Patents by Inventor Bita Ghaffari

Bita Ghaffari has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11994496
    Abstract: An inspection probe and system for inspecting a welded or brazed joint includes a housing having an internal cavity and opposed tapered standoffs disposed at a distal end portion of the housing. Distal ends of the opposed tapered standoffs define pivot surfaces, and the opposed tapered standoffs are spaced apart to define a secondary enclosure. A plurality of transducer elements are disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and a primary coupling medium made of a flexible, semi-solid material is secured between the opposed tapered standoffs. A signal processing module is in communication with a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with the transducer elements. The inspection probe is rotated across the joint, data from the transducer elements is communicated to the signal processing module, and reconstructed and corrected images obtained at different angles from the transducer elements are stitched to generate an inspection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, University of Windsor
    Inventors: Bita Ghaffari, Elizabeth Therese Hetrick, Roman Maev, Andrew Ouellette
  • Patent number: 11713500
    Abstract: A process of heat treating an Al—Si—Cu—Mg—Fe—Zn—Mn—Sr-TMs alloy, where the TMs include Zr and V, includes heat treating the alloy to produce a microstructure having a matrix with Zr and V in solid solution after solidification. The solid solution Zr, in wt. %, is at least 0.16%, the solid solution V, in wt. %, is at least 0.20% after heat treatment, and Cu and Mg are dissolved into the matrix during the heat treatment and subsequently precipitated during the heat treatment. The composition of the alloy, in wt. %, includes Cu between 3.0-3.5%, Fe between 0-0.2%, Mg between 0.24-0.35%, Mn between 0-0.40%, Si between 6.5-8.0%, Sr between 0-0.025%, Ti between 0.05-0.2%, V between 0.20-0.35%, Zr between 0.2-0.4%, maximum 0.5% total of other alloying elements, and balance Al.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mei Li, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Larry Alan Godlewski, Bita Ghaffari, Yang Huo, Carlos Engler-Pinto, Wei-jen Lai
  • Publication number: 20230095011
    Abstract: A method of forming an aluminum alloy component including melting and solidifying an aluminum alloy, solution treating the aluminum alloy, and heat treating the aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy includes scandium, zirconium, erbium, silicon, at least one of molybdenum and tungsten, manganese and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The concentration of the alloying elements, in atom %, is greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 scandium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 zirconium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 erbium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.2 silicon, greater than 0.0 and less or equal to 0.75 molybdenum when included, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 tungsten when included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Northwestern University
    Inventors: James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari, David N. Seidman, David C. Dunand, Anthony De Luca
  • Publication number: 20220365037
    Abstract: An inspection probe and system for inspecting a welded or brazed joint includes a housing having an internal cavity and opposed tapered standoffs disposed at a distal end portion of the housing. Distal ends of the opposed tapered standoffs define pivot surfaces, and the opposed tapered standoffs are spaced apart to define a secondary enclosure. A plurality of transducer elements are disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and a primary coupling medium made of a flexible, semi-solid material is secured between the opposed tapered standoffs. A signal processing module is in communication with a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with the transducer elements. The inspection probe is rotated across the joint, data from the transducer elements is communicated to the signal processing module, and reconstructed and corrected images obtained at different angles from the transducer elements are stitched to generate an inspection image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, University of Windsor
    Inventors: Bita Ghaffari, Elizabeth Therese Hetrick, Roman Maev, Andrew Ouellette
  • Patent number: 11408061
    Abstract: A high temperature creep-resistant aluminum alloy microalloyed with manganese and molybdenum and/or tungsten is provided. The aluminum alloy includes scandium, zirconium, erbium, silicon, at least one of molybdenum and tungsten, manganese and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The concentration of the alloying elements, in atom %, is greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 scandium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 zirconium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 erbium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.2 silicon, greater than 0.0 and less or equal to 0.75 molybdenum when included, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 tungsten when included, and greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 1.5 manganese. And the total concentration of Zr+Er+Sc is greater than or equal to 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Anthony De Luca, David N. Seidman, David C. Dunand, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Publication number: 20210095365
