Automatic And/or Material-triggered Control Patents (Class 156/350)
  • Patent number: 11953880
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for indexing a layup mandrel. One embodiment is a method for indexing a layup mandrel for a composite part. The method includes identifying a surface of a layup mandrel that travels in a process direction during fabrication of a composite part, placing a lamination head in contact with the surface, traversing the surface of the layup mandrel with the lamination head, acquiring a stream of 3D coordinates of the lamination head as the lamination head traverses the surface, characterizing the layup mandrel based on the stream of 3D coordinates, altering a Numerical Control (NC) program that directs layup of fiber reinforced material at the layup mandrel, based on a difference between the alignment of the layup mandrel and a nominal alignment of the layup mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jordan Seth Erickson, Michael Kenneth-Que Louie
  • Patent number: 11872775
    Abstract: A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold, including a pre-start lane assembly having a pre-start power roller that moves a composite tape segment from a composite tape source; a restart lane assembly having a restart power roller that also moves the composite tape segment from the composite tape source; and a cutting lane assembly having a reciprocating cutting blade, wherein the pre-start power roller draws composite tape from the composite tape source and the restart power roller positions a composite tape segment on a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FIVES MACHINING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Noel
  • Patent number: 11721788
    Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer of semiconductor devices grown on a growth substrate. The wafer of semiconductor devices has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface is a surface of the growth substrate. The method further includes bonding the first surface to a first wafer and bonding the second surface to a second wafer. In some embodiments, the first and second wafer each have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the growth substrate. In some embodiments, the second wafer may compensate for stress introduced to the wafer of semiconductor devices by the first wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Quanbo Zou, Salman Akram, Jerome Chandra Bhat
  • Patent number: 11653911
    Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Nicholas Maiorino, Timothy Kosa, Mark Buchter, Keith Kroeber, Richard C Hart, Gary Suszynski
  • Patent number: 11644811
    Abstract: A method and system for adapting a CNC machine tool path from a nominal workpiece shape to an actual workpiece shape. The method includes defining a grid of feature points on a nominal workpiece shape, where the feature points encompass an area around the machine tool path but do not necessarily include points on the machine tool path. A probe is used to detect locations of the feature points on an actual workpiece. A space mapping function is computed as a transformation from the nominal feature points to the actual feature points, and the function is applied to the nominal tool path to compute a new tool path. The new tool path is used by the CNC machine to operate on the actual workpiece. The feature points are used to characterize the three dimensional shape of the working surface of the actual workpiece, not just a curve or outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Te Tang, Tetsuaki Kato
  • Patent number: 11459134
    Abstract: A thermoforming packaging machine comprises a film source, a forming station, a sealing station and a conveying device. The film source is configured to receive a lower film supply roll and provide a lower film web unwound from the lower film supply roll. The conveying device is configured to convey the lower film web from the film source to the forming station and further to the sealing station. The film source comprises a holding mandrel for receiving thereon the lower film supply roll and a film storage device configured for accommodating a variable length of the lower film web and regulating a film tension of the lower film web. The holding mandrel and the film storage device are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Sebastian Sauter
  • Patent number: 11364733
    Abstract: An ink ribbon feeding mechanism includes a cartridge mounting section, a first paying out rotor which is inserted into a first paying out core when a cartridge is being mounted in the cartridge mounting section, and a plurality of rotor side engaging portions which are provided on the first paying out rotor and which engage with a plurality of core side engaging portions when the first paying out rotor rotates. The rotor side engaging portion has an butting portion. When the cartridge is being mounted in the cartridge mounting section, the core side engaging portion butts against the butting portion, one or the other of the first paying out core and the first paying out rotor rotates, the rotor side engaging portion is inserted into the core side insertion recessed portion. A plurality of the butting portions are provided in positions different from each other in a cartridge mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Ishimoto, Taishi Sasaki, Tomoyuki Kubota
  • Patent number: 11135826
    Abstract: A method of making a pad of labels comprises: printing display information on a top surface of a substrate; affixing a first layer of lamination material to a bottom surface of the substrate; affixing a second layer of lamination material to the top surface of the substrate, the second layer of lamination material having a release coating applied to a top surface thereof; applying an adhesive strip to a bottom surface of the first layer of lamination material, the adhesive strip being covered by a liner material; cutting the substrate having first and second layers of lamination material affixed into at least one label; removing the liner material to expose the adhesive strip after cutting the substrate into at least one label; and arranging the labels into a pad of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC IMAGING SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Browning, Gene Bethards, Scott Aten, Brian LeFevre, Patrick Cross
