Patents Examined by Lawrence H Samuels
  • Patent number: 11241117
    Abstract: A heat retentive server includes a chamber defined between an upper shell and a lower shell that are connected to one another. An induction-heatable member is positioned in the chamber, and the induction-heatable member may be heated by electromagnetic induction to a first temperature that is greater than the heat deflection temperature of the upper shell. Buffering material comprising an inhibitively conductive hydrophobic material is positioned in the chamber between the induction-heatable member and the upper shell, and the buffering material is adapted for providing predetermined conductive heat transfer from the induction-heatable member to the upper shell so that at least a portion of the upper shell is heated to a second temperature that is greater than the heat deflection temperature of the upper shell. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Aladdin Temp-Rite LLC
    Inventors: Rodger D Crocker, David R Gordon, R Kevin Ray, Timothy D Altizer, Matthew J McCartney, Martin A Rothschild, Phillip H Scruggs
  • Patent number: 11229091
    Abstract: A safety method and system consisting of resistance checking for use with high power deicing and defogging systems, including high power deicing and defogging systems for windshields and including quasi-continuous checking with pulse-electro thermal deicing and defogging systems, is disclosed. The resistance checking system may be combined with a proximity detector safety system which operates in conjunction with the resistance based safety system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Betterfrost Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameh M. I. Saad, Kazi Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11224934
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to weld by preheating welding wire and inductively heating a workpiece are disclosed. An example welding system includes: a welding current source configured to provide welding current to a welding circuit, the welding circuit comprising an electrode wire and a first contact tip of a welding torch; an electrode preheating circuit configured to provide preheating current through a first portion of the electrode wire via a second contact tip of the welding torch; and at least one induction heating coil configured to apply induction heat to a workpiece, the welding current source, the electrode preheating circuit, and the induction heating coil configured to perform a preheating operation and a welding operation on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Earl Holverson, James Francis Rappl
  • Patent number: 11224942
    Abstract: A method for stack-welding dissimilar metal members by placing a first metal member and a second metal member having a melting point higher than that of the first metal member on top of one another and performing laser welding is provided. The second metal member is placed on the first metal member, and a molten pool in which only the second metal member is melted is formed by applying a laser beam for thermal-conduction welding from above the second metal member. After the molten pool comes into contact with the first metal member and hence the first metal member melts in the molten pool, the molten pool solidifies, so that the first and second metal members and are welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Kobayashi, Yoshinori Shibata, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11213907
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting welding schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type torch configured for use during welding-type operations, with the welding-type torch comprising an input device configured for setting a welding-type parameter, such as welding schedules, associated with a welding-type device that is used in conjunction with the welding-type torch during the welding-type operations. The welding-type device may be a welding-type power source. The welding-type torch is connected to the welding-type device via a welding-type connector, with the setting of the welding-type parameter occurring via the welding-type connector and without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Chris J. Roehl, Andrew James Thielke
  • Patent number: 11213915
    Abstract: Provided is a welding method that can enhance joining quality between an upper plate and a lower plate. One aspect of the present disclosure is a joining method including joining the upper plate to the lower plate that is overlapped with the upper plate by applying energy to a top surface of the upper plate to thereby melt the upper plate and the lower plate together. A joining path designed to apply the energy to the top surface of the upper plate crosses an axis along a joining-travel direction and includes a turn-point. An amount of the energy includes a first energy applied in the vicinity of the turn-point and a second energy amount applied in an area other than the vicinity of the turn-point. The first energy amount is smaller than the second energy amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kobayashi, Koji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11212881
