide instructions to the technicians to perform the vehicle service. The cloud may also provide requested technical service information to the technician and a service advisor and help to load balance technician so that the service can be completed as scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Thorley, Diwakar Sathyanarayanan, Shawn Dupuie
  • Patent number: 10669663
    Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10643613
    Abstract: An electronic device which includes a plurality of microphones and an audio data processing module is provided. The plurality of microphones is operatively coupled to the electronic device, and the audio data processing module is capable of being implemented with at least one processor. The audio data processing module recognizes a specified command, based on first audio data collected using a portion of the plurality of microphones and executes a function or an application corresponding to second audio data collected using all the plurality of microphones, when the specified command is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Lee, Kyung Tae Kim, Chakladar Subhojit, Seok Yeong Jung
  • Patent number: 10475478
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device, includes a disk including a track including a plurality of servo sectors, a head including a write head which writes data to the disk and a plurality of read heads which read the data from the disk, and a controller configured to simultaneously acquire a plurality of pieces of correction data for repeatable runout of the disk by the read heads, acquire a first correction data and a second correction data based on the correction data, write the first correction data and the second correction data to the disk, and correct a position of the head based on the first correction data and the second correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Tagami
  • Patent number: 10469468
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for automatically converting a user interface (UI). A Bluetooth-automatic authentication function is performed so as to automatically convert a current set UI to a stored UI corresponding to an authenticated Bluetooth terminal. In order to automatically convert UI of a terminal which is automatically authenticated in a short communication mode, at least one terminal ID for automatic authentication and UI configuration information corresponding to the terminal ID are set. When a terminal ID for automatic authentication is searched in a short distance communicating mode, a terminal corresponding to the searched terminal ID is automatically authenticated. The present UI configuration information corresponding to the automatically authenticated terminal is automatically applied to a current terminal UI, so that a current UI such as a main screen and a main menu category can be automatically converted to a preset UI corresponding to each authenticated Bluetooth terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sang-Mo Hong, Yong-Soo Jung
  • Patent number: 10360740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a vehicle using sound data. One system includes a server storing a plurality of models and a communication device including a microphone. The communication device is configured to receive sound data received through the microphone associated with the vehicle and wirelessly transmit a diagnosis request to the server. The server is configured to receive the diagnosis request and select a model based on the vehicle data. The server is also configured to apply the selected model to the sound data to generate a response to the diagnosis request and wirelessly transmit the response to the diagnosis request to the communication device. The communication device is further configured to output at least a portion of the response on an output mechanism of the wireless communication device, the response including at least one diagnosis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rahul Kapoor, Sascha Vetter, Goktug Tankut Cinar, Carlos Eduardo Cunha, Jeffrey Keating Thompson
  • Patent number: 10302450
    Abstract: A system includes a first solution engine, second solution engine, output voter engine, and output modification engine. The first solution engine receives first sensor data associated with a first error rate, and determines at least one first flight parameter based on the first sensor data. The second solution engine receives the first sensor data and second sensor data associated with a second error rate, and determines at least one second flight parameter based on the first and second sensor data. The output voter engine determines a difference between the flight parameters, compares the difference to a first threshold, and generates an output including the at least one first flight parameter or the at least one second flight parameter. The output modification engine receives the output from the output voter engine, modifies a rate of change of the output to be less than a second threshold, and transmits the modified output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: James H. Doty, Vladislav Gavrilets
  • Patent number: 10273621
    Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10245004
    Abstract: A balancing system for use with a rotating member disposed in a stationary housing is configured for mounting to the stationary housing, and includes a first inclinometer and at least one processor. The first inclinometer is configured to provide inclination information at a first frequency, and to provide vibration information at a second frequency. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the first inclinometer to acquire the vibration information. The at least one processor is configured to determine a state of balance of the rotating member using the vibration information but not the inclination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Eric Christopher Aasen