  • Patent number: 11098691
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing wind turbine rotor blades and components thereof. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an outer surface of a rotor blade panel from one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins. The method also includes printing and depositing at least one reinforcement structure onto an inner surface of the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins to form the rotor blade panel, wherein the reinforcement structure bonds to the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins as the reinforcement structure is being deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Robert Tobin, Stephen Bertram Johnson, Jamie T. Livingston, Alan M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10994492
    Abstract: The present application provides an apparatus and a method of welding a fabric material to a frame including for removable use in a door opening or a window opening. The method includes receiving the frame having an outer edge defining an interior space at a work surface. The fabric material is then extended across the frame, so that the fabric material to be welded to the frame rests on top and covers the interior space of the frame received at the work surface. An activated welding head is then moved across the work surface and the received frame, wherein the activated welding head is moved so as to trace proximate the frame along the outer edge of the frame, thereby adhering the fabric material to the frame at the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Fullick
  • Patent number: 10943205
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating labels are described. A label having particular format and content can be affixed to a parcel depending upon its. Barcodes can be positioned adjacent to one or more of the borders of the label. If, during a shipping workflow, one or more of the barcodes cannot be detected, it can be assumed that the label is damaged or obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Edens, Andrea Frank, Mercia Elizabeth Howard, Daniel Muething
  • Patent number: 10720036
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward P. Ellers, Patrick Claeys, Channing E. Miller
  • Patent number: 10708453
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display and a controller that executes a display processing for displaying at least one print image a first or second manner as a display manner. In the first manner, single-page images each containing a one-page-equivalent print image are arranged in a first direction. In the second manner, at least one plural-page image each containing a plurality of one-page-equivalent print images are arranged in a second direction. The controller executes an obtaining processing for obtaining setting information for printing to be performed by a printer. In the display processing, the controller determines the display manner to one of the first manner and the second manner and displays the print image on the display in accordance with a setting in a specific item for the setting information obtained in the obtaining processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Aiko Mizutani, Ryo Yasui, Jun Komura
  • Patent number: 10627585
    Abstract: A fiber optic adapter includes an adapter body defining a port leading to an alignment structure. The optical adapter also defines a platform disposed at the first port. The platform is recessed inwardly from an outer periphery of the adapter body. The platform includes latching members having catch surfaces. A fiber optic connector includes a connector plug body holding an optical fiber. The connector also includes a latching arm having a latching end that defines two rearwardly facing catch surfaces separated by a central webbing, which extends along a length of the latching arm. The rearwardly facing catch surfaces align with the catch surfaces of the latching members when the fiber optic connector is received at the fiber optic adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Kadar-Kallen, Robert Charles Flaig, Danny Willy August Verheyden
  • Patent number: 10615138
    Abstract: A method for producing a layer including a connecting medium on an assembly partner is provided. The method includes providing a carrier on which the connecting medium is applied. The connecting medium contains a metal in the form of a multiplicity of metal particles. The assembly partner is placed on the connecting medium located on the carrier and pressed onto the connecting medium located on the carrier, so that a layer of the connecting medium adheres to the assembly partner. The assembly partner together with the layer adhering thereto is removed from the carrier. By means of a gas flow, edges of the layer, at which the latter extends laterally beyond the assembly partner, are removed so that a layer residue of the layer remains adhering to the assembly partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nicolas Heuck, Marco Marchitto, Roland Speckels
  • Patent number: 10603849
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a fiber-laying machine for producing laid fiber scrims, including a tool table for feeding a workpiece along a feed direction; a laying head for applying fibers onto the workpiece; and a fiber-providing unit for feeding several fiber strands to the laying head; the several fiber strands are combined on the laying head to form a fiber web which is to be applied onto the workpiece; the laying head is movable in a laying direction relative to the fiber-providing unit; a clamping device is arranged on the laying head for releasably clamping the fiber strands, a portion of the fiber web is laid on the workpiece once the fiber strands have been pulled forward by a laying stroke by means of the laying head such that while the fibers are being applied on the workpiece, no fibers are pulled out of the fiber-providing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Broetje-Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Boge, Matthias Meyer, Axel Peters
  • Patent number: 10518919
