Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110297248 | FAUCET MANIFOLD - A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes and nipples overmolded within a collar. | 12-08-2011 |
20120018009 | WATERWAY ADAPTER - A fluid delivery device includes a waterway assembly, a valve assembly, and a waterway adapter that fluidly couples the waterway assembly to the valve assembly. An illustrative waterway adapter may be constructed of a polymeric material. | 01-26-2012 |
20120018020 | WATERWAY FOR A SINGLE SUPPLY FAUCET - A fluid delivery device includes a waterway assembly, a valve assembly, and a waterway adapter to fluidly couple the waterway assembly to the valve assembly. The exemplary embodiment of the waterway assembly includes at least one inlet supply tube and at least one outlet supply tube generally disposed opposite to the at least one inlet supply tube. The waterway adapter and at least one inlet supply tube are supported by at least one coupler. | 01-26-2012 |
20130186482 | WATERWAY ADAPTER - A fluid delivery device includes a waterway assembly, a valve assembly, and a waterway adapter that fluidly couples the waterway assembly to the valve assembly. An illustrative waterway adapter may be constructed of a polymeric material. | 07-25-2013 |
20140261750 | CAPACITIVE SENSING FAUCET INCLUDING A CONDUCTIVE POLYMER - A capacitive sensing faucet is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a a faucet body hub; a spout coupled to the faucet body hub; an insulator defining a capacitive coupling between the faucet body hub and the spout, wherein the insulator is formed from an electrically conductive polymer; a capacitive sensor having an electrode coupled to the faucet body hub; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller determining if the spout is touched by a user based on an output signal from the capacitive sensor. | 09-18-2014 |
20160090719 | HOSE WEIGHT FOR A FAUCET - A hose weight for use with a faucet outlet hose fluidly coupled to a dispensing unit. The hose weight includes an outer housing defining a chamber and a filler received within the chamber. | 03-31-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100170588 | MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR SPRAYHEADS - A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. | 07-08-2010 |
20100237166 | Magnetic Coupling for Sprayheads - A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. | 09-23-2010 |
20100313979 | Faucet Including a Molded Waterway Assembly - A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes overmolded within a valve interface member. | 12-16-2010 |
20110100478 | MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR FAUCET HANDLE - A fluid delivery device including a body having at least one waterway, a valve assembly in fluid communication with the at least one waterway, the valve assembly including a movable valve member configured to control the flow of water through the at least one waterway and a stem operably coupled to the moveable valve member for movement therewith, and a handle coupled to the stem for movement therewith. A magnetically attractive element is supported by one of the handle and the stem, and at least one magnet is supported by the other of the handle and the stem that is configured to magnetically attract the magnetically attractive element to couple the handle to the stem. | 05-05-2011 |
20110162743 | MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR SPRAYHEADS - A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. | 07-07-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130146164 | FAUCET INCLUDING A MOLDED WATERWAY ASSEMBLY - A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes overmolded within a valve interface member. | 06-13-2013 |
20140020767 | MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR SPRAYHEADS - A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. | 01-23-2014 |
20140090718 | MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR FAUCET HANDLE - A fluid delivery device including a body having at least one waterway, a valve assembly in fluid communication with the at least one waterway, the valve assembly including a movable valve member configured to control the flow of water through the at least one waterway and a stem operably coupled to the moveable valve member for movement therewith, and a handle coupled to the stem for movement therewith. A magnetically attractive element is supported by one of the handle and the stem, and at least one magnet is supported by the other of the handle and the stem that is configured to magnetically attract the magnetically attractive element to couple the handle to the stem. | 04-03-2014 |
20140097615 | FITTING CONNECTION INCLUDING COMPRESSION NUT WITH RETAINER - A compression nut including a retaining tooth for use with a fluid coupling. | 04-10-2014 |
20140102555 | MAGNETIC ESCUTCHEON MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - An escutcheon mounting assembly including an escutcheon coupled to a base and including an opening for receiving a valve user interface. A magnetically attractive element is supported by one of the base and the escutcheon, and at least one magnet is affixed to the other of the base and the escutcheon and is configured to magnetically couple the escutcheon to the base. | 04-17-2014 |
20140231450 | ELECTRONIC SOAP DISPENSER - An electronic soap dispenser includes an upper dispensing head supported above a sink deck, and a liquid soap reservoir and a pump assembly supported below the sink deck. A capacitive sensor is operably coupled to the dispensing head. A controller is in electrical communication with the capacitive sensor and activates the pump assembly in response to input from the capacitive sensor. | 08-21-2014 |
20150192214 | FAUCET INCLUDING A MOLDED WATERWAY ASSEMBLY - A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes overmolded within a valve interface member. | 07-09-2015 |
20160025246 | SPRAYER HOSE ASSEMBLY - A sprayer hose assembly including an inner tube, an outer sheath, and an energy conducting conduit extending along the outer sheath. | 01-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090277173 | Waste heat recovery system with constant power output - A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine. | 11-12-2009 |
