Patents Examined by Christopher Schatz
  • Patent number: 9644123
    Abstract: An anchoring adhesive includes effective amounts of an isocyanurate compound and a vinyl ester compound that react and cure to form a composition having high compressive strength, high tensile strength and low shrinkage. The anchoring adhesive can be used to firmly bond anchor pins to boreholes in concrete, steel, wood, and other substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J Rourke
  • Patent number: 9640823
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly which makes it possible to produce a polymer electrolyte fuel cell at a high level of productivity. According to the present invention, it is possible to make differences in characteristics between a first catalyst electrode 11A and a second catalyst electrode 11B, which are formed on the both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane 3, without changing materials of the first and the second catalyst electrode 11A and 11B. In the present invention, the first and the second catalyst electrode 11A and 11B are adhered to the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 by sticking the first catalyst electrode 11A by a first roll press 7 followed by sticking the second catalyst electrode 11B by a second roll press 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuta Fukui
  • Patent number: 9636962
    Abstract: An air spring includes a bellow at least partially delimiting at least one working chamber that is constructed and arranged to be filled with compressed air. A guide tube surrounds at least a portion of the bellow. A bonding agent solely fixes a portion of the bellow to the guide tube. A piston is associated with the bellow. The bellow is constructed and arranged to roll with respect to an outer surface of the piston and an inner surface of the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Schallmeier
  • Patent number: 9616647
    Abstract: A device for bonding a window includes a chamber having an internal space, a display panel fixing unit in the chamber and including a first curved surface, the first curved surface being configured to attach to a flexible display panel, a window fixing unit in the chamber and including a second curved surface, at least part of the window fixing unit including an ultraviolet transmitting material, the second curved surface facing the first curved surface and being complementary with the first curved surface, and the second curved surface being configured to attach to a window, and an ultraviolet irradiating unit on the window fixing unit, the ultraviolet irradiating unit being configured to irradiate ultraviolet light through the window fixing unit toward the first curved surface of the display panel fixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Youl Cho, Jong-Hwan Kim, Kyung-Su Lee
  • Patent number: 9616588
    Abstract: A method of forming a joint between first and second workpieces generally consisting of forming a recess in one of such workpieces, provided with at least one side wall having a serrated cross-sectional configuration with inwardly projecting, distortable segments; providing a portion in the other of such workpieces, insertable into such recess, having a cross-sectional configuration sufficient to engage and distort such segments as such portion is inserted into such recess; and inserting such of the other workpiece into such recess, causing the segments to distort and thus provide an interference fit between such workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hardesty
  • Patent number: 9616603
    Abstract: A tool (1200) includes a mold defining a cavity (1202). The cavity can be for receiving a glass layer (402). A floating core insert (1201) can be placed in the cavity. One or more wedge-shaped backing plates (1203,1204) can translate along a first axis, in response to a servo or other translation engine, to apply a preloading force through the floating core insert against a first major face of the glass layer, preclude an overmolding operation on the first major face, and allow overmolding only on minor faces of the glass layer when polymeric material is injected into the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Eric J. Haupt
  • Patent number: 9604442
    Abstract: The present application discloses a composite pad structure that includes a substrate bonded to a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, resilient elements engaged to at least one reinforcing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED FT COMPOSITE SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Kim
  • Patent number: 9586379
    Abstract: A curved composite structure, comprises at least two curved composite panel segments joined together. Each of the panel segments includes a fluted core sandwiched between first and second facesheets. A layer of adhesive is used to rigidly bond the panel segments together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas A. McCarville, Juan C. Guzman
  • Patent number: 9573355
    Abstract: A forming tool and method for its use with flat pre-preg composite laminate assemblies which incorporates a mandrel segmented into multiple forming blocks, the forming blocks sized to receive a draped composite laminate assembly with all portions of the composite laminate assembly spaced from a shaping surface on each block. A spline plate engages the shaping surface of the forming blocks to provide a neutral axis for maintaining the entire composite laminate assembly in tension during forming. In the exemplary embodiments, the draped composite laminate assembly is formed to the forming blocks from the flat composite laminate assembly and maintained in contact with the forming blocks using a vacuum bag. The mandrel forming blocks arc then displaced to a desired curvature on the spline plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Nelson, Peter D. McCowin, Worm Lund
  • Patent number: 9572479
    Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece, a light guide within the handpiece, and a multi-spot generator at a distal end of the handpiece. The handpiece is configured to optically couple to a light source. The light guide is configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece. The multi-spot generator includes a faceted optical element with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide. The faceted end surface includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 9573327
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for performing a planarization treatment of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process includes positioning a first substrate onto a support surface of a planarization tool. The process further includes placing at least one layer of PSA onto the first substrate. The process further includes positioning a second substrate onto the layer(s) of PSA. The process further includes applying a pressure to the second substrate via a flexible membrane, said pressure being applied in a generally uniform, unidirectional and localized manner. Further, the applied pressure flattens the PSA between the first substrate and the second substrate for promoting suitability of the PSA for use in rigid-to-rigid lamination processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Sampica, Paul R. Nemeth, Tracy J. Barnidge, Vincent P. Marzen
  • Patent number: 9555607
    Abstract: A tape sticking apparatus includes a rubber sheet that partitions an airtight space formed above a chamber into first and second airtight spaces and, a tape frame that holds a tape above the rubber sheet, and a supply/exhaust mechanism that switches between pressurizing and depressurizing by supplying gas to or sucking gas from the first and second airtight spaces. The gas supply/exhaust mechanism includes a first flow-rate control valve that controls the flow rate of sucked gas when the first airtight space is depressurized, and a second flow-rate control valve that controls the flow rate of supplied when the first airtight space is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NEC ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Taga, Kazumasa Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 9533471