    Abstract: An improved packaging system (10) includes a packaging line that guides containers in a downstream direction, a sensor (12) that can identify a dimension of a container on the packaging line, a dunnage dispenser (14) on the packaging line downstream of the sensor to dispense dunnage to a void volume in a container, and a container closer (16) downstream of the dunnage dispenser (14) to close containers on the packaging line downstream of the dunnage dispenser. The container closer (16) includes an adjustable member (20), and is in communication with the sensor to (12) adjust the adjustable member (20) based on the identified dimension of the container. The system thus includes a way to identify the size of the container before the container reaches the container closer. The container closer can adjust for the container's size before the container arrives, speeding up the container closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Daniel L. Carlson, Kevin W. Park, Steven M. Toneff
  • Patent number: 10518350
    Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes: a welding-condition acquirer configured to acquire a welding condition; a heat-input calculator configured to calculate a required heat input corresponding to the welding condition; a frequency setter configured to set a smaller frequency for a short circuit condition and an arc condition corresponding to an increase in the required heat input; and a driver configured to repeatedly perform a process at the frequency, the process including advancing and retreating a welding consumable with respect to a workpiece to generate the short circuit condition and the arc condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Masafumi Murakami, Taichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10486404
    Abstract: A lamination device and a lamination method for attaching a film layer onto a substrate are provided. The lamination device includes a platform configured to carry and deliver a substrate, a layer application member configured to apply the film layer onto a surface of the substrate, a first roller configured to roll on the substrate having the film layer to perform a smoothing and bubble-removing operation, a deformable layer arranged on the first roller and capable of being deformed to change a rolling dot pattern at an outer circumferential surface of the first roller, thereby to enable the rolling dot pattern to match the surface of the substrate, and an alignment mechanism configured to align the substrate with the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yangkun Jing
  • Patent number: 10343343
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the method including: while a lower bandlike member is transported in a transport direction, a process in which a cutting position is determined and an adhesion area is formed by putting adhesive on each side of the cutting position of the lower bandlike member in the transport direction; a process in which elastic members are placed so that a part of each of the elastic members overlaps the adhesion area, the elastic members being stretched in the transport direction; a process in which an upper bandlike member is stacked on and adheres to the lower bandlike member and the elastic member on the adhesion area; a process in which the lower bandlike member and the upper bandlike member are folded on the center in the intersecting direction; a process in which a welded section on which the lower bandlike member and the upper bandlike member are to be welded to each other is formed on each side of the cutting position in the transport direction; a process in which an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Yoshihiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10096568
    Abstract: Disclosed is a die bonding tool comprising: a rigid body; and a collet having a die-holding portion; wherein the collet is mechanically coupled to the rigid body by a flexible element which is configured to angularly deflect relative to the rigid body on application of a torque to the collet and/or to a die held by the collet. Also disclosed is a die bonding system comprising the die bonding tool, and an adhesive dispenser for a die bonding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Kwok Yuen Cheung, Kwok Wah Tong, Jin Hui Meng, Wan Yin Yau, Man Kit Chow
  • Patent number: 10076871
    Abstract: A process, for locating a welding energy director, for effective welding together of multiple workpieces at an area of the director. The director includes positioning a workpiece arrangement in preparation to make approaches, for locating the director, wherein the workpiece arrangement includes a proximate workpiece of the multiple workpieces, a distal workpiece, and the welding director positioned therebetween. The process also includes performing a sub-routine comprising moving a locating implement toward the proximate workpiece. The routine also includes determining whether a push-back force, being received at the locating implement from the workpiece, indicates that the locating implement has been lowered to a local terminal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 10059067
    Abstract: A composite placement machine has a simplified fiber delivery path from a creel to a lay-up table. A carriage is mounted for motion in the Y-axis along the length of an overhead beam. A composite placement head having a shiftable compaction roller is supported by the carriage. A stationary creel at one end of the overhead beam forms a band of composite material having a width that extends in the X-axis. A lay-up table is mounted for motion in the X-axis and rotary motion about a C-axis that is perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The motion of the head in the Y-axis, the shiftable compaction roller, and the motion of the lay-up table X-axis and the C-axis allows the head to apply composite material to the lay-up table in both Y-axis directions in any orientation without twisting the band of composite material relative to the X and Y-axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FIVES MACHINING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Milo Vaniglia, Richard A. Curless, Daniel Allman
  • Patent number: 9969131
    Abstract: An automated ply layup system uses a robot and an end effector for selecting plies from a kit and placing the plies at predetermined locations on a tool by further employing cameras for ply location detection, a laser scanner for detection and ply placement within a location on the tool, and compact sensors for compacting plies onto the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Samra Samak Sangari, Kurtis S. Willden, James M. Cobb, Gary M. Buckus, Carlos Crespo, Samuel F. Pedigo