20090277430 | Open loop Brayton cycle for EGR cooling - A system for reducing the temperature of waste heat from a waste heat source of a vehicle engine, including an open loop Brayton cycle having a cooler, a compressor, a turbine, and a shaft coupling the compressor to the turbine. Waste heat and compressed air from the compressor flow through the cooler, thereby transferring heat from the waste heat to the compressed air and lowering the temperature of the waste heat. The heated and compressed air is expanded across the turbine, to cause rotation of the shaft, thereby powering rotation of the compressor. Excess power beyond that necessary to drive the compressor may be drawn off through a generator which has its rotor mounted on the same shaft as the compressor and turbine. | 11-12-2009 |
20110048012 | ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD USING AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE WITH CONDENSER PRESSURE REGULATION - An energy recovery system and method using an organic rankine cycle is provided for recovering waste heat from an internal combustion engine, which effectively controls condenser pressure to prevent unwanted cavitation within the fluid circulation pump. A coolant system may be provided with a bypass conduit around the condenser and a bypass valve selectively and variably controlling the flow of coolant to the condenser and the bypass. A subcooler may be provided integral with the receiver for immersion in the accumulated fluid or downstream of the receiver to effectively subcool the fluid near the inlet to the fluid pump. | 03-03-2011 |
20110072816 | WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM WITH CONSTANT POWER OUTPUT - A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine. | 03-31-2011 |
20120023946 | EMISSIONS-CRITICAL CHARGE COOLING USING AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE - The disclosure provides a system including a Rankine power cycle cooling subsystem providing emissions-critical charge cooling of an input charge flow, which includes at least one of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) source and a charge air source, upstream of an intake internal combustion engine. The system includes a boiler fluidly coupled to the input charge flow and adapted to transfer heat from the input charge to a working fluid of the Rankine power cycle subsystem and vaporize the working fluid, an energy conversion device fluidly coupled to the boiler and adapted to receive vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat, a condenser fluidly coupled to the energy conversion device and adapted to receive the working fluid from which the energy was converted, a pump having an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of the condenser and an outlet fluidly coupled to an inlet of the boiler, said pump adapted to move fluid from the condenser to the boiler, an adjuster that adjusts at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle subsystem to change a temperature of the input charge exiting the boiler, and a sensor adapted to sense a temperature characteristic of the vaporized input charge. The system includes a controller that can determine a target temperature of the input charge sufficient to meet or exceed predetermined target emissions and cause the adjuster to adjust at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle to achieve the predetermined target emissions. | 02-02-2012 |
20120036850 | WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR RECAPTURING ENERGY AFTER ENGINE AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS - The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system. | 02-16-2012 |
20120042650 | RANKINE CYCLE CONDENSER PRESSURE CONTROL USING AN ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE BYPASS VALVE - The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system and method in which pressure in a Rankine cycle (RC) system of the WHR system is regulated by diverting working fluid from entering an inlet of an energy conversion device of the RC system. In the system, an inlet of a controllable bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a working fluid path upstream of an energy conversion device of the RC system, and an outlet of the bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the working fluid path upstream of the condenser of the RC system such that working fluid passing through the bypass valve bypasses the energy conversion device and increases the pressure in a condenser. A controller determines the temperature and pressure of the working fluid and controls the bypass valve to regulate pressure in the condenser. | 02-23-2012 |
20120198839 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system associated with an internal combustion engine is in a configuration that enables handling of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas by using the energy recovered from a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. The system includes a control module for regulating various function of the internal combustion engine and its associated systems along with the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. | 08-09-2012 |
20120210713 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and to a system and method for regulation of a fluid inventory in a condenser and a receiver of a Rankine cycle WHR system. Such regulation includes the ability to regulate the pressure in a WHR system to control cavitation and energy conversion. | 08-23-2012 |
20120216762 | RANKINE CYCLE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system uses a receiver with a maximum liquid working fluid level lower than the minimum liquid working fluid level of a sub-cooler of the waste heat recovery system. The receiver may have a position that is physically lower than the sub-cooler's position. A valve controls transfer of fluid between several of the components in the waste heat recovery system, especially from the receiver to the sub-cooler. The system may also have an associated control module. | 08-30-2012 |
20130019847 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH IMPROVED EGR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - A waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling is described. More particularly, a Rankine cycle WHR system and method is described, including an arrangement to improve the precision of EGR cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management. | 01-24-2013 |
20130139506 | WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM WITH CONSTANT POWER OUTPUT - A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine. | 06-06-2013 |
