Patents Examined by Lawrence Averick
  • Patent number: 11739504
    Abstract: A process and tool for installing and removing various kinds of wear parts used with earth working equipment. The process and tool allows the operator to remove and install the wear parts at a safe distance so that the operator is physically remote from the potential risks of the removal and installation process. The tool may be manually operated via an operator or the tool may be a semi-automated or fully automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Rod Clarke, Ryan J. Carpenter, Noah Cowgill, Taylor M. Finley, Joseph E. Blomberg, Christopher M. Carpenter, Eric L. Bewley
  • Patent number: 11731788
    Abstract: A method of producing at least part of a structural frame of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a support structure (300), the support structure (300) comprising: a plurality of elongate members (301); and one or more retaining members (208) configured to retain the elongate members (301); mounting a plurality of first structural components (206) to the support structure (300) by coupling the first structural components (206) to the elongate members (301) such that each first structural component (206) occupies a different respective position along the elongate members (301); and attaching a plurality of second structural components (204) to the first structural components (206), thereby coupling together the first structural components (206) to form the at least part of the structural frame of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Gregory Warren Thompson
  • Patent number: 11730950
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a process for preparing a shaped metal product, wherein a monolithic metal precursor surrounded by a sacrificial outer element is formed to smaller dimensions, and the sacrificial material is subsequently removed. One aspect further provides a composite for preparing a shaped metal product, and a shaped metal product. Such shaped metal products can be used to manufacture an active implantable medical device or sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Heraeus Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Spaniol, Tim Esposto, Andre Weigand, Markus Jung
  • Patent number: 11724315
    Abstract: A system and method of additive manufacturing is disclosed herein which when run or performed form a product with a powder-based additive manufacturing device by adding sequential layers of material on top of one another. As each sequential layer of material is added, the system and method can include monitoring the sequential layer with a defect analysis subsystem to detect whether the sequential layer has any defects. For a detected defect, it can be determined whether defect correction is required. For a required defect correction, one or more correction parameters for the required defect correction can be identified; and a correction command including the one or more correction parameters can be sent to the additive manufacturing device, the correction command causing the additive manufacturing device to help correct the detected defect in the sequential layer according to the correction parameters prior to moving on to a next sequential layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sentient Science Corporation
    Inventors: Jingfu Liu, Behrooz Jalalahmadi, Ziye Liu, Andrew Vechart, Xiawa Wu
  • Patent number: 11712768
    Abstract: A system is provided for the automated assembly of engine cylinder valves capable of registering a valve stem as a robot datum working location, placing a valve stem spring over the working location, compressing the valve stem spring onto the valve stem, inserting a valve keeper into a valve stem seating notch and locking the valve keeper with a cap by a computer controlled automated cylinder head assembly line. A spring feeding station registers the valve stem and said places the valve stem spring over the working location. A multi-axis mechanical robot grips the valve spring about its outer diameter with a gripping fixture from a spring feeding fixture forming an end effector incorporating a jaw gripper urged by a pneumatically actuator. A vision system locates a cylinder block on a transferred pallet to determine an X, Y, and Rz plane for placement of the valve, spring and spring keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventors: Wes Graham, Matthew L. Myers, Raymond P Gatta
  • Patent number: 11713138
    Abstract: Tooling for placing a propulsive assembly from a horizontal position to a vertical position includes a front tool and a rear tool. The front tool has a first assembly with a frame configured to be positioned and maintained with respect to a front casing. The frame has a first connection interface configured to be connected to a first lifting system such that the frame is movable about an axis of rotation (R). The front tool also has a second assembly with a shaft configured to be positioned and maintained with respect to a rotor and a member for connection between the first assembly and the second assembly. The tooling further includes a rear tool configured to be positioned and maintained with respect to the rear casing. The rear tool has a second connection interface configured to be connected to a second lifting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Remy Le Gall
  • Patent number: 11708844
