Patents Examined by Matthew Hoover
  • Patent number: 11721562
    Abstract: A substrate bonding apparatus for bonding a first substrate to a second substrate includes a first bonding chuck configured to fix the first substrate to a first surface of the first bonding chuck; a second bonding chuck configured to fix the second substrate to a second surface of the second bonding chuck, the second surface facing the first surface; a process gas injector surrounding at least one selected from the first bonding chuck and the second bonding chuck in a plan view, the process gas injector configured to inject a process gas between the first substrate and the second substrate when respectively disposed on the first bonding chuck and the second bonding chuck; and an air curtain generator disposed at an outside of the process gas injector in the plan view, the air curtain generator configured to inject an air curtain forming gas to form an air curtain surrounding the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyungjun Jeon, Taeyeong Kim, Hoechul Kim, Junhong Min
  • Patent number: 11718047
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating composite parts. One embodiment is a method for fabricating a composite part. The method includes forming a skin panel preform comprising fiber reinforced material, disposing rigid end caps at the skin panel preform at end locations of stringer preforms that will be placed at the skin panel, locating the stringer preforms at the skin panel preform via the rigid end caps, and anchoring the stringer preforms to the skin panel preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mary LeAnn Parker, Khanh Mai Pham, Lisa Christina Carlson, Garrett Charles Hanson
  • Patent number: 11718051
    Abstract: A heat blanket system including a blanket including a first sub-area and a second sub-area. The heat blanket system also includes heating elements printed on the blanket. First spacings between first ones of the heating elements in the first sub-area varies relative to second spacings between second ones of the heating elements in the second sub-area. The first spacings and the second spacings vary according to a design. The design is configured for use on a uniquely defined rework area on a uniquely defined composite material object including a third area including a heat sink region and a fourth area including a non-heat sink region. The first sub-area is sized and dimensioned to be placed over the third area. The second sub-area is sized and dimensioned to be placed over the fourth area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John F. Spalding, Jeffrey Lynn Duce
  • Patent number: 11707896
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for supporting of variety of different pre-cured composite stringers after forming and prior to curing. A post-forming processing device comprises a base with a channel for receiving hat portions of different stringers. The device also comprises a support structure, at least partially extending within the channel. The support structure is configured to conform to different hat portions and to retain the shape of these hat portions. For example, the support structure is made from a flexible material, which conforms to any shape variations. In some examples, the support structure is made from a jamming material that is reshaped together with each of the pre-cured composite stringers. A post-forming processing device is used for supporting different pre-cured composite stringers while various operations are performed on these stringers, such as stringer trimming, inspection, installation of bladders and noodles, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Samuel J. Knutson, James R. Kendall, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi
  • Patent number: 11708143
    Abstract: A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 11691357
    Abstract: A method for forming a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic control surface includes forming first and second skins from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin. The method further includes overmolding fiber-reinforced thermoplastic features onto the first skin and/or second skin, including stiffener structures, sidewalls, and/or hinges. The method further comprises welding or consolidating the first and second skins together, along with the associated internal features overmolded thereon to form a single-piece, stiffened, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Samantha Landis, Guinevere Berg, Andrew Cai, Johann Steven Schrell
  • Patent number: 11685082
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Richard E. Heath, Andrew E. Modin, Byron James Autry, Ivan Gilberto Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11660833
    Abstract: A duplex liner for a label. A method for making a label comprises providing a printable face ply. The method comprises making a duplex liner by: (a) providing a transparent first liner ply; (b) providing a second liner ply that is configured to be printable; and (c) using a binder to bind the first liner ply to the second liner ply. The method includes releasably securing the duplex liner to the printable face ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Rekon, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse D. Crum
  • Patent number: 11660963
    Abstract: Embodiments of a curved vehicle display including a display module having a display surface, a curved glass substrate disposed on the display surface having a first major surface, a second major surface having a second surface area, and a thickness in a range from 0.05 mm to 2 mm, wherein the second major surface comprises a first radius of curvature of 200 mm or greater, wherein, when the display module emits a light, the light transmitted through the glass substrate has a substantially uniform color along 75% or more of the second surface area, when viewed at a viewing angle at a distance of 0.5 meters from the second surface. Methods of forming a curved vehicle display are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Benjamin, Jordon Thomas Boggs, Atul Kumar, Cheng-Chung Li, Yawei Sun
  • Patent number: 11660907
    Abstract: According to a processing method of a stone composite board, the two sides of a natural stone board are ground and flattened until a preset standard value of thickness variation is reached, then the surface planes and base material layers are subjected to pressure-compositing through adhesive layers, afterwards splitting is conducted, and the natural stone layer is subjected to calibrated planing with diamond roller and surface treatment to obtain the ultra-thin stone composite board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GUIZHOU ESTONDARD CO., LTD
    Inventor: Zuoxiang Li
  • Patent number: 11643848
