Patents Examined by Kyle A Cook
  • Patent number: 10760546
    Abstract: A method of mounting a vortex generator to a wind turbine blade includes: a step of specifying positions of at least two reference points at different coordinates in a blade spanwise direction of the wind turbine blade on the wind turbine blade; and a step of adjusting a mounting direction of the vortex generator and mounting the vortex generator to the wind turbine blade, with reference to a line connecting the reference points. The step of specifying the positions of the reference points comprises specifying the position of each of the reference points on the basis of: a length along a surface of the wind turbine blade in a chordwise direction from a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade or from a blade spanwise directional line extending along the blade spanwise direction on the surface of the wind turbine blade; and a distance in the blade spanwise direction from a blade root or from a blade tip of the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Fukami, Daisuke Wakata, Yuji Yatomi, Takashi Yamamura, Yoshihiro Fujioka
  • Patent number: 10751114
    Abstract: A pair of jaw members for an electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by providing first and second jaw members (2 & 3), each jaw member including a planar sealing surface (5 & 7). The jaw members are assembled with the first and second jaw members in a required orientation such that the planar sealing surface (5) of the first jaw member (2) is at a predetermined orientation with respect to the sealing surface (7) of the second jaw member (3). The first and second jaw members are held in the required orientation, and pivot holes (11 & 12) are formed in the first and second jaw members while they are held in the required orientation. When a pivot pin is inserted through the pivot holes in the first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members are assembled into a pair of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventor: Neill Tomás Brennan
  • Patent number: 10745856
    Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic tensile member having a precisely known and stable length. The invention, also comprises equipment configured to carry out the method. A tensile member is prepared by attaching terminations to an assembly of synthetic filaments. The tensile member is then attached to a loading apparatus that subjects the tensile member to a pre-defined loading process. The tensile member is thereby conditioned to a stable length. The length is then measured and a length adjusting component is incorporated into the tensile member to create a precise and stabilized length that is configured for the tensile member's particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bright Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard V. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10744556
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an article that includes: providing a first workpiece component formed of a first steel material; joining a second workpiece component to the first workpiece component to form a workpiece, the second workpiece component being formed of a second steel material that is different from the first steel material; and forming a plurality of teeth on the workpiece, the teeth being wholly formed of the first steel material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Rothstein, Cory J. Padfield
  • Patent number: 10722990
    Abstract: A method includes assembling a silencer baffle configured to mount in a fluid conduit along a fluid flow path, where assembling the silencer baffle includes coupling together a plurality of baffle sections via mating interlock structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Naveen Ghattadhahalli Parmeshwar, Hua Zhang, Bradly Aaron Kippel, Valery Ivanovich Ponyavin
  • Patent number: 10682733
    Abstract: A method for attaching an abradable piece support by crimping to the radially inner wall of a vane sector of a turbomachine, comprises deforming opposite rims of the radially inner wall on opposite free axial ends of the abradable piece support respectively, jointly, by means of two pressure blocks (40A, 40B) respectively, which are attached to each other and delimiting a space (42) between them intended to accommodate a median portion of the abradable piece support. A crimping attachment device (30) comprising such pressure blocks can in particular be operated by means of a conventional press, and can enable the method for attaching the abradable piece support to be automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Bruno Julien, Jean Moullet, Agostinho Da Silva Peixoto, Jérôme Joseph, Marcel Francoise, Haniffa-tri Mohamed
  • Patent number: 10655609
    Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for removing a drive train component, such as a gearbox, from a rotor shaft uptower in a wind turbine, wherein the component is supported by transversely extending mounting arms at mount locations on the wind turbine frame. The drive train component is supported from above or below and the mount locations. At each mount location, a removal fixture is installed that includes an actuator that moves linearly essentially parallel to the rotor shaft. The mounting arms are simultaneously engaged with the respective actuators, which are controlled to linearly push the mounting arms until the drive train component disengages from the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Signore, Michael R. Johnson, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Gregory Clarence Thomas
  • Patent number: 10641307
    Abstract: An assembly comprising first and second structural elements having aligned holes, an fastener that occupies at least respective portions of the holes without a surrounding sleeve, and a mating part that is coupled to the fastener. The fastener comprises: a head; a circular cylindrical shank extending from the head; a mating portion comprising external projections; and a transition portion disposed between the shank and the mating portion. The transition portion comprises a first radiused lead-in section that meets the shank at a shank/lead-in intersection and a second radiused lead-in section that meets the first radiused lead-in section. The first radiused lead-in section curves gradually in a first axial direction toward the mating portion and has a first profile that is a circular arc having a first radius, while the second radiused lead-in section curves abruptly in the first axial direction and has a second profile that is a circular arc having a second radius which is much smaller than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Blake A. Simpson, Tanni Sisco, Todd E. Hubbell, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 10618205
    Abstract: A method for producing parts from polymer in a mould comprising first and second mould portions that can be moved relative to each other, comprising: —closing (202) the mould in order to form a first injection cavity connected to an injection device by the first mould portion, —injecting (204) material into the first injection cavity in order to form a first part, —moving (206) one of the mould portions relative to the other, the first part remaining connected to the second mould portion, —closing (208) the mould to form: a second injection cavity connected to the injection device by the first mould portion, and a first solidification cavity in which the first part is disposed, —injecting (210) material into the second injection cavity to form a second part and simultaneously solidifying the first part disposed in the first solidification cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Groupe JBT
    Inventors: Jean Benoit, Dominique Malfroy, Laurent Lavina
  • Patent number: 10599969
