Patents Examined by Michael N Orlando
  • Patent number: 11613085
    Abstract: A temperature sensing system for a resistive welding process for a tube performs repeatable temperature measurement using a camera to detect multiple distinct visible light wavelengths even as the ambient environment in the view path changes. Sensed colors in a field of view in the vicinity of a weld are output to a computing element that calculates a corresponding temperature and alerts an operator when the sensed color exceeds a preset color range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Kevin Davis
  • Patent number: 11613106
    Abstract: A process comprises cold-forming a flat glass substrate into a non-planar shape using a die. The cold-formed glass substrate is bonded to a non-planar rigid support structure at a plurality of non-planar points using the die. Bonding methods include injection molding the non-planar rigid support structure, and direct bonding. An article is also provided, comprising a cold-formed glass substrate having opposing major surfaces and a curved shape, the opposing major surfaces comprising a surface stress that differ from one another. The cold-formed glass substrate is attached to a rigid support structure having the curved shape. The cold-formed glass substrate includes an open region not in direct contact with the non-planar rigid support structure, and the open region has a curved shape maintained by the non-planar rigid support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Yawei Sun
  • Patent number: 11613395
    Abstract: A baggage labeling system is disclosed. The baggage labeling system includes a baggage labeling module. The baggage labeling module includes a housing, a workstation interface, a controller communicatively coupled to the workstation interface. a baggage sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, a conveyor system communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to move a baggage item. The baggage labeling module includes a printing assembly communicatively coupled to the controller. The printing assembly includes a printer head configured to print a label directly onto the baggage item and a positioning arm mechanically coupled to the printer head configured to rotate the positioning arm relative to at least one plane, or translate the positioning arm relative to a first axis. The baggage labeling system further includes a workstation communicatively coupled to the baggage labeling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanith Kurumpilavu Subramanian, Chandana Rao
  • Patent number: 11602928
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive suspension includes applying an adhesive to an actuator mounting portion, increasing viscosity of the adhesive by emitting light to the adhesive applied to the actuator mounting portion, arranging the piezoelectric element on the adhesive having the increased viscosity, detecting a height of the piezoelectric element arranged on the actuator mounting portion, and correcting an irradiation condition of the light in accordance with the detected height of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 11596200
    Abstract: An article may include a first polymeric material layer having a surface. A first conductive trace may form at least a portion of the first layer surface. The article may further include a second polymeric material layer. The second layer may have a first surface, a portion of the second layer first surface being bonded to a portion of the first layer surface. The second layer may have a portion of a channel defined therein, the channel at least partially coinciding with a portion of the first conductive trace. The article may also include a first patch interposed between the first layer surface and the second layer first surface. The first patch may span the channel and cover a portion of the first conductive trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Chin-yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 11597548
    Abstract: A binding machine, includes a staple guide portion adjacent to a staple in a staple accommodating portion. A staple driver moves from below to above and pushes the staple located at the front end portion upward while pushing the crown portion of the staple. A clincher abuts against the pair of leg portions of the staple pushed out in a process of the staple driver moving upward from below so as to fold the pair of leg portions. The staple guide supports the crown portion of the staple from a side near a base end portion of the crown portion in a process of the staple being pushed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Taguchi, Hiroki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 11592136
    Abstract: A device for applying a layer of material within a thin-walled pressure vessel may include one or more maneuvering actuators configured to direct the device within the thin-walled pressure vessel, an applicator operatively coupled to the one or more maneuvering actuators, and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more maneuvering actuators and the applicator, the controller is configured to control the one or more maneuvering actuators and the applicator. The applicator may include an expander configured to apply pressure along a portion of an inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel, a receptacle configured to secure the material to the device and position the material along the inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel, and a bonder configured to bond the material along the inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Orbital Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Cole Nielsen-Cole
  • Patent number: 11584559
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label to a spool or reel containing wire and a wire tail extending from the spool or reel, the apparatus comprising a wire tail sensor, wherein the wire tail sensor identifies the location of the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel and a label application mechanism, wherein the labeling mechanism applies a label to the spool or reel and wherein the label does not contact the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., Clifton S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11577875
    Abstract: A portable hybrid hand labeler is disclosed that relies on mechanical motion, which eliminates the need for motors and the corresponding energy required to run the motors. The portable hybrid hand labeler also houses an ink jet head and a digital print mechanism, which offers the user infinite print flexibility via downloadable print bands. The portable hybrid hand labeler is preferably battery driven, and comprises a unique drive system and mechanism to harvest the kinetic energy from the trigger pull and a display panel with a solar panel to collect solar energy to trickle charge the battery pack, thereby increasing usage time between charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeanne Duckett, Frederick Pou, Timothy Brown, Jesus Romo, Jr., Mark Morrow, Txus Carrion, Dee Sawyer, John Mistyurik, Leah Burch, John Gallant, Kartavyakumar Patel
  • Patent number: 11577473