    Abstract: There is provided an inductive heating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate and a susceptor, and to heat the susceptor when the article is received by the device, the device including a DC power supply to provide a DC supply voltage and a DC current; and power supply electronics including a DC/AC converter connected to the power supply, and an inductor connected to the converter to inductively couple to the susceptor when the article is received by the device, the electronics being configured to supply power to the inductor from the power supply, via the converter, for heating the susceptor when the article is received by the device, the supplied power being provided in a plurality of pulses separated by time intervals, and to control a duration of the time intervals between successive pulses based on measurements of the current provided by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Oleg Fursa, Oleg Mironov
  • Patent number: 11203085
    Abstract: A device and associated method for joining, via a laser welder, a first workpiece to a second workpiece is described. This includes arranging the first and second workpieces in a stack, including overlapping a portion of the first workpiece with a portion of the second workpiece. The laser welder generates a first laser beam and coincidentally controls the laser welder to traverse a desired weld path that is disposed on the top surface of the first workpiece. The laser devices generates a second laser beam and coincidentally controls the laser welder to traverse the desired weld path. Generating, via the laser welder, the first laser beam includes operating the laser welder at a pulsed operation and at a first power level. Generating, via the laser welder, the second laser beam includes operating the laser welder at a continuous operation and at a second power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wu Tao
  • Patent number: 11198195
    Abstract: A welded blank assembly is formed by welding first and second sheet metal pieces together at a weld joint. At least one of the sheet metal pieces includes a boron steel or press hardenable steel base material layer and an aluminum-based coating material layer, along with a weld notch where at least a portion of the coating material layer is removed before welding. An additional material can be provided during welding to influence weld joint composition and/or a secondary heat source can be used to heat and flow a protective material in a weld region of the blank assembly. The weld notch has a width that may be related to the width of a heat-affected zone formed during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TWB COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Evangelista, Michael Telenko, Jason E. Harfoot, Jack A. Atkinson, James W. Walther, Anthony M. Parente
  • Patent number: 11185947
    Abstract: A welding structure for a metal member includes a first member containing a metal member, a second member containing a metal member, a first solidifying portion, a second solidifying portion, and a third solidifying portion. The first solidifying portion is present from a first surface to a second surface of the first member. The second solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion is shorter than the second solidifying portion. The second solidifying portion and the third solidifying portion are separated from each other in the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kumazawa, Takayuki Ashida
  • Patent number: 11166585
    Abstract: The automatic coffee machine for preparing espresso coffee comprises at least one; infusion assembly (1) having an infusion piston (2) that can be actuated by motorized means (3), at least one container containing coffee beans to be ground, grinding means (4, 5) to grind the beans for preparing doses of ground coffee, conveying means to convey the doses of ground coffee into a filter-holder element (7) arranged under the piston, the grinding means (4, 5) comprising a first and a second grinder that are actuated by a first and a second opposite motor (8, 9) arranged laterally to the infusion piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CMA MACCHINE PER CAFÉ S.R.L.
    Inventors: Beppino Ceotto, Giovanni Rossetto
  • Patent number: 11166350
    Abstract: Adjustable system and methods are provided that are used in curing a foam item. Induction heating assemblies, cooling mechanisms and a dynamic conveyance mechanism may be used in combination to heat and cool a mold containing the foam item as it is conveyed. The dynamic conveyance mechanism may have removable rollers that allow for chambers, such as the induction heating assemblies, to be placed into areas where removable rollers have been removed. As such, chambers may be placed into, taken out of, and moved around the dynamic conveyance mechanism. The flexibility of a dynamic conveyance mechanism allows for a curing process to be automated, adjusted, and customized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Conall Regan, Hyung Lim, DongWoo Lee, JaePil Kang, ChoulSoo Jeong
  • Patent number: 11154947
    Abstract: There is provided a laser processing system including: a robot; a laser emission section provided on the robot; an irradiation path calculation section configured to calculate an irradiation path of a laser beam emitted from the laser emission section using information on a position of the robot; a determination section configured to determine whether the irradiation path calculated passes through an allowable irradiation region that is predetermined; and a laser-output reduction section configured to reduce output of the laser beam to be emitted to the irradiation path to a second output lower than a first output for processing in accordance with a determination by the determination section that the irradiation path does not pass through the allowable irradiation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Matsudaira, Masatoshi Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 11130203
