Patents by Inventor Shixin Jack Hu
Shixin Jack Hu 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: 11180891Abstract: A method of making a natural fiber composite panel includes extracting bamboo fibers from bamboo and embedding the extracted bamboo fibers in a polymer matrix material. The bamboo includes bamboo fibers and lignin, and the step of extracting includes mechanically scraping the bamboo fibers to remove at least some of the lignin. In some cases, the bamboo is steamed, soaked in water, soaked in an acidic solution and/or soaked in an alkaline solution before mechanical scraping.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, OPTIMAL, INC.Inventors: Mihaela Banu, Shixin Jack Hu, Tae Hyung Kim, Song Ling Young
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Patent number: 10974462Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Shixin Jack Hu, Mihaela Banu, Kaifeng Wang
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Publication number: 20190224773Abstract: A process, system and method of joining dissimilar materials. The process utilizes a rivet configured to extend through two layers or dissimilar materials in various configurations. The rivet is inserted using both force and heat generated through resistance heating, specifically one sided spot welding. Preheating may be used to assist with penetration of the rivet into the materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: Optimal Process Technologies, LLCInventors: Dan Radomski, Song Ling Young, Kyubum Kim, Tae Hyung Kim, Shixin Jack Hu
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Publication number: 20190112764Abstract: A method of making a natural fiber composite panel includes extracting bamboo fibers from bamboo and embedding the extracted bamboo fibers in a polymer matrix material. The bamboo includes bamboo fibers and lignin, and the step of extracting includes mechanically scraping the bamboo fibers to remove at least some of the lignin. In some cases, the bamboo is steamed, soaked in water, soaked in an acidic solution and/or soaked in an alkaline solution before mechanical scraping.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Mihaela Banu, Shixin Jack Hu, Tae Hyung Kim, Song Ling Young
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Patent number: 10184215Abstract: A reinforced composite panel and method of making the composite panel uses processed natural fibers such as bamboo along with a polymeric material. The method includes the steps of: treating a plant source comprising natural fibers with a solvent and processing the treated plant source. The processing step can include arranging the natural fibers into a sheet-like orientation in a variety of ways. A polymeric material is then applied to the natural fibers to form a composite sheet, and the composite panel can be formed from one or more composite sheets.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: The Regents of The University of MichiganInventors: Mihaela Banu, Shixin Jack Hu, Tae Hyung Kim, Song Ling Young
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Publication number: 20180169962Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Daniel G. SHRIVER, Shixin Jack HU, Mihaela BANU, Kaifeng WANG
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Publication number: 20160201709Abstract: A product and method for fastening workpiece elements. A rivet assembly may include a mandrel with a cutting edge that forms an opening in the workpiece elements as the rivet body is positioned through the workpiece elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: YONGQIANG LI, JUNYING MIN, BLAIR E. CARLSON, SHIXIN JACK HU
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Publication number: 20150041081Abstract: A reinforced composite panel and method of making the composite panel uses processed natural fibers such as bamboo along with a polymeric material. The method includes the steps of: treating a plant source comprising natural fibers with a solvent and processing the treated plant source. The processing step can include arranging the natural fibers into a sheet-like orientation in a variety of ways. A polymeric material is then applied to the natural fibers to form a composite sheet, and the composite panel can be formed from one or more composite sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Mihaela Banu, Shixin Jack Hu, Tae Hyung Kim, Song Ling Young
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Patent number: 8702882Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a vibration welding system includes collecting sensory data during formation of a welded joint using sensors positioned with respect to welding interfaces of a work piece. A host machine extracts a feature set from a welding signature collectively defined by the sensory data, compares and correlates the feature set with validated information in a library, and executes a control action(s) when the present feature set insufficiently matches the information. A welding system includes a sonotrode, sensors, and the host machine. The host machine is configured to execute the method noted above.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of University of MichiganInventors: Wayne W. Cai, Jeffrey A Abell, Jason C. H. Tang, Michael Anthony Wincek, Paul J Boor, Paul F. Spacher, Shixin Jack Hu
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Publication number: 20110108181Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a vibration welding system includes collecting sensory data during formation of a welded joint using sensors positioned with respect to welding interfaces of a work piece. A host machine extracts a feature set from a welding signature collectively defined by the sensory data, compares and correlates the feature set with validated information in a library, and executes a control action(s) when the present feature set insufficiently matches the information. A welding system includes a sonotrode, sensors, and the host machine. The host machine is configured to execute the method noted above.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Wayne W. Cai, Jeffrey A Abell, Jason C.H. Tang, Michael Anthony Wincek, Paul J Boor, Paul F. Spacher, Shixin Jack Hu