    Abstract: An alignment tool for aligning a plurality of diffuser pipes of a centrifugal compressor relative to a casing of an aircraft engine. The alignment tool includes a body defining a center axis and having at least one tool datum configured for abutting against the casing. A plurality of alignment members are fixed to the body and extend radially from the body relative to the center axis. Each alignment member of the plurality of alignment members has a respective fixed position relative to the at least one tool datum. The plurality of alignment members are configured to abut the plurality of diffuser pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Gavin Rohiteshwar Kisun, Danny Noiseux
  • Patent number: 11701701
    Abstract: A method joins members for joining a first member being cylindrical and a second member being plate-shaped and having an opening. This method includes: inserting a first member into an opening of the second member; inserting an elastic body into the first member; guiding an outer diameter side of the first member with a pair of outer dies on both sides of the second member; and compressing an elastic body in the first member with a pair of inner dies. The inner dies compress the elastic body within a range in which the outer dies are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Maeda, Toru Hashimura, Taiki Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 11691257
    Abstract: A cap removal device is adapted to remove end caps from water pump devices. The cap removal device has a cap remover that is adapted to be secured to the end caps of pressure vessels. The cap removal device further has a honed tube that is adapted to stabilize the cap removal device and the end cap during removal of the end cap thereby preventing cross-threading. The cap removal device also has a puller handle that is adapted to make removal of the end cap more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Jock J. Crump
  • Patent number: 11685029
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an insert and system of installing the same. The insert includes a tapered core and a cylinder. The core releasably secures to an installation device which includes a depth stop or a depth control to control the installation depth of the insert. The insert may be provided in a tray that allows for easier handling of the inserts and installation thereof in installation holes, for example in a hydraulic manifold. In some cases, the core includes a threaded hole to releasably secure the insert to the installation device, thus allowing the installation device to pull the core into the cylinder. The core and cylinder may be made of metallic materials such as steels, steel alloys and others. In some cases the insert can withstand blow out pressures of 40,000 psi or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Engineered Inserts & Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Kirilichin, David P. Turechek, Brian P. Krieger
  • Patent number: 11686537
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger is provided. The method includes forming a first substrate by additively manufacturing a body defining a first outer surface and a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, a first partial fluid flow channel formed within the first outer surface, a second partial fluid flow channel formed within the second outer surface, and at least one internal fluid flow channel completely formed within the body, and coupling the first substrate to a second substrate including a partial fluid flow channel formed within a surface of the second substrate such that the first partial fluid flow channel of the first substrate and the partial fluid flow channel of the second substrate combine to form a combined fluid flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Douglas Rambo
  • Patent number: 11680753
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for additively manufacturing a heat pipe, the method including depositing, via a filament delivery device, a filament to form a heat pipe preform, wherein the filament includes a binder and a metal or alloy powder; and sintering the heat pipe preform to form the heat pipe, the heat pipe including an outer shell, a wicking region, and a vapor transport region defined by the metal or alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinlan Yee Shuck, Scott Nelson, Raymond Ruiwen Xu, Brandon David Ribic, Matthew R. Gold
  • Patent number: 11668385
    Abstract: An assembly for acoustically influencing toothed wheels, including at least one first toothed wheel having teeth and one second toothed wheel having teeth, wherein the teeth have flanks, wherein at least one flank of a tooth of the first toothed wheel can be engaged with a flank of a tooth of the second toothed wheel, wherein at least one flank of a tooth of the first toothed wheel forms a contact zone or, in the ideal case, a contact line with an engaging flank of a tooth of a second toothed wheel, wherein the contact zone or the contact line is formed at an angle ?Aq, in particular between 5° and 85° or between 95° and 175°, in relation to an axis of an undulation, a microangle distribution, and/or a microangle periodicity of the engaging flank of the tooth of the second toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: AUDI AG, Audi Hungaria Zrt
    Inventors: István Törok, Sebastian Pehnelt
  • Patent number: 11666973