    Abstract: An economical glass image encapsulation process that encapsulates an image between a single plate of glass and a flexible, adhesive sheet of ethylene vinyl acetate. Application of varying thermodynamic parameters to the plate of glass in a vacuum oven increases the glass' absorbency to ink from the image, without relying on the traditional high temperature ovens or tempering machines. The economical glass image encapsulation process eliminates multiple steps, equipment, and components traditionally utilized for image encapsulation such as the need for: high temperature heaters, tempering machines, a second plate of glass, extra adhesive sheets of polymers, multiple superfluous steps for cutting the plate of glass, and shipping costs for whole plates of glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Roberto Di Campli
  • Patent number: 9518333
    Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts that include anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions such that an interface between the anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions are free of visible defects are described. The non-anodizable portions can be made of anodizable metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The non-anodizable portions are made of material that do not generally form an anodic film, such as plastic, ceramic or glass materials. In particular, the methods described relate to manufacturing methods that are compatible with anodizing processes and avoid defects related to anodizing processes. In particular embodiments, the methods involve avoiding trapping of anodizing chemicals within a gap between an anodizable portion and a non-anodizable portion, which prevents the anodizing chemicals from disrupting the uptake of dye in a post-anodizing dyeing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Derek C. Krass, Nicholas G. Merz, Daniel W. Jarvis, Matthew P. Rao, Vincent Yan, Michael Ngo, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Thomas Johannessen
  • Patent number: 9517528
    Abstract: A tool and method for bonding layers of a shell by the differential pressure bonding process. The tool and method includes a plurality of separable mandrel segments that combine to form a mandrel having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface, an upper end, and at least one substantially continuous inner surface. The inner surface has a substantially axisymmetric shape having complex curvature. In this embodiment, the tool further includes a retort configured to at least partially shroud the outer surface and upper end of the hollow body. The retort includes at least one vacuum port. The tool is configured to facilitate the compression of a plurality of layers of a multi-layer shell having complex curvature as the shell layers and an interdisposed bonding material are heated to an elevated bonding temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Sommer, Mark Alan Ramsey, David Dwain Rishel
  • Patent number: 9520522
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising pressing a first silicone gel sheet provided on a sunlight receiving surface of a solar cell string and a second silicone gel sheet provided on an opposite side sunlight non-receiving surface of the solar cell string in vacuum to encapsulate the solar cell string with the first and second silicone gel sheets; disposing the sunlight receiving surface side of the first silicone gel sheet on one surface of a transparent light receiving panel and disposing butyl rubber in a picture frame-like shape along an outer peripheral portion of a panel where the first silicone gel sheet is not formed and laying the light receiving panel and the light non-receiving panel or back sheet over each other with the silicone gel sheet-encapsulated solar cell string on the inside, and pressing them at 100 to 150° C. in vacuum to press bond the light receiving surface panel and the light non-receiving surface panel or back sheet to each other through the butyl rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Furihata, Atsuo Ito, Hiroto Ohwada, Hyung Bae Kim, Sumio Sekiyama, Junichi Tsukada, Atsushi Yaginuma, Naoki Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 9511537
    Abstract: A bonding tool to facilitate bonding of a liner to a surface of a workpiece is provided. The bonding tool includes a bladder, which is inflatable from an initial size to an expanded size, a frame formed to define a recess in which the bladder is disposed, the recess being oriented such that, when inflated from the initial size to the expanded size, the bladder applies a predefined pressure to the liner such that the liner is pressed against the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark A. Tuscano, Michael Haiday
  • Patent number: 9511538
    Abstract: A fabrication method of forming thermoplastic composite laminate parts with tailored and varying thickness in a continuous process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up are used to collate parts or components into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Ply consolidation tooling contains all necessary part features and is coordinated to the customized multiple ply stacks to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate potentially having areas of differing thickness from the multiple ply stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander M. Rubin, James R. Fox, Randall D. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 9511548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a skin of a composite structure are disclosed herein. The methods include operatively attaching a charge of composite material to a flexible substrate to define an initial conformation for a composite-substrate assembly and locating the composite-substrate assembly and a layup mandrel proximal to one another. The methods further include pressing the composite-substrate assembly against an outer surface of the layup mandrel to deform the composite-substrate assembly to a final conformation. The methods also include affixing the charge of composite material to the outer surface of the layup mandrel and releasing the charge of composite material from the flexible substrate while retaining the charge of composite material on the outer surface of the layup mandrel. The systems include the flexible substrate, the layup mandrel, and an assembly deformation structure that is configured to press the composite-substrate assembly against the outer surface of the layup mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Arvid J. Berg, Joseph D. Anderson, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Richard V. Phillips, Stephen Lee Metschan, Brad Andrew Coxon, Joseph J. Pruss
  • Patent number: 9505180
    Abstract: Producing a composite structure comprising fibre reinforced material impregnated with liquid resin by means of vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding, by method of: providing a forming structure comprising a rigid mould part and a second mould part; placing the fibre material in the rigid mould part; sealing the second mould part against the rigid mould part, forming a mould cavity; connecting a source of uncured fluid resin to at least one resin inlet communicating with the mould cavity; connecting at least one vacuum outlet communicating with the mould cavity; evacuating the interior of the forming structure through at least one vacuum outlet, measuring at least one vacuum outlet airflow level; supplying uncured resin from the source of uncured resin to the mould cavity through at least one resin inlet so as to fill the mould cavity with resin; and curing the resin in order to form the composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventor: Karsten Schibsbye