Patents Examined by Marc Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7234222
    Abstract: A method for configuring a gas distribution channel, the gas distribution channel being configured for introducing a plasma source gas into a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a metal conduit, providing a thermo-plastic tubular structure, and disposing the thermoplastic tubular structure within the metal conduit. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the thermo-plastic tubular structure, thereby causing the thermo-plastic tubular structure to mechanically couple with the metal conduit wherein an outer surface of the thermo-plastic tubular structure is longitudinally coupled with an inner surface of the metal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Fangli Hao, John Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7231717
    Abstract: A method of assembling of a door comprising the steps of providing a door inner panel having an outer face and an inner face, at least one functional component of the door, an anti intrusion beam and a door outer panel. The functional component is assembled onto and towards the outer face. The anti intrusion beam is assembled towards the outer face prior to assembling the door outer panel towards the outer face. Fixing means secure the door inner panel, the functional component, the anti intrusion beam and the door outer panel relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Georg Wurm, Daniel Drewniok, Harald Koellner, Klaus Dieter Strauss, Kenneth W. Schang, Arnd Herwig, Simon Blair Dobson, Rainer W. Grimm, Gregory Keyes, Patrick Hof
  • Patent number: 7229398
    Abstract: A circular-shaped metal structure is fabricated by plastic-working and has a wall thickness in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.09 mm both inclusive. A film composed of one of (a) silicon and fluorocarbon resin and (b) copper is coated on a surface of the circular-shaped metal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignees: Dymco Limited, K.K. Endo Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaru Sakuma, Youji Ito
  • Patent number: 7222406
    Abstract: Multi-layer seals are provided that find advantageous use for reducing leakage of gases between adjacent components of electrochemical devices. Multi-layer seals of the invention include a gasket body defining first and second opposing surfaces and a compliant interlayer positioned adjacent each of the first and second surfaces. Also provided are methods for making and using the multi-layer seals, and electrochemical devices including said seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yeong-Shyung Chou, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Jeffry W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7222424
    Abstract: A method for producing a tubular spring (12) in the form of a cylindrical hollow body, especially for pre-tensioning a piezoelectric actuator element (2) of an actuator unit (1) of a fuel injector comprises the step of providing a thin-walled, solid-drawn steel tube with a plurality of regularly arranged longish recesses (14) by means of laser cutting. Thus, an actuator unit (1) comprises a piezoelectric actuator element (2) which is arranged in a thin-walled cylindrical hollow body, wherein the hollow body being elastically embodied and pre-tensioning the actuator element (2). Furthermore, the hollow body is a solid-drawn steel tube which is provided with a plurality of longish recesses (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dejan Jovovic, Günter Lewentz, Andreas Voigt, Claus Zumstrull
  • Patent number: 7222423
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a finned heat sink included obtaining a fin core, wherein the fin core is constructed of a conductive structural graphite-epoxy material. A fin cover is secured to the fin core using one of heat and pressure to define a heat sink fin, wherein the fin cover is constructed of a foil material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Egidio Marotta, Prabjit Singh
  • Patent number: 7216427
    Abstract: A prehardened valve seat insert and a process for forming a prehardened valve seat insert for insertion into a cylinder head or an engine block of an internal combustion engine. The process comprises the steps of (a) forming the valve seat insert; (b) precision machining the valve seat insert to precise tolerances so that the valve seat insert can be installed in one of the cylinder head and the engine block without the need for additional seat machining; and (c) treating the valve seat insert to form a wear resistant surface layer prior to inserting the valve seat insert into one of the cylinder head and the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: L. E. Jones Company
    Inventors: Todd A. Trudeau, Daniel W. Bancroft, Cong Yue Qiao, Douglas W. Dooley
  • Patent number: 7213338
    Abstract: This invention provides a cooler having an excellent cooling performance, which is capable of being downsized and low-profiled, an electronic apparatus and a method for fabricating the cooler. The cooler (1) comprises lower board member (10) and upper complex board members. The lower board member (10) is made from plastic material and has a cavity portion (11) for allowing water or vapor to be circulated therein. The upper complex board members comprise board member (20) for a condenser part, upper board member (30), and board member (40) for a wick part. The board members (20) and (40) for the condenser part and the wick part, respectively, are made from metallic material having higher thermal conductivity such as copper and nickel. Each of the members has a groove for allowing them to be served as the condenser and the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Minehiro Tonosaki, Naoki Sano, Takuya Makino
  • Patent number: 7214172
    Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a cylindrical roll with respect to a trough in which the roll is disposed is disclosed, the apparatus comprising an end seal applied to the end surface of the cylindrical roll, a longitudinally extending seal applied to the barrel-shaped outer surface of the cylindrical roll, and a spring for dynamically urging the end seal against the end surface of the cylindrical roll and against the longitudinally extending seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jörgen Lundberg, Torbjörn Henriksson
  • Patent number: 7207111
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes with hard surfaces and resilient cutting edges by either an EDM or ECM process, wherein material is removed from the instrument blank in the desired flute pattern. The EDM or ECM process disintegrates the surface material, and as it cools, at least a portion of the removed material re-deposits onto the surface being machined to form a recast layer having a surface hardness that is at least about 15% greater than the hardness of the material forming the instrument blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos A. Aloise, Gary T. Garman
  • Patent number: 7207108