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to welding and, more specifically, to welding wires for arc welding, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) or Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW). In one embodiment, a tubular welding wire for joining steel workpieces via arc welding includes a steel sheath disposed around a core. The core includes iron powder, iron titanium powder, silico-manganese powder, iron silicon powder, iron sulfide, graphite, rare earth compound, and a frit. The frit includes a Group I or Group II compound, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide. The graphite and the frit together comprise less than 10% of the core by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HOBART BROTHERS LLC
    Inventors: Steven Edward Barhorst, Mario Anthony Amata
  • Patent number: 11116046
    Abstract: A heater includes a first ceramic substrate having a heating face on one main face thereof; a second ceramic substrate disposed so that one main face thereof covers the other main face of the first ceramic substrate; a heat generating resistor disposed on the one main face of the second ceramic substrate; and an adhesive layer which bonds the first ceramic substrate and the second ceramic substrate while covering the heat generating resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kuchimachi
  • Patent number: 11116048
    Abstract: A heating device, its use and a kit for making it are described. The device comprises an induction element, an induced element, and a first elemental dielectric element located between the inductive element and the induced element. The effect of a metal alloy containing a first metal or a mixture of metals in a proportion of 90% and 99.99% by weight to the total weight and to a second metal or a second mixture of metals in a percentage between 0.01% and 10% by weight to the total weight. The first metal is an amagnetic metal, for example diamagnetic or paramagnetic or antiferromagnetic metal, or the first mixture of metals is a magnetic and/or can be understood to include non-magnetic metals. The second metal is a ferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic metal, or the second mixture of metals exclusively including ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic metals. Alternatively, it is possible to use electrically conductive engineering plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: E-Wenco s.r.l.
    Inventor: Ennio Corrado
  • Patent number: 11103100
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine provided with a cappuccino maker includes a heater, a jug provided with a lid having a hole, and a pipe, operated by an actuator, which moves the pipe perpendicularly with respect to the jug so that, during operation of the heater, the pipe emits steam into the jug, at the same time locking the jug inside its seat. The pipe is operated with a mechanism sliding upwards and downwards inside guides and is provided with a flexible connection piece for connection to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Lucio Iacobucci
  • Patent number: 11103951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coolant supply device of a machining device to be supplied with a fluid coolant, particularly with water, for example a welding arrangement (2) or a welding robot etc., the region or tool to be cooled, for example a welding cap, being incorporated into an open or closed coolant circuit which has an inflow (4) and an outflow (5), and said device comprising a conveyor device that operates in the coolant circuit and conveys the coolant within said coolant circuit, and a control device (8) for deactivating said conveyor device and/or closing the inflow (4) and/or outflow (5) and evacuating said inflow (4) and/or outflow (5) such that, in the region of the tool being cooled, an at least negligible level of negative pressure prevails in the inflow line (9) and/or in the outflow line (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Christian Guenther
  • Patent number: 11103103
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having a cold brewed coffee system positioned within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance is provided. In one example aspect, the system includes a housing defining a water reservoir and a coffee reservoir. The water reservoir is in fluid communication with a water supply via an inlet supply conduit. An inlet valve is positioned along the inlet supply conduit and selectively allows water into the water reservoir. The water within the water reservoir drips into the coffee reservoir where the water mixes with coffee materials received therein. Cold brewed coffee is produced within the coffee reservoir and may slowly drip into a coffee container positioned or docked beneath the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Joseph Thomas
  • Patent number: 11090765
    Abstract: An example laser tool includes a laser head to output a laser beam and a robotic arm that is articulated and that is connected to the laser head. The robotic arm includes segments that are connected by flexible joints to enable movement of the laser head in six degrees of freedom. A control system is configured to control the robotic arm to direct output of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sameeh Issa Batarseh, Wisam Jamal Assiri, Haitham A. Othman