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method for installing a tracking fastener using a fastener insertion device. The fastener insertion device may include a handle and a fastener receiver. The handle may form a receiving chamber therein. The receiving chamber may receive, during use, tracking fasteners within. The tracking fasteners may include an antenna at least partially positioned in a proximal end of the plastic tracking fastener including a first end or a first and a second end extending out of the proximal end of the tracking fastener. The fastener receiver may include a striker, a diverter, a router, and a tapered reverse angle guide. The diverter, guide (e.g., router, tapered reverse angle guide), and a designed striker may position, during use, the antenna around the driver mechanism and away from the striker tip. The striker inserts the fastener into a substrate without damage to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Utility Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Vallee, Rajkiran R. Tiwari, Pamela S. Tucker
  • Patent number: 10589407
    Abstract: A method for setting an expansion anchor by a power tool, and a power tool that performs the method, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes exerting rotary impacts on the expansion anchor in order to expand an expansion sleeve in dependence on a first rotational speed until a tightening torque corresponds to a threshold value, exerting a predetermined number of rotary impacts on the expansion anchor in dependence on the first rotational speed, and exerting rotary impacts on the expansion anchor by the power tool in dependence on a generated second rotational speed for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Gaul
  • Patent number: 10556309
    Abstract: Methods involving adding a removable fixating material to a partially manufactured workpiece to stabilize a plurality of partially formed objects therein for subsequent manufacturing. In one example, valleys are formed in a workpiece between adjacent partially formed objects so that interconnecting portions remain to interconnect the partially formed objects. Then, the removable fixating material is installed in the valleys, and once the removable fixating material has hardened, the workpiece is further processed to at least remove the interconnecting portions. In some embodiments, a mold is used to install the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a prefabricated temporary frame is used for installing the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a temporary frame is formed from the workpiece along with the plurality of objects during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: PROTO LABS INC.
    Inventors: James L. Jacobs, II, Chris Stahl
  • Patent number: 10472854
    Abstract: A method for creating a key and a female lock part for a lock, whereby just a few parts are used to create a high number of unique locks. A coding part and a blank are affixed to each other to create the key or female lock part. Coding part and blank each have a contact surface, which, when brought together, can rotate continuously relative each other. The coding part is placed on the blank at a desired rotational position and affixed in that position, either by welding or adhesively. To create a lock with a unique lock function, two coding parts with mating contact surfaces are each attached to a blank, The key and female lock part so made function only with each other. In this way, the same basic coding part and basic blank can be used to create a large number of different locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventors: André Haake, Oliver Haake, Patrick Haake
  • Patent number: 10465825
    Abstract: A method for joining a first conduit section having a longitudinally extending open first end and an inner surface with a second conduit section having a longitudinally extending end and an outer surface is provided. The method comprises: a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in the open first end of the first conduit section and forming a fluid tight seal between the first and second conduit sections; and, b) bonding at least a portion of the inner surface of the first conduit section to at least a portion of the outer surface of the second conduit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Dave Petersen
  • Patent number: 10465664
    Abstract: A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Garry, Hunter Ryan Anderson, Arianna Abram, Richard Jenkins, Nicholas Joseph Cleveland, Gregory Thomas, Michael Royce Johnson, Michael Frederick Sander, Jonathan Paul Signore
  • Patent number: 10429819
    Abstract: A device with a processing unit and a storage device also has a base, a cover including a plurality of guiding holes, a plurality of receiving members, an installation member, a plurality of first sensing devices, and a plurality of second sensing devices. The processing unit determines by a specific one of the first sensing devices corresponding to a specific one of the receiving members that the installation member is to acquire a fastening element from the specific receiving member. Then, the processing unit determines by a specific one of the second sensing devices corresponding to a specific one of the guiding holes that the installation member is to move towards the specific guiding hole. The processing unit controls the installation member to fasten the fastening element to an electronic device through the specific guiding hole when the specific first sensing device corresponds to the specific second sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Xu Jin, Ting-Hui Deng, Long-Fong Chen
  • Patent number: 10406639
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for repairing a precision casted turbine blade having a squealer and at least one letterbox which was closed by brazing during new-part manufacturing, wherein the letterbox area was damaged during operation in the first life cycle of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Michael Seemann, Thomas Schnittger, Marcel Timper, Patrik Sondej, Frigyes Szuecs
  • Patent number: 10392826
    Abstract: A method of installing a joint into a light pole is described. The method includes the steps of supporting the light pole during cutting, then lowering a free portion of the lightpole about a hinge. The hinge is configured such that when a free portion of the light pole is lowered, wiring internal of the light pole is not significantly stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SWIVELPOLE PATENT PTY LTD
    Inventors: Robert John Pannekoek, Peter Pannekoek
  • Patent number: 10352051
    Abstract: An automated gypsum board installation machine is a device for automatically positioning, installing, and fastening gypsum boards. The device includes a first extendable support member and a second extendable support member as well as a board-fastening assembly that is slidably engaged in between. A quantity of gypsum boards is held within a board-containing receptacle and a gypsum board may be moved into position by at least one adjustable board-retaining device. Once the gypsum board is positioned, at least one fastener-installing device is able to secure the gypsum board in place via fasteners. The at least one fastener-installing device is mechanically coupled to at least one fastener receptacle. The device may be controlled automatically or manually via a control unit and a wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry Hardy
  • Patent number: 10337330
    Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor stack comprising a plurality of component parts, the method comprising: determining swash measurements for interfacing surfaces of the plurality of parts; calculating a runout estimate for a plurality of relative orientations of the parts; applying an optimization algorithm to identify an optimal orientation from the plurality of relative orientations based on the runout estimates; and assembling the parts in the optimal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Bryce D Conduit, Lorenzo Raffaelli