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Publication number: 20090188903Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and controlling the process consistency of an arc welding process. The weld voltage signal is monitored and analyzed to determine the occurrence of the detachment of a weld droplet. The weld droplet detachment is determined via statistical techniques as having occurred at a normal interval following a prior detachment indicating consistent weld process or as a sporadic detachment having occurred at an irregular interval with respect to the prior detachment and indicating inconsistent weld process. The weld process is adjusted by controlling the weld process variables to maximize the predominance of droplet detachment at normal intervals and minimize the occurrence of the sporadic detachments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Shixin Jack Hu, Wenkao Hou, Hao Du, Pei-Chung Wang, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 7267736Abstract: The present invention provides a method of joining dissimilar materials, particularly a non-ferrous component to a ferrous component to form an assembly. In an overlapping configuration, the parts are held together under a clamping force while a self-piercing rivet is driven through the assembly by a welding electrode. The rivet pierces and passes through the non-ferrous component and then at least into contact with the ferrous component to thereby form a mechanical interlock. An electrical current is then applied to this mechanical retention to melt a portion of the rivet as well as a portion of the ferrous metal in the joining region. The flow of electrical current is then stopped after several welding cycles where the now melted material is allowed to solidify upon cooling, thereby forming a weld.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of MichiganInventors: Wenkao Hou, Shixin Jack Hu, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 7036364Abstract: A optical system and method of measuring a strain on a surface of a band of a sheet of a material. A single line, or an area having a boundary line, is marked on the band before deformation. The line traverses a width of the band at angle. The band is deformed and an equivalent two-dimensional image of the line after deformation is obtained. The line before deformation is compared with the two-dimensional equivalent image of the line after deformation, and the strain on the surface of the band after deformation is determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Slawomir J. Swillo, Kaushik Arjunan Iyer, Shixin Jack Hu
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Patent number: 6835020Abstract: A sheet metal assembly includes first and second metal sheets having flanges extending from the sheets. The flanges overlap and are in engaged parallel facing relation for a width between outer edges and flanges. At least one pair of self-piercing rivets joins the flanges at spaced locations along the width. The rivets each have a head and a shank extending into the flanges from opposite sides. The rivet heads of each pair are located in opposite flanges and are spaced further from the outer edges of their respective flanges (nearer the load-application ends) than are the shank portions of other rivets of the pair.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Shixin Jack Hu, Kaushik Iyer, Felicia L. Brittman, Daniel B. Hayden
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Publication number: 20040197137Abstract: A sheet metal assembly includes first and second metal sheets having flanges extending from the sheets. The flanges overlap and are in engaged parallel facing relation for a width between outer edges and flanges. At least one pair of self-piercing rivets joins the flanges at spaced locations along the width. The rivets each have a head and a shank extending into the flanges from opposite sides. The rivet heads of each pair are located in opposite flanges and are spaced further from the outer edges of their respective flanges (nearer the load-application ends) than are the shank portions of other rivets of the pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Shixin Jack Hu, Kaushik Iyer, Felicia L. Brittman, Daniel B. Hayden
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Patent number: 6744011Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a useful online monitoring system and method of user thereof for monitoring a welding process to determine weld quality, weld process stability, and weld geometry for each weld formed during a welding process. More particularly, the online monitoring system has a computer having a graphical user interface (GUI); at least one welding machine; a communication interface for interfacing communication between the at least one welding machine and the computer; a data acquisition system for acquiring welding signal data, the data acquisition system having an associated memory means; a quality management database for managing and storing acquired welding signal data; and a statistical signal processing system in communication with the data acquisition system for processing welding signal data stored in the data acquisition system associated memory means, and in further communication with the communication interface for communicating processed welding signal data to the GUI.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of MichiganInventors: Shixin Jack Hu, Yunxian Chu, Wenkao Hou, Samuel Paul Marin, Pei-Chung Wang
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Publication number: 20040099648Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a useful online monitoring system and method of user thereof for monitoring a welding process to determine weld quality, weld process stability, and weld geometry for each weld formed during a welding process. More particularly, the online monitoring system has a computer having a graphical user interface (GUI); at least one welding machine; a communication interface for interfacing communication between the at least one welding machine and the computer; a data acquisition system for acquiring welding signal data, the data acquisition system having an associated memory means; a quality management database for managing and storing acquired welding signal data; and a statistical signal processing system in communication with the data acquisition system for processing welding signal data stored in the data acquisition system associated memory means, and in further communication with the communication interface for communicating processed welding signal data to the GUI.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Shixin Jack Hu, Yunxian Chu, Wenkao Hou, Samuel Paul Marin, Pei-Chung Wang