Patents Examined by Brian W Jennison
  • Patent number: 11707152
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a float valve motion detection device, a pot cover assembly and a pressure cooking appliance, the float valve motion detection device comprising: a float valve, a hollow inductance coil and a detection circuit. A valve core of the float valve is made of materials having permeability unequal to that of air. When the valve core is pushed by the pressure in a pot from a first position to a second position, the volume of the valve core in the hollow inductance coil changes, which changes the inductance of the hollow inductance coil. A detection circuit determines the position of the valve core by means of detecting the change in the inductance of the hollow inductance coil so as to determine whether it is safe to uncover at the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Feng Peng, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11700969
    Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage has an outside housing (30) having one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The machine includes a user-interface device (31) movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to a face (30a) of such one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c) so that the device (31) is accessible by a user; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing (30). The user-interface device (31) is movable from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction (31?) and a second direction (31?) that is non-parallel to the first direction (31?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Da Mi Byun, Bertrand Guyon, Marco Magatti, Eric Meyer, Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 11701730
    Abstract: A metal-cored electrode for welding to form a weld bead on a ferrous material, which weld bead includes at least 35 wt. % nickel. The metal-cored electrode includes a metal sheath surrounding a core. The core includes greater than 35 wt. % nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: POSTLE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Keegan, Christopher Postle
  • Patent number: 11701732
    Abstract: A welding gun for welding a welding stud to a substrate in a welding direction is provided, comprising a holding device for holding the welding stud during a welding operation, wherein the welding stud has a contact surface which is intended to contact the substrate before and/or during the welding operation, further comprising a stud lifting device for conveying the holding device against the welding direction to an immersing start position, further comprising a stud immersing device for conveying the holding device from the immersing start position in the welding direction, further comprising a bearing element having a bearing surface for supporting the welding gun on the substrate, and further comprising a device for automatically adapting the immersing start position relative to the bearing surface in the welding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Uwe Popp, Klaus Bertsch
  • Patent number: 11697171
    Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source configured to provide pulsed electropositive direct current (DCEP), a gas supply system configured to provide a shielding gas flow that is at least 90% argon (Ar), a welding wire feeder configured to provide tubular welding wire. The DCEP, the tubular welding wire, and the shielding gas flow are combined to form a weld deposit on a zinc-coated workpiece, wherein less than approximately 10 wt % of the tubular welding wire is converted to spatter while forming the weld deposit on the zinc-coated workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HOBART BROTHERS LLC
    Inventors: Steven Edward Barhorst, Joseph C. Bundy, Mario Anthony Amata, Tre' Dorell Heflin-King
  • Patent number: 11691216
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a plurality of dopant particles within a predetermined region of a transparent material. The method also includes focusing a laser beam along an optical axis to a focal region that overlaps with at least a portion of the predetermined region. The focal region can irradiate at least a first dopant particle of the plurality of dopant particles. The method further includes adjusting a parameter of the laser beam to generate a plasma configured to form an inclusion within the transparent material. The method additionally includes scanning the focal region along a path within the transparent material to elongate the inclusion generally along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Avava, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ting, Charles Holland Dresser, Jayant Bhawalkar
  • Patent number: 11685000
    Abstract: A tool arrangement is provided for accommodating portions of an optical tool in a park position, having an optical tool and having a housing with an opening suitable for accommodating portions of the optical tool in a housing interior, with a housing discharge connected to the housing in a fluid-conducting manner, and with a sealing sleeve arranged at the opening of the housing, wherein the sealing sleeve has a fluid-carrying line for adapting a variable fill volume of the sealing sleeve. In addition, a method is provided for accommodating portions of an optical tool in a park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Richter, Sebastian Marx, Mike Hirschfeldt
  • Patent number: 11684991
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for repairing a defect in a nuclear reactor are provided. The apparatus includes a body for insertion in a tubular structure, the body includes: an end effector having a weld torch operable to deposit weld material by forming molten weld droplets and depositing the weld droplets the tubular structure. A drive unit includes a brace for selectively anchoring against said tubular structure; at least one linear actuator for moving the apparatus relative to the brace; and a rotational actuator coupled to rotate the weld torch. The method includes inserting a repair apparatus into tubular structure of the nuclear reactor; moving the repair apparatus to a defect location; depositing a protective weld layer over the defect by sequentially depositing weld droplets atop a weld pool on the tubular structure, wherein the protective weld layer bonds to the tubular structure surrounding the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANDU ENERGY INC.
