Patents by Inventor Kevin R. Marks
Kevin R. Marks 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).
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Patent number: 9968977Abstract: A method of shaping a component includes providing a plurality of work-piece blanks. The method also includes generating a contour in each work-piece blank, such that each contour is bordered by a region of material of the respective work-piece blank. The method also includes stacking the work-piece blanks such that the contour of one work-piece blank is aligned with the contours of the other blanks. The method additionally includes simultaneously annealing the region of material bordering the respective contour of each stacked work-piece blank to thereby enhance formability of the region of material. Furthermore, the method includes forming a shape in at least one of the work-piece blanks via stretching the annealed region of material bordering the respective contour to thereby shape at least one component. The component can be a structural reinforcement for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kevin R. Marks, Thomas M. Foreman, Tom Sherwood
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Publication number: 20170008059Abstract: A method of shaping a component includes providing a plurality of work-piece blanks The method also includes generating a contour in each work-piece blank, such that each contour is bordered by a region of material of the respective work-piece blank. The method also includes stacking the work-piece blanks such that the contour of one work-piece blank is aligned with the contours of the other blanks The method additionally includes simultaneously annealing the region of material bordering the respective contour of each stacked work-piece blank to thereby enhance formability of the region of material. Furthermore, the method includes forming a shape in at least one of the work-piece blanks via stretching the annealed region of material bordering the respective contour to thereby shape at least one component. The component can be a structural reinforcement for a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin R. Marks, Thomas M. Foreman, Tom Sherwood
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Patent number: 8631671Abstract: A method and system for forming a part from a workpiece including a hollow portion, using a mandrel and a conventional press such as a stamping press includes filling the hollow portion of the workpiece with a mandrel material and transforming the mandrel material to form a mandrel. The mandrel material is removable from the formed part and may be recycled to form a mandrel for another workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul E. Krajewski, Michael H. Lovell, Tiffanie E. Coe, Terry A. Kent, Kevin R. Marks, William R. Rodgers, Howard William Cox, William Parker, Darrell W. Rebman, John Collins
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Patent number: 8534110Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a tube bender having a bend die, a clamp die, a pressure die and a wiper die. The method includes providing a test-piece having an outer surface defined by a length and a substantially round cross-section. The method also includes arranging the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die relative to each other in the tube bender, and arranging the test-piece relative to the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die. The method further includes applying a force by the tube bender to clamp the test-piece, and determining whether the applied force is within a predetermined range of forces. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die to apply a force to the test-piece that is within the predetermined range of forces.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Douglas T. Wohlenhaus
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Publication number: 20120260709Abstract: A method and system for forming a part from a workpiece including a hollow portion, using a mandrel and a conventional press such as a stamping press includes filling the hollow portion of the workpiece with a mandrel material and transforming the mandrel material to form a mandrel. The mandrel material is removable from the formed part and may be recycled to form a mandrel for another workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul E. Krajewski, Michael H. Lovell, Tiffanie E. Coe, Terry A. Kent, Kevin R. Marks, William R. Rodgers, Howard William Cox, William Parker, Darrell W. Rebman, John Collins
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Patent number: 8099989Abstract: Articles are often formed from a tubular workpiece in a process which does not usefully shape the ends of the tube. In an embodiment of the invention, tube ends may be mechanically reduced in cross section and then expanded against a secondary forming surface(s) using an electromagnetic force to obtain desired shapes for the tube ends and minimize scrapping of workpiece material.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John R. Bradley, Michael H. Lovell, Kevin R. Marks, Terry A. Kent, Donald W Cotton
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Patent number: 8061179Abstract: A high pressure pump includes a pump housing. A piston rod located within the pump housing defines a plurality of pump cavities and a plurality of piston cavities. Movement of the piston within the piston cylinder pumps the fluid from the piston cavities out of the high pressure pump. The continuous pumping of HWBF from the pump housing provides fluid at a relatively constant flow and pressure. The HWBF pressure is also at a higher pressure than traditional single stage high pressure pumps can provide.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: David R. Jensen, Mike M. Ghiran, Ranny Joe Nunley, David R. Friddell, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Paul D. Larsen
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Publication number: 20110174035Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a tube bender having a bend die, a clamp die, a pressure die and a wiper die. The method includes providing a test-piece having an outer surface defined by a length and a substantially round cross-section. The method also includes arranging the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die relative to each other in the tube bender, and arranging the test-piece relative to the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die. The method further includes applying a force by the tube bender to clamp the test-piece, and determining whether the applied force is within a predetermined range of forces. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die to apply a force to the test-piece that is within the predetermined range of forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Douglas T. Wohlenhaus
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Patent number: 7937979Abstract: A hydroform die includes a plurality of seal units to provide fluid to die cavities. The plurality of seal units each define a piston cylinder. A piston is located within the cylinder and is selectively moveable between an open and a closed position. Additionally, the piston at least partially defines a valve chamber located on a first side of the piston and a piston chamber located on a second side of the piston. A piston fluid passage is defined by the piston to fluidly connect the valve chamber and the piston chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Ranny Joe Nunley, David R. Friddell, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Jensen, Paul D. Larsen