  • Patent number: 9933247
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a mandrel. A first plurality of transmitting devices is positioned with respect to the mandrel. Signals from a portion of the first plurality of transmitting devices are received at a receiving device. The signals are processed to determine a configuration of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Don Michael Clark, Austin Michael Cangelosi, Li Chun Chang, Deborah E. Errazo
  • Patent number: 9789977
    Abstract: A security kiosk which allows travelers to process themselves through a security checkpoint. An example security kiosk includes an identification device, communications circuitry, a security scanner for examining a traveler and items accompanying the traveler, and a processor for obtaining identification information from the traveler using the identification device, for connecting to a host computer system using the communications circuitry, for determining whether the traveler has previously checked in from the host computer system, for checking in the traveler when the traveler has not previously checked in, for reading a check-in document when the traveler has previously checked in, and for operating the security scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rafael Yepez
  • Patent number: 9731485
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow body including a thermoplastic wall and a fibrous reinforcement welded on at least one portion of the surface of the wall, or its outer surface, the fibrous reinforcement including a thermoplastic similar to or compatible with that of the wall of the hollow body, having a thickness of at least 1 mm and from 30 to 60% in weight of fibers, the method including heating a portion of the outer surface of the hollow body where the reinforcement will be welded; heating the fibrous reinforcement to soften or melt the thermoplastic of the reinforcement; and moving the reinforcement and applying the reinforcement to the portion of the outer surface of the hollow body. The applying the reinforcement includes: applying an initial pressure on at least one portion of the reinforcement; and applying pressure for a final welding using robotized pressure applying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Pierre De Keyzer, Eric Boucaux
  • Patent number: 9623611
    Abstract: A fiber placement system for manufacturing components from composite materials is provided. The system includes a head system mounted to a pedestal and rotatable about a center longitudinal axis of the head system. The system also includes a robot in proximity to the head system, as well as a magazine for carrying a plurality of mold assemblies. The magazine is operable to index each mold assembly to a first location where it is retrievable by the robot, and a second location where it is outside of a working envelope of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 9555654
    Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a tape roll around which a printing medium is wound, a platen roller that has a first fitting portion to be fitted to a drive shaft when the tape cartridge is mounted on a mounting section of a tape printer, and a second fitting portion that is disposed at a center of a tape roll in an axial direction of the tape roll and is fitted to an identification portion when the tape cartridge is mounted on the mounting section of the tape printer. In the tape cartridge, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the mounting section of the tape printer, the second fitting portion is disposed in a depressed portion facing the mounting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Sakano
  • Patent number: 9481135
    Abstract: A method for defining trajectories of fiber on a layup surface, including the definition of a transfer mesh of a transfer surface corresponding to a simplified surface, substantially continuous, of the layup surface, the direction of a fiber at an analysis point of the layup surface, being obtained by: definition of a projected point by normal projection of an analysis point on the transfer mesh, definition of a reference direction at said projected point, definition of the normal to the transfer element, definition of a cutting plane by the projected point, the reference direction and the normal, definition of the line of intersection of the cutting plane with the plane of the element, the direction of the fiber at the analysis point being obtained from this line of intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CORIOLIS SOFTWARE
    Inventor: Olivier Munaux
  • Patent number: 9452565
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic horn, the output amplitude of which can be significantly increased. An ultrasonic horn includes an input-side end section that has an input surface that receives ultrasonic vibration, and an output-side end section having an output surface that outputs ultrasonic vibration to a sheet. The output-side end section has a dimension, in the length direction, over which a side edge portion of a front abdominal section and a side edge portion of a rear dorsal section can be welded in the longitudinal direction, and is branched in a width direction that is perpendicular to the length direction by a slit that extends in the length direction. A pair of surfaces of the output-side end section, positioned on both sides of the slit, functions as the output surface through which the ultrasonic vibration is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiko Fujita, Hideyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9358159
    Abstract: The displacement mechanism includes: an urging mechanism that urges an anvil roller toward an ultrasonic horn in such a manner that output surfaces and a welding surface move closer in the normal direction thereof; and a pressed member that has guide surfaces against which the outer surface of the anvil roller, positioned within non-welding areas, are pressed by an urging force of the urging mechanism, the pressed member being fixed to a sheet holding roller in a state where a pressed surface is disposed within the width-direction range of a slit. In response to the movement of the anvil roller from a welding area to the non-welding areas, the guide surfaces of the pressed member guide the anvil roller in a direction in which the output surfaces and the welding surface move away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiko Fujita, Hideyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9347868