  • Patent number: 10239635
    Abstract: A method for balancing an aircraft turbofan engine using a respective artificial neural network for each flight of multiple reference aircraft to predict the engine vibrations that would be produced in response to input of flight parameter and balance weight data acquired from a flight of a test aircraft of the same type. The resulting sets of predicted vibrations are then processed to identify and collect those engine vibration predictions which match or nearly match the engine vibration measurements acquired from the test aircraft during its flight test. For each matching modeled flight of the reference aircraft, the magnitude and phase angle of the mass vector for any commonly used balance weight configurations are determined and included in a list of recommended balance weight configurations. A technician can then reconfigure the balance weights attached to the engine on the test aircraft in accordance with a selected recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Omid B. Nakhjavani
  • Patent number: 10087761
    Abstract: Devices and methods useful for balancing high-pressure spools of gas turbine engines are disclosed. An exemplary device may comprise: an input shaft configured to be coupled to an output of an accessory gear box driven by a high-pressure spool of a gas turbine engine; a first trigger rotatably coupled to the input shaft at a first speed ratio; and a sensor configured to detect the trigger at each revolution of the trigger. The first speed ratio may permit a rotational speed of the first trigger to be substantially the same as a rotational speed of the high-pressure spool. Upon detection of the trigger, the sensor may generate one or more signals representative of each associated revolution of the high-pressure spool of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Calvert, Richard Brian Wirth, Danny Krause
  • Patent number: 10056789
    Abstract: A wireless sensor includes a wireless power module, a sensor module generating a sensor output, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module connected to the sensor module, a wireless transceiver (TRX) module operating in a receiving state by default to receive an RF input signal, transmitting an RF output signal based on digital signals when in a transmitting state, and switching back to the receiving state after a period, and a processing module connected to the ADC and TRX modules, activating the ADC module to convert the sensor output to the digital outputs when the TRX module is in the receiving state, and when receiving the digital signals, deactivating the ADC module and switching the TRX module to the transmitting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Yo-Sheng Lin, Kai-Siang Lan
  • Patent number: 9857272
    Abstract: A wheel monitoring system comprising a wheel, a bearing mechanically coupled to the wheel, an axle mechanically coupled to the bearing, and a wheel speed transducer (WST) disposed in the axle. The WST may be configured to detect vibrations. A method of monitoring a bearing is also provided and may comprise measuring a vibration of the bearing, comparing the vibration of the bearing to a predetermined vibration, and estimating a remaining useful life of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Summers, Steven Keller, Todd Rook, Michael Kordik
  • Patent number: 9851285
    Abstract: A digital densitometer for a fluid gauging system includes a frequency detection device configured to be disposed within a fluid tank, wherein a frequency detected by the frequency detection device is indicative of a density of a fluid within the fluid tank, frequency detection circuitry configured to obtain the frequency from the frequency detection device and output the frequency in a digital form, and an interface for digital communication with an electronic controller, the digital communication comprising transmission of the digital form of the frequency for the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Andrew Bahorich, Nalin Joshi
  • Patent number: 9536297
    Abstract: An image inspection apparatus for inspecting an image output on a recording medium. The image inspection apparatus includes processing circuitry that obtains data of an output-target image used by an image forming apparatus to conduct an image forming operation, generates read data from the data of the output-target image, and generates an inspection reference image from the data of the output-target image. The apparatus also performs position alignment between the read image and the inspection reference image, conducts an inspection which determines a defect in the read image based on the difference of the aligned read image and the inspection reference image, and determines whether a position alignment defect exists in the read image based on the defect detected during inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ato Araki, Tadashi Kitai
  • Patent number: 9482574
    Abstract: Method for determining a characteristic for the quality of alignment of a rotating machine, by obtaining vibration data with at least one vibration sensor, and using the vibration data obtained with the vibration sensor to determine a characteristic for the quality of alignment. Furthermore, alignment data obtained from first and second optoelectronic units is used in addition to the vibration data obtained with the at least one vibration sensor to produce a combination value from which both an instantaneous vibration state and success of the alignment can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Prueftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Dieter Busch, Heinrich Lysen
  • Patent number: 9479035
