Patents by Inventor Brian P. Welcher

Brian P. Welcher 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: 5565623
    Abstract: A computerized gauge for efficiently measuring surface profiles of tracks of constant velocity joints in order to detect defects in the surfaces when rebuilding CV joints. The race is mounted on a support adapted for movement along a translation axis, and a follower is biased into contact with the race along a deflection axis generally orthogonal to the translation axis. An interface ball on the follower, of a size compatible with the track when used in a CV joint, is caused to traverse the track from one end to another while a sequence of data points are recorded indicating the position of the center of the interface ball as it traverses the track. A regressive curve-fitting technique determines a best-fit curve to the set of data points, and a comparison between the data points and a best-fit curve identifies defects in the tested track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignees: Aircraft Gear Corporation, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Michael L. Philpott, Dale R. Pankow, Douglas Vandenberg, Brian P. Welcher