Patents by Inventor Michael R. Eller
Michael R. Eller 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: 9174301Abstract: A method for forming a joint between a tube and a sheet includes forming an anvil at least within the tube, and welding the tube to the sheet in the presence of the anvil. The anvil includes an anchor which is placed within the tube near or at the joint to be formed. At least one washer is placed over the end of the anchor that is near the joint to be formed. A threaded fastener is then placed into the anchor to securely hold the anchor within the tube and to provide a backing substantial enough so that a friction stir weld can be formed. The threaded fastener and the washer can be used as a guide for the friction stir weld. Once the weld is completed, the anvil can be removed. The weld can be further processed to remove burrs and other material.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael R. Eller, Zhixian Li
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Publication number: 20150240970Abstract: Fluid conveying pipes and processes of forming such pipes using friction stir welding. The fluid conveying pipes are formed from a pipe section that includes a first barrel coaxially and concentrically disposed within a second barrel. The first barrel and the second barrel are each formed from one or more sections or plates where longitudinal extending facing edges of the plates are friction stir welded (FSW) together along a seam(s) that extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end thereof. A plurality of the pipe sections can be connected together end to end using circumferential FSW seams to form a pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. ELLER, Randy J. BROWN, Duy N. PHAM, Eugene C. JANSEN, Trevor OWEN, Kevin MILLER
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Patent number: 9080818Abstract: Heat exchangers are described that employ fins made of a heat conducting foam material to enhance heat transfer. The foam fins can be used in any type of heat exchanger including, but not limited to, a plate-fin heat exchanger, a plate-frame heat exchanger or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The heat exchangers employing foam fins described herein are highly efficient, inexpensive to build, and corrosion resistant. The described heat exchangers can be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to, low thermal driving force applications, power generation applications, and non-power generation applications such as refrigeration and cryogenics. The fins can be made from any thermally conductive foam material including, but not limited to, graphite foam or metal foam.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Scott M. Maurer, Nicholas J. Nagurny, Michael R. Eller, James W. Klett
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Publication number: 20140262173Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Nicholas J. NAGURNY, Derek M. BECKNER, Michael R. ELLER, Scott M. MAURER, Trevor J. OWEN
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Publication number: 20140261900Abstract: A process is described that employs what can be termed a friction surface stirring (FSS) process on the surface of a metal object. The FSS process occurs on some or the entire surface of the metal object, at a location(s) separate from a friction stir welded joint. The FSS process on the surface produces a corrosion resistant mechanical conversion “coating” on the object. The “coating” is formed by the thickness of the material of the object that has been FSS processed. In one exemplary application, the process can be applied to a metal strip that is later formed into a tube whereby the “coated” surface resides on the inside of the tube making it highly resistant to corrosive flow such as seawater.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Scott M. MAURER, Michael R. ELLER, Zhixian LI
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Patent number: 8540012Abstract: A heat exchanger and a method for fabricating the heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core that is formed from a plurality of stacked aluminum panels that are joined together via friction stir welding. Each panel in the core is formed from at least two aluminum extrusions that are joined to one another via friction stir welding.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Natalie B. Levings, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Patrick D. Grandelli, Joe Van Ryzin, Eliot Goldstein, Randy J. Brown, Leslie D. Kramer, Robert J. Howard
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Patent number: 8439250Abstract: A method for joining a tube and tube plate for use in a tube-and-shell heat exchanger is disclosed. The method enables a joint between the tube and tube plate that is substantially hermetic and substantially corrosion-resistant. The method comprises providing an anvil inside the tube, wherein the anvil supports the tube wall during a friction-stir welding process used to join the tube and tube plate. The anvil facilitates formation of a reliable weld region and enables faster friction-stir welding.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Riki P. Takeshita, Randy J. Brown, Michael R. Eller, Duy N. Pham
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Publication number: 20130037601Abstract: A method for forming a joint between a tube and a sheet includes forming an anvil at least within the tube, and welding the tube to the sheet in the presence of the anvil. The anvil includes an anchor which is placed within the tube near or at the joint to be formed. At least one washer is placed over the end of the anchor that is near the joint to be formed. A threaded fastener is then placed into the anchor to securely hold the anchor within the tube and to provide a backing substantial enough so that a friction stir weld can be formed. The threaded fastener and the washer can be used as a guide for the friction stir weld. Once the weld is completed, the anvil can be removed. The weld can be further processed to remove burrs and other material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. ELLER, Zhixian LI
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Publication number: 20120199331Abstract: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers that utilize one or more foam heat transfer units engaged with the tubes to enhance the heat transfer between first and second fluids. The foam of the heat transfer units can be any thermally conductive foam material that enhances heat transfer, for example graphite foam. These shell-and-tube heat exchangers are highly efficient, inexpensive to build, and corrosion resistant. The described heat exchangers can be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to, low thermal driving force applications, power generation applications, and non-power generation applications such as refrigeration and cryogenics. The foam heat transfer units can be made from any thermally conductive foam material including, but not limited to, graphite foam or metal foam. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger utilizes tubes that are twisted around a central foam heat transfer unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Scott M. MAURER, Nicholas J. NAGURNY, Michael R. ELLER, James W. KLETT
