Patents by Inventor Wendell V. Twelves

Wendell V. Twelves 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).

  • Publication number: 20190022752
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for forming a metal component from alloy powder includes a powder-based layer-by-layer directed energy beam additive manufacturing system, a primary directed high energy beam, configured to raise a temperature of the alloy powder to or above the melting point of the alloy powder. A secondary directed low energy beam configured to raise the temperature of the alloy powder to or above a sintering point of the alloy powder without reaching the melting point of the alloy powder. The apparatus further includes a sintered region on the surface of an alloy powder layer previously produced by the secondary directed low energy beam and a solid region forming a portion of the metal component that was solidified from a molten pool on the surface of the alloy powder layer adjacent to the first sintered region having been produced by the primary directed high energy beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, JR., David Ulrich Furrer
  • Publication number: 20180354058
    Abstract: A rotating tool system attachment on the spindle of a computer numerical control (“CNC”) machine includes a rotating assembly mounted on a static assembly. The rotating assembly provides a continuous supply of a wire material for deposition on a substrate during an additive manufacturing process. The rotating assembly includes a material supply housing a feedstock of wire mounted on a rotating spindle and a wire feeder configured to draw the wire from the wire supply and provide the wire for application during the additive manufacturing process. The tool system can be attached to the spindle of CNC machine to provide additive manufacturing capabilities to the CNC machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Sergey Mironets, Ranadip Acharya, William K. Tredway, John M. Milton-Benoit
  • Publication number: 20180346097
    Abstract: An example method of mounting a first component to a second component includes receiving at least a fastening assembly within an aperture established in the first component, the fastening assembly coupled to the second component via a linking member, positioning a felt metal material between the fastening assembly and the first component, securing the fastening assembly, and compressing the felt metal material during the securing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Kathleen E. Sinnamon
  • Publication number: 20180290423
    Abstract: A method of joining polymer components includes additively manufacturing first and second mating features on first and second polymer components such that a mechanical lock is created through undercut geometric features of an adhesive material when the polymer components are joined. Adhesive is added between the mating components to strengthen the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Evan Butcher
  • Patent number: 10092975
    Abstract: A process for solid state deposition of a material onto a workpiece includes the steps of providing a rod of metallic deposition material, exerting pressure at one end of the rod to move the metallic deposition material into a deposition zone, rotating the rod while the pressure is being exerted to generate frictional heat when the rod contacts a surface of the workpiece, and raising the temperature of the metallic deposition material to reduce the amount of frictional heat which needs to be generated during the rotating step and to produce a microstructure which is substantially free of porosity and which has a fine grain size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Wangen Lin, David G. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10059431
    Abstract: An example mounting assembly includes a fastener receivable within an aperture of a component. A felt metal gasket separates the fastener from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Kathleen E. Sinnamon
  • Patent number: 10059057
    Abstract: A machine for fabricating a fiber-reinforced component by additive manufacturing is disclosed. The machine may have a surface, a matrix feed configured to deposit a plurality of matrix layers on the surface, and a fiber feed configured to deposit a fiber layer on at least one of the plurality of matrix layers. The deposition of the plurality of matrix layers and the fiber layer may be controlled by a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Schirtzinger, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Evan Butcher, Lyutsia Dautova, Joe Ott
  • Patent number: 10052738
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a centrifugal drive unit, an arm assembly, an optional dynamic balancing ring, and a workpiece fixture. The arm assembly is operatively connected to the centrifugal drive unit and configured to revolve about a primary axis perpendicular to the arm. The workpiece fixture is mounted to the arm assembly, and is configured to rotate at least one workpiece about at least one secondary axis outboard of the primary axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., John P. Rizzo, Jr., Evan Butcher, Lexia Kironn, Joseph Ott
  • Publication number: 20180195393
    Abstract: A ceramic component retention system includes a metallic component, a ceramic component, and at least one spring element arranged between the metallic component and the ceramic component. The metallic component has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the ceramic component has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The at least one spring element is configured to mechanically couple the ceramic component to the metallic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Kathleen E. Sinnamon, Lexia Kironn, Evan Butcher, Joe Ott, Matthew E. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10012389
    Abstract: A duct includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment mounted to the upstream segment. A heat shield extends from one of the upstream and downstream segments. A sealing land extends from the other of the upstream and downstream segments, and is configured to engage with the heat shield. The heat shield protects the interface between the upstream and downstream segments of the ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Butcher, Lyutsia Dautova, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Joe Ott