    Abstract: A method of rotor dynamic balancing for magnetic levitation molecular pump, including the steps of: activating an force free control module after activating a motor of the magnetic levitation molecular pump; if the maximum radial vibration amplitude does not exceed ½ of a protective clearance during the acceleration of the rotor under the control of the force free control module, indicating that the force free control module is able to inhibit the co-frequency vibration of the rotor, so as to allow the rotational speed of said rotor to exceed its rigid critical rotational speed; performing rotor dynamic balancing operation at a high speed by an influence coefficient method. The method of rotor dynamic balancing can directly perform rotor dynamic balancing operation with respect to the rotor at a high-speed, which facilitates the rotor dynamic balancing operation so as to perform the rotor dynamic balancing operation more quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: KYKY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Han Wu, Qizhi Li, Xiaozhang Zhang, Meng Zou
  • Patent number: 9470236
    Abstract: A rotor dynamic balancing method for a magnetic levitation molecular pump, which includes the steps of activating an open loop feed forward control module after activating a motor of the magnetic levitation molecular pump; if the maximum radial vibration amplitude does not exceed ½ of a protective clearance during the acceleration of the rotor under the control of the open loop feed forward control module, indicating that the open loop feed forward control module is able to inhibit the co-frequency vibration of the rotor, so as to allow the rotational speed of the rotor to exceed its rigid critical rotational speed; and performing a rotor dynamic balancing operation at a high speed by an influence coefficient method. This method directly performs the rotor dynamic balancing operation with respect to the rotor at a high-speed, which facilitates the rotor dynamic balancing operation so as to perform the rotor dynamic balancing operation more quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: KYKY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Han Wu, Qizhi Li, Xiaozhang Zhang, Meng Zou
  • Patent number: 9415507
    Abstract: A motion base comprises lower and upper plates, a plurality of lateral stabilizers coupled in-between and connected to the lower and upper plates, a plurality of actuators, and one or more associated active controllers. Actuators typically comprise a body operatively connected to the upper plate and the lower plate, a rod movably disposed at least partially within the body, where the rod and body define an actuator effective length; and a controllable rod extender configured to selectively extend the rod out from and retract the rod into the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel T Foster, Eric A King, Stephen F Fromyer, Stephen Sywak
  • Patent number: 9390491
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for a quality control and/or inspection procedure for assembly line processes. The disclosed system and method enable automatic optical inspection of a device during different stages of manufacture as well as in its finished form. The disclosed system and method enable the automatic quality control process to be self-learning, dynamic, and to identify and classify defects in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kewei Zuo, Chien Rhone Wang, Tzu-Cheng Lin, Chih-Wei Lai
  • Patent number: 9344332
    Abstract: A method is provided for assisting in the installation of a home automation system, including a plurality of communicating packages suitable for exchanging information with one another via a local home automation network, at least one of the communicating packages being a driver package suitable for exchanging information with a central platform of the Internet network via a wireless packet-telephony connection. The method includes a step of connection (120) of a portable installation driver package and automatic searching (130) in situ for the best mobile operator to set up the wireless connection from the installation driver package from a predefined list of possible mobile operators The method includes automatic pairing (160) of each communicating package with a driver package and different steps (142-145, 150, 171, 172) for testing the operation of each communicating package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: VOLTALIS
    Inventors: Bruno Heintz, Jean-Marc Oury, Hugues Lefebvre De Saint Germain, Pierre Bivas, Mathieu Bineau
  • Patent number: 9331350
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for determining whether a rotor shaft of a compressor is unbalanced. The compressor includes a displacement sensor that measures the displacement of the rotor shaft as it is rotating. The sensor dynamic frequency signal is sent to a bandpass filter that filters out an eigen-frequency frequency that is a function of shaft elasticity and rotor dynamics. The filtered frequency signal is then rectified by a rectifier to make the filtered frequency signal positive. The rectified signal is then passed through a low pass filter that converts the rectified signal to a DC signal. The DC signal is then sent to a controller that determines if the amplitude of the signal is above a predetermined threshold, which indicates a problem with the balance of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Maier, Bernd Peter Elgas, Ulrich Dumke, Peter Willimowski
  • Patent number: 9207655
    Abstract: In a method for stabilization of an object using an electronic stabilizer device, which includes an electric gyroscope, a driver device and a counterweight device. The method measures orientation data of the object using the electric gyroscope, analyzes the orientation data of the object to obtain a current obliquity of the object, and generates a first control signal to drive the driver device according to the current obliquity when the current obliquity is equal to a reference angle. The method controls the counterweight device to change a center of gravity of the object through the driver device, and measures an adjusted obliquity of the object using the electric gyroscope. The method generates a second control signal to drive the driver device when the adjusted obliquity changes, and controls the counterweight device to dynamically adjust the center of gravity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: Patentcloud Corporation, Patentcloud Co. Limited
    Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
  • Patent number: 9140622
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration prediction module and a firing sequence module. The vibration prediction module predicts a vibration response of a vehicle based on a firing sequence of an engine when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated. The firing sequence module adjusts the firing sequence of the engine based on the predicted vibration response of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Randall S. Beikmann
  • Patent number: 9068797
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic real-time boresighting system and method. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a mapping function by associating deflection and rotation data of strategically located at least two sensors with sensor deflection data, real-time or static sensor readings from at least two sensors which are strategically located on the component in the aircraft or the land vehicle, while the aircraft or the land vehicle is moving or static respectively and determining an alignment of the component by comparing the real-time or static sensor readings obtained from the strategically located at least two sensors with the obtained mapping function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Hale
  • Patent number: 9053390
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining inspection scenarios without input from a user are presented. Inspection scenarios include at least one acquisition mode, defect detection parameter values, and classification parameter values. In one example, a number of defect events are determined by a hot inspection of a wafer surface. The defect events are classified and attributes associated with each defect event are identified. The defect events are labeled with this information. Based on the identified attributes and classification, inspection scenarios are determined. The inspection scenarios are solutions in a mathematical space formed by the identified attributes. In some examples, a plurality of inspection scenarios are determined and a desired inspection scenario is selected from the plurality based on the number of defects of interest and the number of nuisance events captured by the selected inspection scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Mohan Mahadevan, Govind Thattaisundaram, Ajay Gupta, Chien-Huei (Adam) Chen, Jason Kirkwood, Ashok Kulkarni, Songnian Rong, Ernesto Escorcia, Eugene Shifrin
  • Patent number: 9039786
    Abstract: A control method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The control method of a laundry machine comprising a balancer includes an unbalance sensing step, wherein the unbalance sensing step recognizes an unbalancemaximum value and an unbalanceminimum value of an unbalance wave and the unbalance sensing step determines an average value of the two unbalance maximumvalue and unbalanceminimum value to be of the unbalance generated in a drum provided in the laundry machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Jang, Bon Kwon Koo
  • Publication number: 20150134125
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and preventing a cabinet strike event in a washing machine appliance are provided. An exemplary method includes ramping a target speed of a motor from a first speed to a second speed over a ramping period. The method includes computing an average deviation of an observed speed of the motor from the target speed over the ramping period. The method includes computing an average power consumption by the motor over the ramping period. The method includes determining whether both the average deviation is greater than a first threshold value and the average power consumption is greater than a second threshold value. The method includes rebalancing the load if both the average deviation is greater than a first threshold value and the average power consumption is greater than a second threshold value. The method includes performing one or more standard operations if both conditions are not satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Dedow, Christopher Nils Naber, Richard Dean Suel, II
  • Patent number: 8959740
    Abstract: Systems which may be employed to adjust the shape of a computer housing are provided. The systems may include a measurement apparatus that measures the positions of points on the housing. A determining apparatus may determine an offset between the position of the points and reference values. An adjustment apparatus may apply force to the computer housing with actuators based on the offset at each of the points. This process may be repeated or otherwise continued until the offset is within a predetermined range of acceptable values. Related methods, assemblies, and a non-transitory computer readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Shravan Bharadwaj, Derrick Tek-Kien Jue
  • Patent number: 8951211
    Abstract: Parameters related to use of a prosthesis by a patient with a limb amputation are monitored using a tool that includes one or more piezoelectric force sensors. The resulting data are processed for use both in short and long term management of amputee patients. The sensor is a small modular unit that fits within or between traditional prosthetic components, e.g., below a prosthesis socket. The data produced by the tool are collected, processed, and stored. Optionally, the data are periodically communicated to a remote site via a network, e.g., over the Internet. The device and associated software used to process the data can be used to characterize activities conducted by a prosthesis user, to determine pistoning or threatening interface stress distributions between the limb and socket, mal-alignment of the socket, use of improper components, and other possibly undesired conditions that the amputee patient using the prosthesis may be experiencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Joan Sanders, Timothy Myers, Brian Hafner