    Abstract: An aircraft panel system including a first panel, having a hinged coupling configured to couple the first panel to an aircraft structure, a second panel disposed adjacent to the first panel such that the first panel and the second panel together form cabin surface of an aircraft, and a latch mechanism configured to releasably couple the second panel to the aircraft structure, where the first panel is configured to pivot about the hinged coupling from a latched position to an actuation position to actuate the latch mechanism and cause a release of the second panel from the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joe Files, Adam A. Logue
  • Patent number: 11646127
    Abstract: A fibrillated liquid crystal polymer powder containing fibrillated liquid crystal polymer particles. A paste containing a dispersion medium and the fibrillated liquid crystal polymer powder. A method of producing the fibrillated liquid crystal polymer powder. A resin multilayer substrate obtained by laminating a plurality of resin sheets including at least one layer of a liquid crystal polymer sheet. On a surface of at least one layer of the liquid crystal polymer sheet, a thickness adjustment layer made of a fibrillated liquid crystal polymer powder containing fibrillated liquid crystal polymer particles is provided in a region insufficient in thickness when at least the plurality of resin sheets are laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ohata
  • Patent number: 11635110
    Abstract: A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between parts of a transmission shaft system comprises a tubular section of continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material which has been modified to form a living hinge section with reduced bending stiffness to allow flexion of the tubular section. The tubular section may be modified through the provision of a pattern of formations within the living hinge section. The formations may be in the form of apertures and/or recesses in the continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material to create a plurality of living hinges in the material between, in particular slots and/or grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: CROMPTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Will Pollitt
  • Patent number: 11629547
    Abstract: At least two profiled parts (1) are fixed to profile supports (2) that can be moved relative to each other. The profiled parts (1) are each partially melted at an end joining face (10) with a heating element (5) in a melting step and, after the heating element (5) has been removed, the partially melted joining faces (10) of the profiled parts are pressed against each other in a joining step, until the molten materials brought into contact with each other there cool down and solidify, forming a welded connection. To avoid or reduce occurrence or development of a welding bead, in a separating step that is carried out before the joining step, a mating tool (6, 29) is guided through the melt along the separating edge (9) of the limiting element (3), in order to separate the excess melt (7) that has escaped over the separating edge (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rotox Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Winfried Daun
  • Patent number: 11624015
    Abstract: A fiber body forming method includes a step of applying, to a fiber body containing fibers, a liquid containing a thermoplastic resin which binds the fibers; and a step of heating the fiber body to which the liquid is applied, and in this method, the thermoplastic resin has a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less, and the thermoplastic resin in the liquid has an average particle diameter of 30 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shigemi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11618247
    Abstract: Provided is a thermally conductive sheet having high thermal conductivity not only in a thickness direction of the sheet but also in one direction along a plane direction of the sheet. The thermally conductive sheet is a thermally conductive sheet containing a scaly filler 12 in a polymer matrix 11, wherein the scaly filler 12 is oriented such that a long axis direction of a scale surface is along one of a first direction that is a thickness direction of the thermally conductive sheet and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and a transverse axis direction that is perpendicular to the long axis direction in the scale surface is along the other of the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kudoh, Miho Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11613468
    Abstract: Techniques are described for transferring nanofiber forests using transfer films that either lack a conventional adhesive at the substrate-nanofiber forest interface or that include a diffusion barrier that prevents diffusion of adhesive molecules (or other polymer molecules mobile at ambient temperatures) into the nanofiber forest. These techniques can be applied to single layer nanofiber forests or stacks of multiple nanofiber forest. By selecting the bond strength between the nanofiber forest and the transfer films, the nanofibers can be aligned in a common direction that includes, but is not limited to, perpendicular to a substrate or transfer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: LINTEC OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Chi Huynh
  • Patent number: 11611087
    Abstract: In a method of producing a resin frame member for a fuel cell, a processing die is used. The method includes a processing step of moving an upper die toward a lower die to thereby form an inclined surface on each of side parts of a resin film. In the processing step, shearing is performed while maintaining a predetermined clearance between the lower processing section and the upper processing section and in a state where each of the side parts is at least partially positioned at a cutout so that each of the side parts is inclined downward toward the inside. The cutout is formed by cutting off an edge part of a placement surface that is positioned on the lower processing section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Takano, Yusuke Wada, Kento Kusatsugu
  • Patent number: 11607348
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11597182
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a film for bonding including an embossed surface, wherein the embossed surface has a Sku value of 5 or less, wherein the embossed surface has Sk, Spk, and Svk values, and when a total sum of the Sk value, the Spk value, and the Svk value is 100%, a sum of the Sk value and the Spk value is 50% or more, wherein the embossed surface has a Sz value of 30 to 90 ?m, and wherein the film includes a polyvinyl acetal resin and a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SKC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyejin Kim, Jaechul Han