    Abstract: A method for producing a plastic tank having one or more reinforcements. The method includes forming at least one part of the tank wall with a semi-finished panel made of plastic having at least one outer layer composed of a first thermoplastic, forming a reinforcement for the tank wall with at least one fibre-reinforced structural component comprising a matrix composed of a second thermoplastic that is weldable to the first thermoplastic. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then applied to a predefined region of the at least one outer layer of the semi-finished panel. The fibre-reinforced structural component is then fused with the outer layer of the semi-finished panel by applying heat to the semi-finished panel and the applied fibre-reinforced structural component. The fused fibre-reinforced structural component and semi-finished panel is then formed into a final shape. Optionally, the formed component is then connected to at least one other part of the tank wall to form the complete tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA Energy Storage Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Puchleitner, Peter Gutmann
  • Patent number: 11577476
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Brice A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11572215
    Abstract: Labelling machine for labelling containers, having at least one docking station for a labelling apparatus and a machine control system, wherein the docking station comprises at least one network access for establishing a network connection between the machine control system and a docked labelling apparatus, wherein the network connection is designed to transmit security-relevant data and/or time-critical data, and wherein the network access is connected to a manageable Ethernet network switch of the machine control system with a DHCP server, wherein the DHCP server is adapted to assign a preset IP address determined by the DHCP server to a labelling apparatus connected to the network access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Norbert Heimann
  • Patent number: 11565504
    Abstract: A method for connecting lamination parts to form a lamination stack in which lamination parts are stamped out from an electrical strip that is coated with an activatable adhesive layer on at least one of its flat sides and the stamped-out lamination parts are stacked and glued to form lamination stacks, wherein before the lamination parts are stamped out, the electrical strip is embossed in a first sub-region, which produces multiple protruding spacers on at least one flat side of the electrical strip, which spacers, after a first lamination part is stamped out from this first sub-region, facilitate a detachment of the stacked and glued lamination parts into lamination stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Voestalpine Automotive Components Dettingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Lanksweirt, Axel Nann
  • Patent number: 11565481
    Abstract: A method of forming a component includes additively manufacturing a first subcomponent, the first subcomponent including a first polymer material with a first porosity. The method further includes mating the first subcomponent with a second subcomponent and ultrasonically welding the first subcomponent to the second subcomponent at a weld frequency. The first porosity can be 5% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Ricardo O. Brown
  • Patent number: 11565483
    Abstract: A method for contour forming in a fiber placement system. The method includes painting multiple sliced layers on a stationary form to create a composite component. The sliced layers include multiple hoop tows. One or more overlap splices are formed in each of the hoop tows. The method includes applying a layup heat to multiple target areas on the sliced layers during the painting. The target areas are spatially arranged to permit a slippage in the splices. The method further includes draping the composite component on a curved tool with the hoop tows oriented perpendicular to an axis of curvature of the curved tool, and applying a curing heat to the composite component after the composite component has been contoured by the curved tool. The curing heat inhibits a further slippage in the overlap splices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James R. Kendall, Stephen J. Dostert
  • Patent number: 11559957
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reactivating a co-cured film layer disposed on a composite structure, the method comprising applying a reactivation treatment composition comprising at least two solvents and a surface exchange agent comprising a metal alkoxide or chelate thereof to the co-cured film layer, and allowing the reactivation treatment composition to create a reactivated co-cured film layer, wherein the co-cured film layer was previously cured at a curing temperature greater than about 50° C. A reactivated co-cured film layer and an aircraft part having a reactivated co-cured film layer are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark R. Brei, Kevin D. Gordon, Christopher Garnier
  • Patent number: 11560248
    Abstract: A binding machine that binds objects with a tape, the binding machine includes a staple magazine unit configured to accommodate a plurality of staples, a main handle, a clincher arm configured to approach a leading staple of the plurality of staples and a clincher configured to bend the leading staple. The clincher has, on a surface thereof, a first groove that extends in an acute angle direction with respect to an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the clincher arm and has a first groove length and a first groove width, and a second groove that extends in an acute angle direction with respect to the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the clincher arm and has a second groove length and a second groove width. The second groove is disposed offset with respect to the first groove in a width direction of the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11554556
    Abstract: A method to design the kits and layup the reinforcement layers and core using projection system, comprising a mold having a contoured surface; a layup projection generator which: defines a plurality of mold sections; identifies the dimensions and location for a plurality of layup segments. A model-based calibration method for alignment of laser projection system is provided in which mold features are drawn digitally, incorporated into the plug(s) which form the wind turbine blade mold, and transferred into the mold. The mold also includes reflective targets which are keyed to the molded geometry wherein their position is calculated from the 3D model. This method ensures the precision level required from projection system to effectively assist with fabrication of wind turbine blades. In this method, digital location of reflectors is utilized to compensate for the mold deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TPI Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Amirhossein Salimi, Scott Larson
  • Patent number: 11548234
    Abstract: A method of fastening at least one second object to at least one first object, wherein mechanical vibration acts from a sonotrode on the second object to fasten the second object to the first object. Between the sonotrode and the second object, an auxiliary sheet is placed, for example of paper. After the vibration stops, the auxiliary sheet is displaced relative to the sonotrode for a next fastening step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Martin Rhême
  • Patent number: 11548233
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: IKEA SUPPLY AG, WOODWELDING SA
    Inventors: Muthumariappan Sankaran, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani