Patents Examined by Teresa M Ekiert
  • Welded pipe manufacturing apparatus and welded pipe manufacturing method
    Patent number: 11305323
    Abstract: To manufacture a high-quality welded pipe, there is provided a welded pipe manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a welded pipe by bending a metal plate and welding butting end portions of the metal plate. The welded pipe manufacturing apparatus includes a bending unit that bends the metal plate, a light emitter that emits directional light to an inner surface of the metal plate bent by the bending unit, an image capturing unit that captures light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by a surface of the metal plate, and an adjustment assistance unit that assists adjustment of the bending unit in accordance with a shape of the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NAKATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jilong Yin, Tomoyasu Nakano, Feizhou Wang, Takeyuki Sato
  • Can compression equipment
    Patent number: 11298904
    Abstract: A can compression equipment is provided and belong to the field of recycling of renewable resources and environmental protection. The can compression equipment includes: a frame; a pressing block arranged at an end of an interior of the frame, an accommodating space being defined between the pressing block and a bottom of the frame and configured for accommodating the can to-be-compressed; and, a driving device connected to the pressing block and configured for driving the pressing block to move forward or backward along a lengthwise direction of the frame to change a size of the accommodating space. Instead of using manpower to compress the can, the can compression equipment can save time and manpower, and further effectively reduce a volume of the can as small as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO AT-TECHNICAL INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Xinhui Jiang, Xinguo Fan
  • Device for continuously pressing liquid out of a suspension
    Patent number: 11298903
    Abstract: A device is described for continuously pressing liquid out of a suspension, in particular a screw press, which may have a rotationally-driven rotor, which may rotate in a tubular screw housing and support a conveyor screw. The screw housing may be at least partially formed as a first filter jacket, which may at least partially interact with the conveyor screw and which may have radial passages for discharging the filtered liquid and which may supply a filter cake, made of retained solids, in the conveyance direction of the conveyor screw to a discharge. To provide advantageous filter conditions, a ring-shaped first sleeve, which coaxially encloses the rotor, for peeling off an outer filter cake layer from the filter cake may be associated with the rotor, downstream from the conveyor screw. A conveyance channel for the remaining inner filter cake layer may be provided between sleeve and rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Franz Derflinger, Sr., Franz Derflinger, Jr.
  • Transport device for transporting coin blanks and method for producing a coin
    Patent number: 11292286
    Abstract: A transport device and a method for producing a coin with use of the transport device. The transport device is used to transport blanks to a minting station. A drivable first transport part having a plurality of first transport pockets is provided. A first clearance exists between the outer contour of the blank and the inner contour of the first transport pocket. The transport device has a second transport part having a plurality of second transport pockets. A second clearance is provided between the outer contour of the blank and the inner contour of the second transport pocket. The second clearance is larger than the first clearance. The blanks are transferred at a transfer location from a particular first transport pocket into a second transport pocket. The blanks are transported in the second transport pocket to the minting station, and a coin is minted there from the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Brechling, Wolfgang Hoyler, Simon Kneer, Horst Jaeschke
  • Electrohydraulic forming method and associated device
    Patent number: 11278948
    Abstract: A method for electrohydraulically forming a blank of material includes—a blank of material to be deformed is placed between a mould and a blank holder, —a cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid to a predetermined liquid level, —the blank of material is placed in contact with the liquid in the cavity, —a first electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould, —the mould is brought nearer to the electrodes by moving the mould so as to reduce the distance between the electrodes and the blank of material to be deformed after the first electric discharge has been generated, —at least one other electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ADM28 S.ÀR.L
    Inventors: Gilles Avrillaud, Julien Fuzeau
  • Mandrel, bent tube, and method and apparatus for producing bent tube
    Patent number: 11278947
    Abstract: A mandrel 10 for producing a thin-walled bent tube having a bending portion with high strength and a small radius of curvature by rotary draw bending without either cracks in an outside of bend or winkles and buckling in an inside of bend occurring includes a shank 14, a connection mechanism 15 and a mandrel ball 16. In a cross-section orthogonal to an axial direction of the mandrel ball 16 at a central position in the axial direction of the mandrel ball 16, the mandrel ball 16 has a first position 19 and a second position 20 at which a first straight line m that passes through a mandrel ball center 17 meets an outer periphery 21 of the mandrel ball. Further, a ratio (L1/L2) between a dimension L1 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the first position 19 and a dimension L2 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the second position 20 is in a range of 0.915 to 0.976.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Tamura, Hidehiro Arita