20140007575 | SPLIT RADIATOR DESIGN FOR HEAT REJECTION OPTIMIZATION FOR A WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A cooling system provides improved heat recovery by providing a split core radiator for both engine cooling and condenser cooling for a Rankine cycle (RC). The cooling system includes a radiator having a first cooling core portion and a second cooling core portion positioned in a downstream direction of forced cooling air from the first cooling core portion, and an engine cooling loop including an engine coolant return line fluidly connected to an inlet of the second cooling core portion, and an engine coolant feed line connected to an outlet of the second cooling core portion. A condenser of an RC has a cooling loop including a condenser coolant return line fluidly connected to an inlet of the first cooling core portion and a condenser coolant feed line fluidly connected an outlet of the first cooling core portion. A valve is provided between the engine cooling loop and the condenser cooling loop adjustably control the flow of coolant in the condenser cooling loop into the engine cooling loop. The cooling system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve and adapted to determine a load requirement for the internal combustion engine and adjust the valve in accordance with the engine load requirement. | 01-09-2014 |
20140137554 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation. | 05-22-2014 |
20140318124 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and to a system and method for regulation of a fluid inventory in a condenser and a receiver of a Rankine cycle WHR system. Such regulation includes the ability to regulate the pressure in a WHR system to control cavitation and energy conversion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140345275 | RANKINE CYCLE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system uses a receiver with a maximum liquid working fluid level lower than the minimum liquid working fluid level of a sub-cooler of the waste heat recovery system. The receiver may have a position that is physically lower than the sub-cooler's position. A valve controls transfer of fluid between several of the components in the waste heat recovery system, especially from the receiver to the sub-cooler. The system may also have an associated control module. | 11-27-2014 |
20150096543 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH IMPROVED EGR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - A waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling is described. More particularly, a Rankine cycle WHR system and method is described, including an arrangement to improve the precision of EGR cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management. | 04-09-2015 |
20150226091 | RANKINE CYCLE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system associated with an internal combustion engine is in a configuration that enables handling of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas by using the energy recovered from a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. The system includes a control module for regulating various function of the internal combustion engine and its associated systems along with the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. | 08-13-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130211101 | Crystalline Glycopyrrolate Tosylate - Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms thereof are herein disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate are disclosed. | 08-15-2013 |
20140242122 | Crystalline Glycopyrrolate Tosylate - Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms thereof are herein disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate are disclosed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243535 | CRYSTALLINE GLYCOPYRROLATE TOSYLATE - Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms thereof are herein disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate are disclosed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140371290 | Glycopyrrolate Salts - Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms and formulations such as topicals thereof, are disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts, including formulations such as topicals thereof, and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate, and formulations such as topicals thereof, are disclosed. | 12-18-2014 |
20150196532 | Glycopyrrolate Salts - Salts of glycopyrrolate, including solid forms and formulations such as topicals thereof, are disclosed. Methods of making glycopyrrolate salts, including formulations such as topicals thereof, and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with salts of glycopyrrolate, and formulations such as topicals thereof, are disclosed. | 07-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100140075 | METHOD FOR PURIFYING ACETONE - A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using two columns is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of feeding the crude acetone raw material into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative agent into the first column to form high molecular weight impurities; removing a top fraction from the first column by distillation to form bottom fraction comprising an acetone mixture comprising high molecular weight impurities; feeding the bottom fraction comprising the acetone mixture obtained to a second rectification column at a charge point on the column; adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction fed; and separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145103 | METHOD FOR PURIFYING ACETONE - A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using three columns in sequence is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of feeding the crude acetone raw material into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative reagent into the first column; feeding the first bottom fraction to a second rectification column; optionally adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction; separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, thereby forming a second bottom fraction comprising an acetone mixture comprising high molecular weight impurities; feeding the second bottom fraction comprising the acetone mixture to a third rectification column; removing a top fraction from the third column; and returning the top fraction removed from the third column to the first column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure, and wherein the purified acetone has an acetaldehyde level of less than 5 ppm and a KT-Test time of greater than 11 hours, as measured by the SABIC KT-Test method. | 06-10-2010 |