    Abstract: In a process for producing a turbine blade or vane, providing a casting mold for casting the turbine blade or vane, the casting mold including a blade or vane platform and a main blade or vane part, and a position of the main blade or vane part relative to the blade or vane platform determining a first angle of incidence; providing additional machining stock to the blade or vane platform at predetermined locations; machining the casting using a process which is specified for the first angle of incidence; rotating the casting around a longitudinal axis for an angle which is equal to the difference between said first angle of incidence and a second angle of incidence, and subjecting said rotated casting to said machining process to remove at least partially the additional machining stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Irmisch, Erhard Kreis, Christoph Nagler, Andre Schwind
  • Patent number: 7204019
    Abstract: A method for repairing defects in a gas turbine component that comprises a substrate and an existing coating on the substrate. The article includes cooling holes having a predetermined air flow requirement and an outer shaped portion and an inner metering portion. The method comprises removing the existing coating and recoating the surface of the article with a nonoriginal coating. After the nonoriginal coating is applied onto the component, the cooling holes that meet a predetermined inspection criteria are reworked to remove the excess nonoriginal coating deposited in the outer shaped portion of the cooling holes. The reworking is done by receiving an electrode, having only a shaped portion with a preselected shape, in the outer shaped portion of the cooling holes thus restoring the cooling holes to the predetermined air flow requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Howard S. Ducotey, Jr., Robert J. Zuber, Peter J. Draghi
  • Patent number: 7204006
    Abstract: A method for providing an end-stop for a slider on a resealable thermoplastic bag is provided. The resealable thermoplastic bag includes a profile track having a first side panel and a second side panel. A clip having first and second legs is made to straddle the profile track such that the first leg of the clip being proximate to the first side panel and the second leg of the clip being proximate to the second side panel. One of the legs has an inward-facing protrusion for engaging a corresponding recess on the panel proximate thereto, such that the clip resists vertical motion on the profile track. The other of the legs of the clip is sealed to the panel proximate thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Webster Industries Division Chelsea Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: F. John Herrington, Bryon Hollenbeck
  • Patent number: 7200923
    Abstract: There are provided left and right gripper devices for holding left and right tip side portions of a slide fastener chain, transferring the fastener chain in a longitudinal direction (an X-axis direction) and opening and closing the left and right tip side portions in a Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction based on a command sent from operation control means. There is provided an electric motor for controllably driving the left and right gripper devices in the X-Y axis direction based on a command sent from a numeric control section of the operation control means in the X-Y axis direction of the gripper devices. A slider can be automatically inserted by only a specified operation using a single device without preparing a special device for all types of fastener chains and sliders and requiring a time for a considerable reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumura, Tatsuo Ito, Yoshiyuki Toishi, Taishin Kameda
  • Patent number: 7201713
    Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. There may be a plug in place of one of the sealing elements, the plug being elastomeric and configured to make a compression fit with the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kryptane Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Lane, Wayne R. Willkomm, Thomas Peterson, Michael Adamson, Stephen Ulm
  • Patent number: 7197797
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle door hinge having a hinge axis, the method including providing a first hinge part having a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm, the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The method also includes bending a strip of material to form a second hinge part having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first section and the second end having a second section, the first section and the second section being parallel relative to one another. In addition, the method includes fixing the first section and the second section relative to one another, and disposing the bent section between the first and second arms about the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Edscha North America
    Inventors: Wojciech Janczak, Craig Spalding, Jonathan Smith
  • Patent number: 7197824
    Abstract: A two step system or stage is provided to manufacturer a bumper of “B” shape cross section including a roll forming-welding stage where a straight cross member of a length to mount on the front or rear of various models of automobiles and the bending stage where any curvature or sweep is introduced into the cross member as required by the design of the automobile. The roll forming welding stage include the spot or tack welding of the front wall to the web followed immediately by welding together without any gaps therebetween the abutting longitudinal edges utilizing a high frequency welder. Thus, the “B” shaped cross section of the bumper may be used to make different bumpers of various lengths and curvatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Trim Trends, Co., LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Graber
  • Patent number: 7194800
    Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device is positioned inside the drum. The device includes a hollow cylindrical wedge which cylindrically collapses a tube inwardly upon driving the wedge between the tube hole and outer tube wall. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its inner surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the tube hole such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the wedge engages the tube and the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Babcick & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke G. M. Gray
  • Patent number: 7194804
    Abstract: A reinforced hydroform member having an outer structural member reinforced by a structural foam supported by the outer structural member. The structural foam extends along at least a portion of the length of the outer structural member. The structural foam is a heat-activated epoxy-based resin. As the foam is heated, it expands and adheres to adjacent surfaces. The preferred structural foam material is commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. under the designation L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: L & L Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Czaplicki
  • Patent number: 7188416
    Abstract: A restoration process for restoring surface porosity defects in engine blocks cast using a high pressure die cast method. The areas of an engine block having surface porosity defects are identified and the areas not containing surface porosity defects are masked using an adhesive, reusable, rubberized mask. The masked surface is subsequently cleaned and a metal spray is applied to the surface porosity defects. The mask is removed and the restored surface porosity defects are hand finished to create an engine block having less than 0.05% surface porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas M. Woehlke, Raymond J. Donahue, Kevin R. Anderson