  • Patent number: 8933306
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety OW1012750 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety OW1012750 and its progeny, and methods of making OW1012750.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Kurt Milan Lindenbaum
  • Patent number: 8930031
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a drum supported at least two spaced apart support locations for rotation about a rotation axis. A balance correction system is able to apply a variable amount of a balance correction mass at a selectable angular location of the drum at least two spaced apart locations along the drum rotation axis. A controller receives outputs of a set of sensors, and is programmed to continuously calculate balance corrections to apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Richard Wong, Gregory Raymond Collecutt, David Charles Rhodes, Kane Samuel Alward
  • Publication number: 20140379142
    Abstract: A method operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a ball balance ring mounted to the rotatable drum and defining an internal raceway in which a plurality of balls are located, where the method includes rotating the drum at or above a satellizing speed, determining positions of the plurality of balls, and accelerating the rotational speed of the drum based on the determined positions of the plurality of balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, CHRISTOPHER H. MATULIS
  • Publication number: 20140358298
    Abstract: In embodiments, one or more targets, each comprising one or more dots, may be permanently or removably affixed to one or more components of a mechanical system such as a bicycle. A computing device may capture a two-dimensional image of the one or more targets. The two-dimensional image may be processed and the location of the targets in three-dimensional space may be determined based at least in part on the processing. Based at least in part on the location of the targets in three-dimensional space, one or more adjustments to one or more of the components of the mechanical system may be identified, and instructions related to those adjustments may be provided to the user. In embodiments, the computing device may be a smartphone. In embodiments, the one or more components may be one or more of a bicycle frame, derailleur, and/or cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: DWFritz Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan S. Hall, Joshua Victor Aller
  • Publication number: 20140277771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for showing an image, and more particularly, to a system for showing an image having a game function of performing an interactive game for viewers in a theater. To this end, the present invention provides a system for showing an image, including: a plurality of motion chair assemblies including a predetermined number of motion chairs; a center server configured to control the motion chair assembly; and a screen configured to display an image output from the center server, in which a signal generated in the motion chair assembly is transmitted to the center server according to an image displayed on the screen, and when the generated signal does not accord with a preset condition, the center server operates the motion chair assembly, and when the generated signal accords with the preset condition, the center server does not operate the motion chair assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Sang Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8826548
    Abstract: A hand-held jigsaw includes a saw blade and control element for automating a tracking the saw blade, the hand-held jigsaw, or both along layout lines. A sensor, preferably a camera unit, detects a layout line provided on a work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kaiser, Klaus Marx, Stefano Delfini, Wolfgang Niehsen, Thilo Koeder, Gunter Flinspach, Joachim Frangen, Joachim Platzer
  • Patent number: 8805589
    Abstract: An outdoor air temperature information acquisition section acquires the outdoor air temperature, a room temperature information acquisition section that acquires room temperature, an air conditioner state information acquisition section that acquires information on the state of heat exchange type air conditioners and the outdoor air cooler, an estimated value calculating section for room temperature during outdoor air cooling calculating the estimated value for room temperature after switching to the complete outdoor air cooling mode that stops the heat exchange type air conditioner and carries out room temperature control by only increasing or decreasing the effect of the outdoor air cooler from the cooling mode mainly using the heat exchange type air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Tanaka, Ryouta Dazai
  • Patent number: 8700218
    Abstract: A manipulator for translating a load along an axis of translation is provided. The manipulator comprises an outer column and a telescoping column positioned adjacent the outer column. The telescoping column is attached to the load and configured to translate the load along the axis of translation. At least one guiding member is mounted between the outer column and the telescoping column, wherein the guiding member is configured to guide the telescoping column as the telescoping column translates along the axis of translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: InTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Crowell, Charles Nappen, Nathan Smith