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Publication number: 20120199334Abstract: Heat exchangers are described that employ fins made of a heat conducting foam material to enhance heat transfer. The foam fins can be used in any type of heat exchanger including, but not limited to, a plate-fin heat exchanger, a plate-frame heat exchanger or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The heat exchangers employing foam fins described herein are highly efficient, inexpensive to build, and corrosion resistant. The described heat exchangers can be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to, low thermal driving force applications, power generation applications, and non-power generation applications such as refrigeration and cryogenics. The fins can be made from any thermally conductive foam material including, but not limited to, graphite foam or metal foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Scott M. MAURER, Nicholas J. NAGURNY, Michael R. ELLER, James W. KLETT
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Publication number: 20110127022Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed; wherein the heat exchanger has improved thermal efficiency and low fluid back pressure. The heat exchanger comprises conduits for conveying the first fluid, wherein the conduits include a plurality of flow passages. The flow passages are defined by a plurality of fins that are continuous along the direction of flow of the first fluid. Each fin includes a wave-shaped region, and adjacent fins sub-divide each flow passage into first and second sections that are interposed by a third section. The wave-shape of the fins creates a continuously varying cross-sectional area for each third section. The variation of the cross-sectional area of the third section, coupled with the wave-shape of the fins, induces a swirl flow between the third section and each of the first and second sections. This swirl flow improves the efficiency of the overall convection heat transfer in each conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. Eller, Randy J. Brown, Riki P. Takeshita
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Publication number: 20110079375Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates that are demountably attached to a frame is disclosed. Each plate comprises a plurality of channels for conveying a primary fluid through the heat exchanger. The frames are arranged in the frame so that spaces between adjacent frame pairs define conduits for conveying a secondary fluid through the heat exchanger. The plates are mounted in the frame so that they can be individually removed from the frame. Further, each of the channels is fluidically connected to input and output ports for the primary fluid by detachable couplings. As a result, heat exchangers in accordance with the present invention are more easily repaired or refurbished than prior-art heat exchangers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Eugene Jansen, Doug Hillson, Michael R. Eller
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Publication number: 20110011570Abstract: A hybrid plate-fin heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The hybrid plate-fin heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates, each of which comprises channels for conveying the first fluid. Fins are brazed onto each plate, wherein the fins define a plurality of flow channels for the second fluid. The plates are joined to one another via friction-stir welding in such a way that the brazed regions are fluidically isolated from the first fluid during operation. As a result, the heat exchanger is suitable for use in applications that use a first fluid, such as seawater or geothermal fluid, which is corrosive for the brazed regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Natalie B. Levings, Nicholas J. Nagurny, Michael R. Eller
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Publication number: 20110000952Abstract: A method for joining a tube and tube plate for use in a tube-and-shell heat exchanger is disclosed. The method enables a joint between the tube and tube plate that is substantially hermetic and substantially corrosion-resistant. The method comprises providing an anvil inside the tube, wherein the anvil supports the tube wall during a friction-stir welding process used to join the tube and tube plate. The anvil facilitates formation of a reliable weld region and enables faster friction-stir welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Riki P. Takeshita, Randy J. Brown, Michael R. Eller, Duy N. Pham
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Publication number: 20100140321Abstract: A friction stir welding device may include a rotatable head, a rotatable upper shoulder, a lower shoulder and a pin device. The rotatable head includes a first multisided connection portion. The rotatable upper shoulder includes a first cavity and a second multisided connection portion. The second multisided connection portion is configured to engage the first multisided connection portion. The lower shoulder includes a second cavity and a third multisided connection portion. The pin device includes a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the second end includes a fourth multisided connection portion. The fourth multisided connection portion can be configured to engage the third multisided connection portion. The pin device may be configured to retractably traverse the rotatable upper shoulder via the first cavity. The rotatable upper shoulder, the pin device and the lower shoulder may be configured to friction stir weld a workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael R. ELLER, Drew P. ROUSSEL, Zhixian LI
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Publication number: 20090308582Abstract: A heat exchanger and a method for fabricating the heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core that is formed from a plurality of stacked aluminum panels that are joined together via friction stir welding. Each panel in the core is formed from at least two aluminum extrusions that are joined to one another via friction stir welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Natalie Levings, Derek Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Patrick D. Grandelli, Joe Van Ryzin, Eliot Goldstein