    Inventor: Frederik Geert Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 11684992
    Abstract: Resistance spot rivet welding systems, subsystems, and methods of use thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: HOWMET AEROSPACE INC., CENTERLINE (WINDSOR) LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Peter Vanderzwet, Simon Maurice Britton, Larry Frank Koscielski, Eric Jean Michaud, David Mario Simone, Stuart Cameron Cosgrave, Kyle Alexander Wasyliniuk, Donald J. Spinella, Gino N. Iasella, Daniel Bergstrom, Robert B. Wilcox, Thomas R. Kingsbury, Graham Scott Musgrove
  • Patent number: 11684977
    Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of heating a material having a surface comprising exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation source emitting a first wavelength spectrum; receiving a second wavelength spectrum from the surface using a detector at a sampling frequency; wherein the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum have no greater than 10% of overlap, wherein the overlap is the integral of intensity with respect to wavelength. In an embodiment, the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum have no greater than 5% of overlap or no greater than 3% of overlap or no greater than 1% of overlap or no greater than 0.5% of overlap. In an embodiment, exposing the surface to the radiation source causes the material to sinter at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Utility Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson, Chris Matson
  • Patent number: 11685003
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for laser modification of a sample to form a modified region at a target location within the sample. The method comprises positioning a sample in a laser system for modification by a laser; measuring tilt of a surface of the sample through which the laser focusses; using at least the measured tilt to determine a correction to be applied to an active optical element of the laser system; applying the correction to the active optical element to modify wavefront properties of the laser to counteract an effect of coma on laser focus; and laser modifying the sample at the target location using the laser with the corrected wavefront properties to produce the modified region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin James Booth, Patrick Salter
  • Patent number: 11679453
    Abstract: The present invention provide a filler metal for TIG welding capable of stable welding, of which heat flux feeding area is wider than conventional wire filler metal and heat input per unit length is increased. The filler metal for TIG welding which is continuously supplied on a base metal to be melted by an arc after forming the arc between the base metal and an electrode over the base metal and supplying shield gas around the arc, wherein the cross-section of the filler metal has curved shape of which surface facing the electrode is concavely curved to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PUKYONG NATIONAL INDUSTRY-UNIVERSIT COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sang-Myung Cho, Dong-Soo Oh, Hyo-Sik Ham, Hyeon-Joo Ha, Hee-Seop Shin, Jae-Ho Jun, Jae-Gyu Byun, Jung-Hyun Park, Hyuk-Yong Kwon
  • Patent number: 11673201
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power includes receiving input power and pulse width modulating a first forward converter and a second forward converter so that they operate as a pulse width modulated double forward converter to provide a welding type output. A phase relationship between the first forward converter and a second forward converter is selected from at least two available phase relationships using a controller. The controller includes a pwm module, and the pwm module includes a phase relationship module. The at least two available phase relationships are at least two of variable phase shifting, fixed phase staggering and locked in phase. The selected phase relationship is maintained over a predetermined range of outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Vogel
  • Patent number: 11673205
    Abstract: A battery module includes cylindrical battery cells, a module housing, and a bus bar. The bus bar includes a main body portion that is positioned at a top or a bottom of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells and has a plate shape having upper and lower surfaces that are broader than a lateral surface of the main body portion in a horizontal direction; and a contact portion that is configured to electrically contact and be connected to an electrode terminal formed in one of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, extends and protrudes from the main body portion in a horizontal direction, is stepped from the main body portion in a direction toward where the electrode terminal is positioned, and includes a branched structure bifurcated in two directions with respect to a direction in which the contact portion extends and protrudes from the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Bae Lee, Kun-Joo Yang, Seog-Jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 11673204
    Abstract: A torch for performing TIG welding is disclosed. The torch includes an electrode for a TIG/GTAW welding operation with an inert gas and an active gas. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the torch includes a torch body having a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, an electrode assembly disposed in the torch body, a nozzle concentric with the electrode and a shield cap concentric with the nozzle. An angle between a longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly and an outer surface of at least one of the electrode holder and the electrode is about nine degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THE ESAB GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Schaffitz, Xavier Jauregui
  • Patent number: 11678410
    Abstract: Induction cooktops and operational methods are provided herein. A method of determining presence of compatible cookware on an induction cooktop can include receiving a request to heat the induction cooktop, controlling at least one switching device to induce a current within an assumed piece of cookware with an induction coil of the induction cooktop, sensing a voltage associated with the at least one switching device, the voltage being proportional to current flowing in the induction coil, determining that the sensed voltage includes one or more voltage spikes above a first threshold, and determining that the assumed piece of cookware is absent when the sensed voltage includes the one or more voltage spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac Nam
  • Patent number: 11666982
    Abstract: A method for providing a referenced distance signal which corresponds to the distance between a contact tip of a welding torch and a workpiece to be machined, includes adjusting an operating point on a predetermined welding characteristic, which is defined at least by a wire feed rate, a welding voltage and/or a welding current, and a CTWD distance between the contact tip and the workpiece; determining a target parameter value of at least one parameter dependent on the CTWD distance for the operating point; determining an actual parameter value of the at least one parameter by measuring at least one of the present wire feed rate, welding voltage and/or welding current; modifying the determined actual parameter value as a function of a calculated difference between the target parameter value and a predetermined reference value; and outputting the referenced distance signal corresponding to the modified actual parameter value to a position control system of a robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Söllinger, Andreas Hummelbrunner, Wilhelm Ortbauer
  • Patent number: 11667465
    Abstract: A single-serve capsule for making a beverage, having: a base element with a cavity, in which a raw beverage material is provided, the base element is made of a biodegradable material, a flange extending outwardly from the base element, the flange comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side, and a cover that is fastened to the top side of the flange to close the cavity, the cover is made of a same material as the base element. The single-serve capsule is free of a filter, and has an identifier, which makes it possible to individualize the respective single-serve capsule, the identifier is provided on the bottom side of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Krüger
  • Patent number: 11653785
    Abstract: A steam cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber, an evaporator unit configured to evaporate water to generate steam for supply into the cooking chamber, and a water supply unit including a removable water tank. The water tank includes a valve unit for coupling to the evaporator, with the valve unit including two valves formed separately from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Ludovic Ball, Sebastian Frey, Manfred Hintermayer, Martin Nagel
  • Patent number: 11654489
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a printer system based on high power, high brightness visible laser source for improved resolution and printing speeds. Visible laser devices based on high power visible laser diodes can be scaled using the stimulated Raman scattering process to create a high power, high brightness visible laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Nuburu, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Zediker