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Patent number: 7685856Abstract: A hydroforming seal and method includes a nozzle having both a radially expandable O-ring seal and a conical tapered surface for separately sealing with the bore of the tube. The O-ring seal is expanded to seal the tube and pressurized fluid is added sufficient to support the interior of the tube while the dies are closed so that the tube is thereby bent and forced into the die cavity without collapse or injury to the tube. The O-ring seal is then contracted to a non-sealing position and the conical tapered surface provides metal-to-metal sealing while the higher hydroforming pressure is applied to expand the tube. The nozzle also has a radial shoulder that engages the end face of the tube so that advance of the nozzle feeds the tube into the die.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, Tiffanie E. Coe, Kevin R. Marks
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Publication number: 20100040485Abstract: A high pressure pump includes a pump housing. A piston rod located within the pump housing defines a plurality of pump cavities and a plurality of piston cavities. Movement of the piston within the piston cylinder pumps the fluid from the piston cavities out of the high pressure pump. The continuous pumping of HWBF from the pump housing provides fluid at a relatively constant flow and pressure. The HWBF pressure is also at a higher pressure than traditional single stage high pressure pumps can provide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David R. Jensen, Mike M. Ghiran, Ranny Joe Nunley, David R. Friddell, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Paul D. Larsen
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Publication number: 20100037670Abstract: A hydroform die includes a plurality of seal units to provide fluid to die cavities. The plurality of seal units each define a piston cylinder. A piston is located within the cylinder and is selectively moveable between an open and a closed position. Additionally, the piston at least partially defines a valve chamber located on a first side of the piston and a piston chamber located on a second side of the piston. A piston fluid passage is defined by the piston to fluidly connect the valve chamber and the piston chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Ranny Joe Nunley, David R. Friddell, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Jensen, Paul D. Larsen
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Publication number: 20100024503Abstract: Articles are often formed from a tubular workpiece in a process which does not usefully shape the ends of the tube. In an embodiment of the invention, tube ends may be mechanically reduced in cross section and then expanded against a secondary forming surface(s) using an electromagnetic force to obtain desired shapes for the tube ends and minimize scrapping of workpiece material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: John R. Bradley, Michael H. Lovell, Kevin R. Marks, Terry A. Kent, Donald W. Cotton
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Patent number: 7594417Abstract: In a rotary tube bender, a first set of pressure sensors is located between the normally disposed mating surfaces of a wiper die insert and its wiper die holder; and a second set of pressure sensors is located between the axially disposed surfaces of the wiper die insert and the wiper die holder. Signal outputs of the first and second sets of pressure sensors over the course of bending cycles are compared to previously determined nominal signal outputs for drift indicative of whether a realignment or replacement of the wiper die should be performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Douglas T. Wohlenhaus
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Patent number: 7584637Abstract: A method of bending a metal object, such as a tube, is provided that uses real time, closed-loop feedback of the actual springback of the object in order to modify the applied bending force or preprogrammed bending coordinates so that the final desired bend geometry is achieved. The variability of springback from object to object is thus accounted for and the number of objects that must be scrapped due to incorrect bends (over bend or under bend) is reduced. The method is carried out using an apparatus such as a rotary draw bender with a measuring device operable to measure actual bend coordinates of metal objects bent by the bender. A controller is operatively connected to the bender and the measuring device and is configured to control the bender to bend the metal objects at least partly based on measured bend coordinates provided by the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Friddell, Paul D. Larsen
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Publication number: 20090178453Abstract: A method of bending a metal object, such as a tube, is provided that uses real time, closed-loop feedback of the actual springback of the object in order to modify the applied bending force or preprogrammed bending coordinates so that the final desired bend geometry is achieved. The variability of springback from object to object is thus accounted for and the number of objects that must be scrapped due to incorrect bends (over bend or under bend) is reduced. The method is carried out using an apparatus such as a rotary draw bender with a measuring device operable to measure actual bend coordinates of metal objects bent by the bender. A controller is operatively connected to the bender and the measuring device and is configured to control the bender to bend the metal objects at least partly based on measured bend coordinates provided by the measuring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INCInventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Friddell, Paul D. Larsen
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Patent number: 7503197Abstract: Apparatus is provided for punching holes through the opposed first and second tube walls of a hydroformed tube while the tube is within the die cavity formed by a pair of hydroforming dies. A punch is mounted within a punch bore that intersects with the die cavity. A punch advances the punch to punch a first hole in the first tube wall and then travel across the die cavity and make a second hole in the second tube wall. A support mechanism for supporting the second wall of the tube against rupture by the hydroforming pressure includes spring biasing a support face of a support rod into engagement with the second wall and yielding during the punching of the second hole. A support rod actuator withdraws the support rod to carry the support face away from the second wall after the second hole is punched.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Kevin R. Marks
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Publication number: 20080190163Abstract: Apparatus is provided for punching holes through the opposed first and second tube walls of a hydroformed tube while the tube is within the die cavity formed by a pair of hydroforming dies. A punch is mounted within a punch bore that intersects with the die cavity. A punch advances the punch to punch a first hole in the first tube wall and then travel across the die cavity and make a second hole in the second tube wall. A support mechanism for supporting the second wall of the tube against rupture by the hydroforming pressure includes spring biasing a support face of a support rod into engagement with the second wall and yielding during the punching of the second hole. A support rod actuator withdraws the support rod to carry the support face away from the second wall after the second hole is punched.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Kevin R. Marks
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Patent number: 7140217Abstract: A hydroform die tube holding assembly and method of using same includes at least one seal unit for sealing an end of a tube. The hydroformed die tube holding assembly also includes a seal unit elevator for attachment to a lower die half to operatively support the at least one seal unit. The hydroformed die tube holding assembly further includes at least one upper gas spring for attachment to an upper die half to engage, the seal unit elevator to drive the seal unit elevator downward prior to the upper die half engaging the tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Marks, Michael L. Raby