  • Sheet metal rolling machine for forming complex shapes
    Patent number: 11267026
    Abstract: First drive roller and second drive roller are coplanar and adjustable about an axis to increase or decrease the distance between the same to accommodate varying thicknesses in material. A first shaping roller and a second shaping roller that are also coplanar are provided with ends tiltable on an axis with respect to each other. While the first drive roller and the second drive roller remain parallel with respect to each other, the first shaping roller and the second shaping roller are not constrained in a parallel orientation, but rather can tilt with respect to each other to form sheet metal with complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: METAL DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: David A. Sauerwein
  • Backgauge for a bending machine and method for positioning a backgauge of this kind
    Patent number: 11267030
    Abstract: A back gauge for a back gauge positioning system of a bending machine includes a stop finger on which at least one stop surface is configured, and a base unit that is configured for coupling with the back gauge positioning system. The stop finger is coupled with the base unit by a linear guide, and the stop finger can be displaced relative to the base unit between a pushed-forward working position and a retracted position. The stop finger and the base unit are coupled with a first spring element, by which the stop finger is pre-loaded into its working position, and a locking device is configured, by which the stop finger can optionally be locked in the working position or is released into its retracted position for displacement counter to the spring force of the first spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Angerer, Klemens Freudenthaler, Florian Hausmann, Matthias Hoerl, Nenad Kovjenic, Florian Maier, Verena Steininger, Helmut Theis, Manfred Waldherr
  • Workpiece processing machine and method for operating the workpiece processing machine
    Patent number: 11267037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece processing machine (1), and to a method for operation of a workpiece processing machine (1). The workpiece processing machine (1) comprises an automatically adjustable stop finger (17), and has, for monitoring adjustment movements of the stop finger (17), a monitoring device (36, 37, 38) that comprises an illuminating device (36) and at least one optical detection device (37). In operation of the workpiece processing machine (1), during an automatically controlled adjustment movement of the stop finger (17), a light beam (38) is radiated into an area ahead of the stop finger (17) in the adjustment direction. Upon detection of a first light image (43) projected onto an object surface (42) by the first light beam (38), a safety measure is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Angerer, Klemens Freudenthaler, Florian Hausmann, Matthias Hoerl, Nenad Kovjenic, Florian Maier, Verena Steininger, Helmut Theis, Manfred Waldherr
  • Wire rod rolling roller and gap adjustment device thereof
    Patent number: 11260438
    Abstract: A wire rod rolling roller is disclosed. In one aspect, the wire rod rolling roller includes upper and lower rollers spaced apart from each other and configured to roll a wire rod passing therebetween and upper and lower drive shafts fixedly extending through the centers of the upper and lower rollers, respectively, and configured to rotate the upper and lower rollers. The wire rod rolling roller also includes upper and lower bearing housings respectively disposed on one side of the upper drive shaft and one side of the lower drive shaft, and configured to support the upper and lower drive shafts. The wire rod rolling roller further includes a journal bearing inserted into the upper and lower bearing housings and in surface contact with the upper and lower drive shafts to minimize fiction and a gap adjustment device configured to adjust a gap between the upper and lower rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Andong National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Hee Keun Cho
  • Zipper chain
    Patent number: 11261938
    Abstract: Provided is a zipper chain. The zipper chain includes a plurality of chain portions arranged to face each other and engaged with each other at one point while making linear movements. Each chain portion includes a plurality of upper plates connected to each other; a plurality of lower plates arranged to respectively face the upper plates, respectively spaced apart from the upper plates, and connected to each other; a plurality of connecting portions each connecting one of the upper plates to a corresponding one of the lower plates and connecting adjacent upper plates among the plurality of upper plates or adjacent lower plates among the plurality of lower plates; and a plurality of protrusions respectively protruding from the plurality of connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HANWHA DEFENSE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Ki Yoon
  • Forming apparatus
    Patent number: 11253900
    Abstract: A forming apparatus which forms a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material, includes: a forming die for forming the metal pipe; a first electrode and a second electrode which clamp the metal pipe material at both end sides and heat the metal pipe material by causing an electric current to flow through the metal pipe material; and a first fluid supply unit and a second fluid supply unit which supply a fluid into the metal pipe material heated by the first electrode and the second electrode to expand the metal pipe material, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided with a movement restriction mechanism which restricts a movement of the metal pipe material in an axial direction of the metal pipe material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Nogiwa, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno, Akihiro Ide, Hiroyuki Kan
