FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL

Classification Context

Section:: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:: FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL

Description

F15 encompasses fluid-pressure actuators and general hydraulic and pneumatic systems that convert fluid pressure into mechanical motion or force. This class covers pumps, motors, cylinders, accumulators, valves, and control systems used in hydraulic and pneumatic applications across various industries including manufacturing, construction, and automation. Related technologies include pressure regulation, flow control, energy storage, and fluid transmission through pipes and hoses. Adjacent classes F16 (engineering elements and general mechanical engineering) and specific application classes handle specialized mechanical components and domain-specific implementations.

Filing statistics

IPC F15 recorded 126,731 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 3 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 8,593 in 2013 to 12,541 in 2023 (+46%), peaking at 14,132 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F15 are ROBERT BOSCH (1,079 applications), SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY (980 applications) and SMC CORPORATION (737 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

HYDRAULIC(S) in generalPNEUMATIC(S)

3 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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F15B SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
F15C FLUID-CIRCUIT ELEMENTS PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR COMPUTING OR CONTROL PURPOSES
F15D FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

ROBERT BOSCH DE 1,079
SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY DE 980
SMC CORPORATION JP 737
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY COMPANY JP 674
KYB CORPORATION JP 525
CATERPILLAR US 461
FESTO & COMPANY DE 451
ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 448
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY COMPANY 442
XUZHOU HEAVY MACHINERY COMPANY 404