  • Publication number: 20180169976
    Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced polymeric component includes securing a plurality of pins within a mold and wrapping reinforcing fibers around the pins to form a web of reinforcing fibers. The web of reinforcing fibers has a plurality of layers. The method of forming a reinforced polymeric component further includes adding a polymer to the mold and processing the polymer to form a molded polymeric component that contains the pins and the web of reinforcing fibers. A reinforced polymeric component includes a web of reinforcing fibers wrapped around a plurality of pins. The web of reinforcing fibers includes a plurality of layers. The reinforced polymeric component further includes a molded and processed polymer containing the web of reinforcing fibers and pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Evan Butcher, Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Gary A. Schirtzinger, Joe Ott, Lexia Kironn
  • Publication number: 20180128400
    Abstract: An embodiment of a fitting assembly includes a fitting having at least a solid outer body, a pass-through bore, and at least one undercut region. The pass-through bore is defined by at least one pass-through bore wall, extending longitudinally through a length of the outer body from a first end to a second end. The at least one undercut region is formed into the at least one pass-through bore wall, and includes at least one expansion bearing surface disposed radially outward of at least one contraction bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Evan Butcher
  • Publication number: 20180119766
    Abstract: A damper includes a damper body that is configured to be attached to a workpiece during a machining process. A first side of the damper body is configured to abut a first side of the workpiece. The damper body includes a frame forming an outer periphery of the damper body, a plurality of damper nodes with a cavity in each damper node positioned in the frame, and a plurality of ribs extending between the frame and the damper nodes. A damping material is positioned in the cavity of each damper node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Krzysztof Barnat
  • Patent number: 9932831
    Abstract: A ceramic component retention system includes a metallic component, a ceramic component, and at least one spring element arranged between the metallic component and the ceramic component. The metallic component has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the ceramic component has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The at least one spring element is configured to mechanically couple the ceramic component to the metallic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V Twelves, Jr., Kathleen E. Sinnamon, Lyutsia Dautova, Evan Butcher, Joe Ott, Matthew E. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20180058771
    Abstract: A method includes building a tubular object by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. A structure integrally connected to the tubular object for supporting a portion of the tubular object is formed during building of the tubular object. The structure provides vibration dampening, heat shielding, heat transfer, stiffening, energy absorption, or mounting after the tubular object is built.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Evan Butcher, Wendell V. Twelves, JR., Gary A. Schirtzinger, Joe Ott, Lexia Kironn
  • Patent number: 9863257
    Abstract: A damper-seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an additively manufactured seal and an additively manufactured damper inseparably assembled with the additively manufactured seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A Snyder, Edwin Otero, Lexia Kironn, Wendell V Twelves, Jr., Evan Butcher
  • Publication number: 20170361418
    Abstract: A method for abrasive flow machining includes moving an abrasive media through a high-aspect passage of a workpiece. Local pressure of the abrasive media is increased at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Joe Ott, Evan Butcher, John P. Rizzo, JR.
  • Patent number: 9823143
    Abstract: A method includes designing a part. The part includes at least one internal structure. The internal structure is designed to provide strain mitigation, energy dissipation, or impact resistance for the part during an emergency condition. The part is built by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. While building the part, the internal structure is connected to the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Evan Butcher, Lexia Kironn, Gary A. Schirtzinger, Joe Ott
  • Patent number: 9770866
    Abstract: An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base disposed therein, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber is configured to receive the at least one base via a first transfer mechanism if the fluid parameters of the first chamber are approximately equal to the fluid parameters of the second chamber. The second chamber includes a directed heat source and a build-up material configured to form a component on the at least one base by melting or sintering. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Agnes Klucha, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Benjamin T. Fisk
  • Patent number: 9732632
    Abstract: A multi-component fastener is provided having a body and a sleeve. The body has a shank that extends lengthwise between a head and a distal end. The shank includes a first outer surface. The body includes a first material. The sleeve has a wall defined by an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior cavity. The wall extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the sleeve outer surface contiguous with the first end is threaded. The sleeve includes a second material that is dissimilar to the first material. A portion of the shank including the distal end is disposed within the interior cavity of the sleeve. The sleeve and the shank are fixed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Donald W. Peters, Evan Butcher, Lexia Kironn, Joe Ott, Kathleen E. Sinnamon