    Abstract: A high temperature creep-resistant aluminum alloy microalloyed with manganese and molybdenum and/or tungsten is provided. The aluminum alloy includes scandium, zirconium, erbium, silicon, at least one of molybdenum and tungsten, manganese and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The concentration of the alloying elements, in atom %, is greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 scandium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 zirconium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.15 erbium, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.2 silicon, greater than 0.0 and less or equal to 0.75 molybdenum when included, greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.35 tungsten when included, and greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 1.5 manganese. And the total concentration of Zr+Er+Sc is greater than or equal to 0.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Anthony De Luca, David N. Seidman, David C. Dunand, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Publication number: 20200354824
    Abstract: A process of heat treating an Al—Si—Cu—Mg—Fe—Zn—Mn—Sr-TMs alloy, where the TMs include Zr and V, includes heat treating the alloy to produce a microstructure having a matrix with Zr and V in solid solution after solidification. The solid solution Zr, in wt. %, is at least 0.16%, the solid solution V, in wt. %, is at least 0.20% after heat treatment, and Cu and Mg are dissolved into the matrix during the heat treatment and subsequently precipitated during the heat treatment. The composition of the alloy, in wt. %, includes Cu between 3.0-3.5%, Fe between 0-0.2%, Mg between 0.24-0.35%, Mn between 0-0.40%, Si between 6.5-8.0%, Sr between 0-0.025%, Ti between 0.05-0.2%, V between 0.20-0.35%, Zr between 0.2-0.4%, maximum 0.5% total of other alloying elements, and balance Al.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mei Li, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Larry Alan Godlewski, Bita Ghaffari, Yang Huo, Carlos Engler-Pinto, Wei-jen Lai
  • Patent number: 10752980
    Abstract: A high fatigue strength aluminum alloy comprises in weight percent copper 3.0-3.5%, iron 0-1.3%, magnesium 0.24-0.35%, manganese 0-0.8%, silicon 6.5-12.0%, strontium 0-0.025%, titanium 0.05-0.2%, vanadium 0.20-0.35%, zinc 0-3.0%, zirconium 0.2-0.4%, a maximum of 0.5% other elements and balance aluminum plus impurities. The alloy defines a microstructure having an aluminum matrix with the Zr and the V in solid solution after solidification. The matrix has solid solution Zr of at least 0.16% after heat treatment and solid solution V of at least 0.20% after heat treatment, and both Cu and Mg are dissolved into the aluminum matrix during the heat treatment and subsequently precipitated during the heat treatment. A process for heat treating an Al—Si—Cu—Mg—Fe—Zn—Mn—Sr-TMs alloy comprises heat treating the alloy to produce a microstructure having a matrix with Zr and V in solid solution after solidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mei Li, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Larry Alan Godlewski, Bita Ghaffari, Yang Huo, Carlos Engler-Pinto, Wei-jen Lai
  • Publication number: 20190032179
    Abstract: A high fatigue strength aluminum alloy comprises in weight percent copper 3.0-3.5%, iron 0-1.3%, magnesium 0.24-0.35%, manganese 0-0.8%, silicon 6.5-12.0%, strontium 0-0.025%, titanium 0.05-0.2%, vanadium 0.20-0.35%, zinc 0-3.0%, zirconium 0.2-0.4%, a maximum of 0.5% other elements and balance aluminum plus impurities. The alloy defines a microstructure having an aluminum matrix with the Zr and the V in solid solution after solidification. The matrix has solid solution Zr of at least 0.16% after heat treatment and solid solution V of at least 0.20% after heat treatment, and both Cu and Mg are dissolved into the aluminum matrix during the heat treatment and subsequently precipitated during the heat treatment. A process for heat treating an Al—Si—Cu—Mg—Fe—Zn—Mn—Sr-TMs alloy comprises heat treating the alloy to produce a microstructure having a matrix with Zr and V in solid solution after solidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mei Li, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Larry Alan Godlewski, Bita Ghaffari, Yang Huo, Carlos Engler-Pinto, Wei-jen Lai
  • Patent number: 9797030
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Christopher S. Huskamp, Christopher Booth-Morrison, David C. Dunand, David N. Seidman, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Patent number: 9551050
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Christopher S. Huskamp, Christopher Booth-Morrison, David C. Dunand, David N. Seidman, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Publication number: 20170016101
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher S. Huskamp, Christopher Booth-Morrison, David C. Dunand, David N. Seidman, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Publication number: 20130220497
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher S. Huskamp, Christopher Booth-Morrison, David C. Dunand, David N. Seidman, James M. Boileau, Bita Ghaffari
  • Patent number: 6657188
    Abstract: Neutral particles, such as atoms and molecules, transported along a path having at least one curved region are selectively conveyed or filtered according to each particle's velocity by generating an inhomogeneous magnetic field across a cross-section of the path. The neutral particles may be transported through a physical tube or simply through the region defined by the magnetic field. The path may have more than one curved region and may additionally have one or more straight regions. The magnetic field may be generated for example by homogeneously or inhomogeneously magnetized permanent magnets or by current carrying elements. The magnetic elements may additionally be used in conjunction with at least one piece of a high permeability magnetic material for focussing or containing the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Randall Gardner Hulet, Kevin Edwin Strecker, Jordan Mitchell Gerton, William Ian McAlexander, Curtis Charles Bradley, Jeffrey J Tollett, Charles Ackley Sackett, Bita Ghaffari, Stephen Calvin Moss