Patents by Inventor Donald J. Holman

Donald J. Holman 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).

  • Method and apparatus for machine tooling, such as friction stir welder
    Patent number: 6708866
    Abstract: A friction stir welding tool includes a friction stir welding head having a probe and spindle rotatably mounted at a first end. A support supports the stir welding head between the first end and a second end for movement about a pitch axis. A pitch actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the stir welding head at a point longitudinally spaced from pitch axis to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A turntable supports the stir welding head for movement about a yaw axis. A yaw actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the turntable laterally spaced from the yaw axis, to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A controller maintains an angle of attack of the probe with respect to direction of travel of the probe along the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nova-Tech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Holman, James A. Whitehouse
  • Method and apparatus for machine tooling, such as friction stir welder
    Publication number: 20030057261
    Abstract: A friction stir welding tool includes a friction stir welding head having a probe and spindle rotatably mounted at a first end. A support supports the stir welding head between the first end and a second end for movement about a pitch axis. A pitch actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the stir welding head at a point longitudinally spaced from pitch axis to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A turntable supports the stir welding head for movement about a yaw axis. A yaw actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the turntable laterally spaced from the yaw axis, to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A controller maintains an angle of attack of the probe with respect to direction of travel of the probe along the work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: MCE Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald J. Holman, James A. Whitehouse