    Abstract: A complex concentrated alloy (CCA) and/or high entropy alloy (HEA) additive manufacturing nozzle can include a nozzle body defining at least four powder channels. Each powder channel can be configured to be connected to a powder supply of a plurality of powder supplies to receive a powder from the powder supply for ejecting the powder toward a build area to form an additively manufactured article having a CCA and/or an HEA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Luke Borkowski, Tahany I. El-Wardany, William K. Tredway, Colette O. Fennessy
  • Patent number: 11660672
    Abstract: A 3D-printed reflective optic providing very high specific stiffness through the utilization of a hollow shelled design, with closed back, filled with high-stiffness internal volumetric space-filling open-cell lattice structures. High-stiffness, structurally-integrated, sacrificial structures are also included for the purposes of reduction or elimination of tooling during post-processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: John J Polizotti, Craig J. Paggi, Michael J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11660674
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for setting a working distance of an additive manufacturing system, including: moving a deposition element towards a build surface; detecting, via a contact detection system, a contact between the deposition element and the build surface; stopping the moving of the deposition element in response to detecting the contact between the deposition element and the build surface; and moving the deposition element away from the build surface a determined working distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FormAlloy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Riemann
  • Patent number: 11643223
    Abstract: A facility for simplifying the facilities and tools required to assemble a first aircraft fuselage section and a second aircraft fuselage section by the ends thereof, these sections being fragile, large elements. The facility includes a logistics trolley that can be moved on the floor and immobilized in a position to carry the first section, at least one adjustable support installed on the floor at another position that is adjustable with six degrees of freedom, to carry the second section. Each support can be commanded to adjust the position of the second section in relation to the first section, such as to position one end of the second section in geometric conformity with one end of the first section. This arrangement enables all movements to be made directly on the floor, obviating the need to provide lifting machines or overhead traveling cranes within the assembly facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Cédric Godard, Florian Collado, Jacques Bouriquet, Jean-Marc Datas, Nicolas Darbonville, André Aquila
  • Patent number: 11643224
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inspecting a wing panel. Some methods include advancing a wing panel through a Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) station, and inspecting the wing panel with inspection heads at the NDI station. The wing panel may be suspended beneath a strongback during inspection and/or advancement, such as by using vacuum couplers and/or adjustable-length pogos of the strongback, and suspending may include enforcing a contour to the wing panel using the vacuum couplers and/or pogos. Other methods include receiving a wing panel at an NDI station and inspecting a portion thereof during movement through the NDI station. Some systems include a track, a strongback to suspend a wing panel beneath it and to advance along the track, and an NDI station disposed at the track to inspect the wing panel while suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, James C. Kennedy, Jeremy Evan Justice
  • Patent number: 11644244
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has an upper manifold with a first curved section; a lower manifold spaced from and extending parallel to the upper manifold and having a second curved section; a plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a plurality of corrugated fins. Each corrugated fin is formed by a strip having radiused portions alternating with planar portions, and the radiused portions are in contact with the respective adjacent refrigerant tubes. Each of the fins has a curve-inner edge and a curve outer edge and at least one edge of the curve-inner edge and the curve outer edge of at least one fin has a recessed portion in the planar portions that is recessed inward toward a center of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: John Rosen, Scott Kent
  • Patent number: 11638959
    Abstract: A method for forming a component includes estimating a dosing plan for powder of a powder bed fusion (PBF) system needed to form the component. The dosing plan includes powder dosing requirements needed per layer to form the component. The method includes providing the dosing plan to a controller of the PBF system. Further, the method includes regulating the powder being supplied to a build chamber of the PBF system from a supply chamber of the PBF system based on the dosing plan. In addition, the method includes additively manufacturing the component via the PBF system using the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Johnnattan Tennessee Ugarte, Joanna Mechelle Jayawickrema, Xuefeng Zhang, Jun Zheng Hu, Kishore Vetcha, Veeraraju Vanapalli, Andrew Jean Desrosiers, Ruben Egberto Fairman, Ryan Antony Lozier