20130061657 | FLOW CELL FOR MEASURING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ABSORPTION SPECTRA IN A CONTINUOUSLY FLOWING IMMISCIBLE LIQUID(S) OR LIQUIDS WITH ENTRAINED GAS PHASES - An apparatus and method for spectral analysis of immiscible phases are disclosed. A flow cell for online absorption measurements of immiscible process phases can comprise: a body containing an inlet window and an outlet window in operable communication with a measurement instrument; and a series of partitions that divide the inside of the flow cell into three (3) or more vessels that have an inlet and an outlet, wherein the vessels are connected in series with one another. Optionally, the first vessel is equipped with a porous membrane to facilitate the separation of immiscible process phases. | 03-14-2013 |
20130319846 | METHOD FOR PURIFYING ACETONE - A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using two columns is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of feeding the crude acetone raw material into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative agent into the first column to form high molecular weight impurities; removing a top fraction from the first column by distillation to form bottom fraction comprising an acetone mixture comprising high molecular weight impurities; feeding the bottom fraction comprising the acetone mixture obtained to a second rectification column at a charge point on the column; adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction fed; and separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure. | 12-05-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120204542 | MULTI-LEG EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An exhaust aftertreatment system for treating exhaust flow from an internal combustion engine, and associated method, allows for independent control of exhaust flow through plural exhaust legs of the exhaust aftertreatment system. The independent control of exhaust flow is carried out by adjusting a valve positioned in each the exhaust legs based on a value of a signal generated by a flow measurement device positioned along at least one of the exhaust legs. The valves can be adjusted to force a target flow in a exhaust leg, relative flow among exhaust legs, exhaust temperature in an exhaust leg, exhaust backpressure and/or imbalance within the exhaust legs. | 08-16-2012 |
20120210697 | MULTI-LEG EXHAUST AFTER-TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - This disclosure provides an exhaust flow detection and variable dosing system and method for treating exhaust flow from an engine. The system includes first and second exhaust flow legs, a cross passage connecting these legs upstream of SCRs and a sensor positioned along the cross passage to detect at least one of differential pressure between the exhaust flow legs, and exhaust flow in the cross passage. A dosing circuit connects a dosing treatment supply to each of the exhaust flow legs at or upstream of the SCRs, and at least one dosing device positioned along the dosing circuit to control the amount of the dosing agent delivered to each exhaust leg. An electronic control unit controls the amount of a dosing agent delivered to the exhaust flow legs independently based on exhaust flows determined for each leg using at least one of the differential pressure and cross passage exhaust flow. | 08-23-2012 |
20150369108 | MULTI-LEG EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An exhaust aftertreatment system for treating exhaust flow from an internal combustion engine, and associated method, allows for independent control of exhaust flow through plural exhaust legs of the exhaust aftertreatment system. The independent control of exhaust flow is carried out by adjusting a valve positioned in each the exhaust legs based on a value of a signal generated by a flow measurement device positioned along at least one of the exhaust legs. The valves can be adjusted to force a target flow in a exhaust leg, relative flow among exhaust legs, exhaust temperature in an exhaust leg, exhaust backpressure and/or imbalance within the exhaust legs. | 12-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100107329 | PATIENT LIFTER - A device and associated method transfer a person having a handicap from one location to another, such as into or out of a wheelchair, bed, or bathtub. A wheeled base provides mobility to the device. A post and lifter arm support the patient during the transfer. The post is connected to a stabilization arm, which temporarily connects using a stabilization interface to a stabilization bracket. The stabilization bracket is typically attached rather permanently to a wall, ceiling, or other structural feature that provides substantial stability to the system. In various embodiments, the lifter arm may be actuated by hydraulics, the stabilization arm may be extendable, and a pair of extra wheels on the mobility base are adjustable horizontally (e.g., along one hedge of the base frame) or vertically (down to decrease the load on the casters, or up to allow the lifter to be “crabbed” sideways in confined spaces). | 05-06-2010 |
20110083915 | ADJUSTABLE MID-WHEEL POWER WHEELCHAIR DRIVE SYSTEM - Wheelchairs in various embodiments include a variable-position drive system that can automatically move the drive wheels fore and aft through an approximately 41 cm range. Such a system provides all the benefits of front-, mid-, and rear-wheel drive configurations in a single wheelchair, for example, to adjust the drive wheels toward the rear for stability and speed outdoors and toward the center for maneuverability indoors. The performance-optimal placement of drive wheels often depends on the physical environment (e.g., terrain), on the combined center of mass of the wheelchair and user, and on the user's cognitive functioning, trunk stability, and driving skills. One disclosed embodiment includes a pair of mid-position drive wheels that can automatically be repositioned forward or backward to accommodate changes in terrain and center of mass, which will improve the power wheelchair's stability and maneuverability and, consequently, safety and ease of use in a wider range of scenarios. | 04-14-2011 |
20120280464 | ADJUSTABLE LOAD-BEARING WHEELS AND KITS FOR PATIENT LIFTERS - Embodiments of the present disclosure include adjustable wheel assemblies for patient lifts. Actuation of a wheel assembly results in the wheel exerting an increased force on the surface supporting the patient lift, which may decrease the pressure of the remaining patient lift wheels on the support surface. Alternate embodiments include one or more adjustable wheel assemblies in a kit for attachment to a patient lift. A user input component may also be included to provide a single device a user can use to simultaneously actuate the wheel assemblies. Alternate embodiments utilize wedges, hinges, cams, and/or threaded members to increase the force exerted by the wheel on the support surface. | 11-08-2012 |