  • Patent number: 8700191
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the controlled application of forces to a structure during leveling and securing procedures. According to embodiments described herein, a force distribution system includes a number of force application devices that are communicatively linked to a computing system. The computing system controls the force application devices to apply calculated forces to the structure, monitor the forces, and adjust the forces when deviations occur. According to one embodiment, the force application devices include jack assemblies and the system is operative to level a structure and maintain the level position when the structure shifts. According to another embodiment, the force application devices include clamp assemblies and the system is operative to apply and maintain a constant and uniform pressure on a structure to secure the structure during machining. Other embodiments include using force application devices to secure a structure during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bobby Joe Marsh, Kinson D. VanScotter
  • Patent number: 8665104
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting rotating machines are provided. Measurements data collected by a plurality of sensors may be received by a controller that includes one or more computers. The plurality of sensors may be configured to monitor vibrations associated with the rotating machine. Based at least in part upon the measurements data, the controller may determine that a respective amplitude change for at least two of the plurality of sensors exceeds a threshold condition. The controller may also determine that the threshold condition is exceeded for a predetermined period of time. Based at least in part upon determining that the threshold condition is exceeded for a predetermined period of time, the controller may identify an alarm event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanjeev Shyam Heda, Scott Alan Wood, Robert Joseph Iasillo
  • Patent number: 8612063
    Abstract: An environmental control systems (ECS) for an aircraft in which bleed air is cooled with ram air, the ECS may include a ram air controller configured to control a rate of ram air flow responsively to a desired temperature of bleed air at a bleed air outlet and a bleed air controller configured to control a rate of bleed air flow responsively to a temperature lower than the desired temperature of the bleed air at the bleed air outlet. Collectively the two controllers may provide a minimizing of ram air usage for cooling the bleed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Chor Ying Lau, Xiaomei Li
  • Patent number: 8612056
    Abstract: Method of configuring a home automation installation comprising a plurality of mobile screens driven by actuators identified by an identifier, the method comprising the following steps: a) a step of constructing a first list of identifiers of actuators of the installation, b) a step of locating all the locations of the screens that make up the part of the installation to be configured, c) a step of associating a list of possible actuator identifiers with each screen location, d) a step of transmitting a movement control command to each actuator of a group of actuators, e) a step of designating locations that correspond to a group of screens that have reacted to the control command, f) a step of updating the lists of possible actuator identifiers for each location, the steps d) to f) being reiterated as long as at least one list of possible actuator identifiers for a screen location comprises more than one actuator identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Mattias Klasson, Samuel Spanberger, Tommy Carlsson, Christian Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8583328
    Abstract: [TASK] The wheel alignment of rear wheels can be properly set without using an alignment tester if the rear wheels are equipped with a rear wheel toe angle control device. [SOLUTION] In a calibration drive control, an ECU (12) actuates electric actuators (11) until the front wheel steering angle (?f) becomes zero or the rear wheel toe angles (?r) are symmetric to each other (steps S3 and D4) to thereby achieve a symmetric toe angle position (Ssym) (step S5). Then, the ECU (12) actuates the electric actuators (11) from the symmetric toe angle position (Ssym) by a same amount so as to cause the rear wheel toe angles to be a neutral value, and a reference position (S0) to be substantially equal to a standard operational position (Sstd) or an axial force (AF) to be substantially equal to a standard axial force (AFstd) (step S7). At this time, the operational position detected value (Sdtc) may be reset as the reference position (S0) (step S10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Mori, Yutaka Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 8561463
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the automatic detection and identification of errors in a balancing machine during operation, in which a rotor provided with an unbalance is rotatably mounted in a vibratory bearing in the balancing machine and is set in rotation by a drive, the rotational frequency of the rotating rotor and the vibrations stimulated by the rotor are measured and measurement signals which comprise the measured values of the rotational frequency and the vibrations are generated and delivered to an evaluation computer. The evaluation calculation is based on mathematical models of the dynamic properties of the balancing machine which describe stimulations of the machine structure due to the unbalance, in particular in the balancing planes, and/or due to the rotor geometry and/or due to the bearing and/or possible damage to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Baehr, Rolf Isermann, Dieter Thelen, Wolfgang Scheithe