Patents Examined by R. K. Arundale
  • Patent number: 9987673
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing device for heat exchanger fins that is capable of adjusting for differences between a number of punches and a number of through-holes or cutaway portions in an actual product without causing a metal strip to sag or having punches punch the same positions twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HIDAKA SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanao Karasawa, Hirofumi Baba, Toshiyuki Nanaarashi
  • Patent number: 9987670
    Abstract: A method of reshaping a cylindrical pipe to a ground screw foundation for attaching an object to the ground includes a drawing unit and a working tool having a plurality of press roll disks or press roll disk segments. The press roll disks or press roll disk segments are disposed radially around a longitudinal axis of a holder for the cylindrical pipe, and pivotably around shafts extending at a fixed distance to the longitudinal axis transversely and tangentially relative to the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical pipe is inserted into a holder. The cylindrical pipe or the working tool with the drawing unit is drawn such that a relative movement between the pipe and the working tool is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Krinner Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Guenther Thurner
  • Patent number: 9981306
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an anvil having a first end and second end, and a press head reciprocally mounted relative to the anvil. The apparatus further includes an induction heater having a workpiece discharge end mounted adjacent the first end of the anvil, and a plurality of first station dies secured to the anvil. The first station dies each form at least a portion of a first contour. A plurality of second station dies are also secured to the anvil, the second station dies each defining at least a portion of a second contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas Santiago Ribeiro Ferianci, Darci Primon Araujo, Marco Antonio Candido, Joao Benedito Silva
  • Patent number: 9981305
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a body panel, the method includes drawing a metal sheet into a body panel, trimming a first and second portion of the body panel to form a first and second opening and a cross member. The cross member extends between the first and second openings. The method further includes trimming a portion of the cross member to form a first and a second retention tab and forming a flange in the edge of the first opening, the edge of the second opening and the first and second retention tabs. The method further includes trimming the first and second retention tabs at the edge of the first and second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ritesh Dixit, Yi-Chun Li
  • Patent number: 9975162
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ludlow, David McCracken
  • Patent number: 9968985
    Abstract: A bead ring winding device forms a bead ring by winding a wire fed to the circumference of a former, which is coupled to, in a removable manner, and supported by a rotation shaft. The bead ring winding device includes a guide and a driving member. The guide guides a bearing so that the bearing can be lifted and lowered. The bearing supports the rotation shaft. The driving member lifts and lowers the bearing along the guide. When the former is replaced with another former of a different diameter, the bearing is lifted or lowered with the driving member so that the upper end of the former is arranged at a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd, Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Shigeaki Nomura
  • Patent number: 9962750
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming a pipe carcass. In one embodiment, a first series of forming rollers are configured for forming a primary carcass strip material. A second series of forming rollers are configured for forming a second strip material into a shape different than the primary carcass strip material. The primary carcass strip material and the second strip material, after being fed through the first and second series of rollers, respectively, are each fed concurrently into a plurality of winding rolls for assembly with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BARTELL MACHINERY SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Walter Frederick Thompson, Paul David Gatley, Kenneth Brian Turvey
  • Patent number: 9962755
    Abstract: A flaring tool is provided for flaring an end of a pipe or tube. The tool includes a locking mechanism having a collar and a collet with two or more collet pieces that engage the collar prior to and during a flaring operation. The collet can receive a pipe or tube when the collet is in an expanded or open position. The collet pieces have external flanges for engaging the collar during clamping and unclamping of the tube, each flange having first and second flange portions that sequentially engage an inner surface of the collar, the first flange portion guiding insertion of the collet into the collar and the second flange portion causing the collet pieces to clamp onto the tube. A flaring mechanism moves a flaring mandrel towards the end of the tube when the collet is clamped, whereby the mandrel engages and flares the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: AGS COMPANY AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Hasenberg, Logan D. Pitts
  • Patent number: 9962894
    Abstract: A disclosed press 100 may flatten halved bamboo stalks or other workpieces without loss of volume or splintering. In a first mechanical movement executed by a pushrod drive train 300, a plurality of spreader bar assemblies 370 press upon the centerline of a workpiece such that the workpiece does not move off of a work surface but is yet not over crushed. Each spreader bar assembly may comprise two spreader bars 350 hingedly attached to a pushrod 345. The lower end of the pushrod and proximal ends 363 of the spreader bars pin down the workpiece. In a second mechanical movement executed by a crusher bar drive train 400, the distal ends of the spreader bars are moved outwardly and spread apart the curved walls of the workpiece. In the last phases of a second movement, planar track plates 440 press downwardly upon the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bamcore LLC
    Inventor: William D McDonald
  • Patent number: 9958879
    Abstract: A gas pressure regulator (10) is disclosed, comprising a body (12) fitted with a gas inlet stem (14), at a first end of the body (10), for receiving gas from a gas source at a first pressure, and a gas outlet stem or adaptor (16) at a second end of the body (10), for supplying gas at a desired pressure at the gas outlet stem (16). A pressure adjusting mechanism (18) is provided to enable a user to adjust and set the desired pressure, the pressure adjusting mechanism (18) comprising a movable piston arrangement (20). The gas pressure regulator (10) further comprises gas regulating means (22), to regulate gas flowing out of the gas outlet stem (16) to achieve the desired pressure set by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: African Oxygen Limited
    Inventors: Roberto Maria Marcello Dionisio, Radoslav Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 9950355
    Abstract: Method of forming a component of complex shape from an Al-alloy sheet or a Mg-alloy sheet. The method includes the steps of: a) heating the sheet to a temperature below the solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature for the alloy; b) forming the heated sheet between heated dies into or towards the complex shape; c) heating the sheet to at least its SHT temperature and substantially maintaining that temperature until SHT has been completed; and d) quenching the solution heat treated sheet between cold dies and at the same time completing the forming into the complex shape or maintaining that shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Jianguo Lin, Daniel Balint, Lilang Wang, Trevor Anthony Dean, Alistair David Foster
  • Patent number: 9950488
    Abstract: A space-saving in-flight trash compactor, comprising a trash chute, a compactor mechanism disposed above a level of the trash chute, and a storage chamber removably positioned below the compactor mechanism and below a level of the trash chute. The storage chamber is vertically aligned with the compactor mechanism. The trash chute is configured to channel trash disposed through an opening of the trash chute at a level of a counter top and above a level of a top of the storage chamber into an opening of the storage chamber at the top of the storage chamber. The opening of the trash chute may be horizontally offset from the vertical alignment of the storage chamber and compactor mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Fritz, Mark P. Rezner, Michael T. Zimmerman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9943898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot-forming and press hardening tool for producing formed sheet metal parts with at least partially high-strength properties, having a top tool with at least one die segment and a bottom tool with at least one die segment, wherein the top tool and the bottom tool are movable toward each other in a press stroke direction while forming a die cavity, wherein tempering channels are arranged in at least one die segment to feed a cooling medium, wherein the die segment of the top tool and/or the die segment of the bottom tool is split into at least two parts with a spreader device coupled to the top tool and/or the bottom tool and is movable in at least one direction of motion transverse to the press stroke direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Kettler, Oliver Dobinsky
  • Patent number: 9943900
    Abstract: A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technolongies, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey Fedorovich Golovashchenko
  • Patent number: 9939073
    Abstract: A vent apparatus is described for providing filtered air intake and rollover protection for a fuel tank. The apparatus may include a housing configured to be coupled with the fuel tank, the housing including at least one air intake port and at least one air exhaust port. The apparatus may include an air intake filter disposed within the housing and configured to receive and filter air from the at least one air intake port. The apparatus may include a rollover protection valve disposed adjacent to the housing and configured to be located inside the fuel tank when the housing is coupled with the fuel tank, the rollover protection valve coupled with the at least one air exhaust port. The rollover protection valve may include a chamber and a plug configured to impede the flow of fuel from the fuel tank into the at least one air exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: FlowTech Fueling, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Workman
  • Patent number: 9931685
    Abstract: The machine includes: a bending head movable with at least two degrees of freedom in a transverse vertical plane; a first drive is arranged to move the bending head in the plane and to move a tool of the bending head between an open position, in which it defines with a die of the bending head a free space adapted to receive a tube to be bent, and a closed position, in which it clamps the tube against the die. A tube-carrying structure is rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane; a second drive is arranged to cause the tube-carrying structure to rotate about its own axis of rotation; and an electronic control unit is arranged to control the first and second drives so as to move the bending head and the tube-carrying structure in a position such that the tube is received with a desired orientation in the free space between the die and the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BLM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Broggi, Paolo Bramati, Cesare Moscatelli
  • Patent number: 9933115
    Abstract: A flow control valve includes a housing defining a cavity therein. The housing has an input port for receiving a gas from a gas supply, and an output port for delivering the gas to a gas cylinder. The cavity defines a staging area fluidly connected to the input port, a delivery area fluidly connected to the output port, and a pressurization area fluidly connected to a feedback sensing port. The feedback sensing port is configured to receive pressurized fluid that is pressurized to a pressure level representative of a pressure level of gas delivered to the gas cylinder. The flow control valve includes a piston slidably positioned in a channel extending between the pressurization area and the delivery area. The position of the piston changes a rate of flow of gas through the flow control valve. The piston position moves in response to a pressure at the feedback sensing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon E. Rado, Jay P. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9933793
    Abstract: An air pressure regulator includes an air input stage, an air output stage, and a transfer stage. The air input stage, air output stage, and transfer stage arranged substantially in-line, end to end along a longitudinal axis. The air input stage is attached to the transfer stage with first fasteners that simultaneously engage with the transfer stage and pressure fit a first pressure step-down piston against an input stage backpressure assembly, and the air output stage is attached to the transfer stage with second fasteners that simultaneously engage with the transfer stage and pressure fit the second pressure step-down piston against an output stage backpressure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Brock Rescue Equipment and Training, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Eusterbrock
  • Patent number: 9925580
    Abstract: A motorized crimping mechanism to impart substantially 90 degree crimps to adjacent roof and/or wall panel seams of a fabricated edifice is provided. Such a crimping device allows for substantially uniform seaming along the target contact line of two adjacent panels with substantially similar pressures and torque applied thereto at the selected locations of crimp application. The motorized device itself includes a rotary drive shaft to apply sufficient pressures for 90 degree crimps in two adjacent metal panels, as well as an optional guide to ensure proper placement and direction along the entire contact line between such panels. The invention thus encompasses the device as well as the method of using such a motorized crimper for connecting standing seams of adjacent side edges of two building panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Developmental Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Rider
  • Patent number: 9920847
    Abstract: Apparatus to interface with a corrugated profile are disclosed. An example apparatus for use with a fluid regulator includes an elastomeric ring having a corrugated profile that corresponds to a corrugated profile of a diaphragm of the fluid regulator. The elastomeric ring is to be positioned between a valve body and a bonnet of the fluid regulator to clamp the diaphragm between the valve body and the bonnet. The example apparatus includes a metallic ring positioned between the valve body and the bonnet to contact the elastomeric ring to support the elastomeric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ernesto Vasquez, James Lyman Griffin, Jr., Andrew Jared Lukensmeyer, Tony Alan Durant, Kunrong Matthews