  • Method for manufacturing separator
    Patent number: 11247258
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separator that can effectively prevent warpage is provided. A method for manufacturing a separator according to an embodiment includes disposing a separator material including a flow path forming region between a first upper die and a first lower die, and pressing the separator material using the first upper die and the first lower die to thereby form a first recessed and projected shape in the flow path forming region and form a second recessed and projected shape outside the flow path forming region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenshiro Moride, Takayuki Furuhata
  • Oscillating silage compactor
    Patent number: 11247426
    Abstract: A compactor includes a frame supporting a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly. At least one of the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly is moveable relative to the frame in a motion that includes an upward vertical component and a downward vertical component. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second roller assemblies and is operable to repeatedly move at least one of the roller assemblies relative to the frame in both the upward vertical component and the downward vertical component to oscillate the roller assemblies relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method and apparatus for the production of a tubular structure for a gas generator, and gas generator tubular structure
    Patent number: 11235372
    Abstract: In a method of producing a tubular structure for a gas generator, a tubular body is positioned relative to a forming device having inner and outer tools, which are moved relative to an end portion of the tubular body until an inner circumferential surface of a neck of the end portion rests against a support surface of the inner tool to reduce a diameter of the end portion by a tool contour of the outer tool and thereby form a shoulder. The outer tool is held in position upon the end portion and the neck inner circumferential surface is calibrated by a calibrating surface on a calibrating member of the inner tool while an outer circumferential surface of the neck is supported by the outer tool, as the inner tool is removed from the end portion. The outer tool is then removed from the end portion of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BENTELER STEEL/TUBE GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Lücke, Leonhard Rose, Dirk Tegethoff, Marcel Wellpott
  • Phase shifting debarking apparatus, system and method
    Patent number: 11230030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a phase shifting debarker. The shifting debarker generally comprises a phase shifting mechanism being powered by a main motor and being connected to an operative assembly by the mean of timing belts. The main motor is being configured to control, by the mean of a belt, the movement of the phase shifting mechanism which is being adapted to control the movement of the operative assembly by the mean of the timing belts. The operative assembly generally comprises an actuator ring and a main ring. The activation of the shifting mechanism creates a shift phase between the actuator ring and the main ring while rotating at the same speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BID GROUP TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventor: Nicholas Jaccob Thuemler
  • Chain closing link
    Patent number: 11226023
    Abstract: A chain-closing link for a bicycle chain including two closing parts. Each of the closing parts includes a closing plate having a retaining opening and a displacement region. Each of the closing parts also includes a chain pin. The closing plate includes a recess and/or a hole having a securing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Miguel Ferreira Da Silva Ribeiro, Pedro Miguel Nunes Dos Santos
  • Portable rescue tool
    Patent number: 11224770
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Hole widening method, forming tool, and formed product
    Patent number: 11192161
    Abstract: There is provided a hole widening method including a preparing process of preparing a forming tool which has a diameter-increasing portion increasing in diameter from a front end side toward a rear end side and a line-shaped projection formed to protrude outward from a surface of the diameter-increasing portion, and a workpiece in which a pilot hole is formed; and a hole widening process of successively widening the pilot hole by pushing the forming tool into the pilot hole such that the line-shaped projection of the forming tool comes into point contact with a part of a circumferential edge portion of the pilot hole in the workpiece two times or more, and forming a stretched flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Nitta, Shigeru Yonemura, Satoshi Shirakami, Takashi Yasutomi
  • Handheld herb grinder and vacuum
    Patent number: 11191393
    Abstract: The handheld herb grinder and vacuum is a tool. The handheld herb grinder and vacuum is configured for use in grinding plant-based materials presented to the handheld herb grinder and vacuum in a bulk solid form. The handheld herb grinder and vacuum comprises a housing, a vacuum device, a grinding device, and a control circuit. The housing contains the vacuum device, the grinding device, and a control circuit. The grinding device grinds the plant-based material. The vacuum device creates a pressure differential that draws spilled plant-based material into the housing. The control circuit controls the operation of the grinding device and the vacuum device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Lidia Pena