    Abstract: Adhesion testing systems, methods of fabrication, and methods of testing are disclosed. Test systems include test coupons with non-metallic test adherends. Test coupons are configured to test bonds to the non-metallic test adherends under peeling stress and/or shearing stress. Test methods are simplified and rapid as compared to standard adhesion tests and include methods of accelerated environmental testing. Test methods also are adapted for qualitative and quantitative measurement of bond performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Van Voast, Kay Youngdahl Blohowiak, John Christopher Osborne, Marcus Anthony Belcher
  • Patent number: 9333705
    Abstract: Provided is a lightweight anvil roller and an ultrasonic welding device provided therewith. The anvil roller has: a supported section that is rotatably supported by a holding mechanism via a rotary shaft in such a manner that the anvil roller can come into rolling contact with a sheet; an outer peripheral section having a welding surface over which the sheet is welded between the outer peripheral section and an ultrasonic horn during rolling contact with the sheet; a thin section that is formed between the supported section and the outer peripheral section in such a manner that the thickness of the thin section is smaller than the thickness of the outer peripheral section in the axial direction of the rotary shaft; and a vibration proof member provided on the thin section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiko Fujita, Hideyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9102493
    Abstract: In general, the present invention comprises of a control unit with a tape applicator with operative members to selectively actuate sensors of a multiple sensor arrangement each of which is positioned to detect movement or position caused by a carton or the dispensing tape; specifically, the signal caused by the present of the carton; the movement caused by the dispensing tape as the carton being taped, and a further signal actuated based on the size (depletion) of the dispensing tape roll. The detected signals from the sensors are sent to a control unit with a multiple timing circuit or a preprogrammed micro processor with predetermined sequences and time values to generate and emit a correspond alarm signal based on the following control logics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LAMUS ENTERPRISES INC
    Inventor: Joe Augustine Lam
  • Patent number: 9027621
    Abstract: A system comprises a feed assembly for applying composite tape; a unit for forming lateral stripes across a portion of the tape that has been applied; a camera for capturing images of the lateral stripes; and a processor programmed to process the images of the lateral stripes to identify any discontinuities in the tape. Those stripes intersecting any discontinuities will make those discontinuities apparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger W. Engelbart, Reed E. Hannebaum, Timothy Pollock
  • Patent number: 9023160
    Abstract: A launcher assembly includes an outer housing that supports aprons and a nozzle. The nozzle and apron are removable from the base to aid in set up and preparation. Rollers are mounted to ends of the base to aid movement through a sewer pipe. One end of the launcher includes an opening slot for receiving an extended end of the liner. A bladder is banded to a nozzle for inverting the liner. The launcher is held in place by a separately inflatable bellows and pillow. Cameras are mounted to the launcher to provide at least one image on a remote display to aid alignment and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Liqui-Force Sewer Services Inc.
    Inventors: Darcy Warren, John Bartel, Ron Bartel
  • Patent number: 9017497
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing laminated core segments including: a process to blank and laminate, wherein the segment core sheets formed in the adjacent virtual lines are aligned so that directions of the segment core sheets alternate, each of the segment core sheets are blanked and formed by a die device, and the laminated core segments are formed by laminating the blanked segment core sheets in the die device; a process to eject, wherein each of the laminated core segments formed by blanking and laminating in each virtual line is ejected from the die device; and a process to identify a blanking position, wherein the distinguishing marks are provided for the laminated core segments to identify the virtual lines therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui High-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Namaike, Tadashi Shibuta, Akikazu Higuchi, Takeshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9011617
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Asitrade AG
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Alex Mann, Michel Siegenthaler, Philippe Guglielmetti
  • Patent number: 8986475
    Abstract: A transfer label machine has a post treatment station for exposing newly applied labels to heat in order to finish and gloss out the label. The heat is applied through a nozzle coupled to a hot air supply system that includes a blower, ductwork, and a heating element disposed in the airflow. A temperature probe measures temperature of the air flow and an IR sensor measures the resulting temperature of containers on which the labels have been applied. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is programmed with proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithms to control the blower speed and the heating element to provide the appropriate amount of heat for the labeling or processing speed at which the labeling machine is operating. A vision system can confirm the quality of label after the post treatment heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: MCC-Norwood, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Ense, John T. Martin
  • Publication number: 20150075720
    Abstract: The stack manufacturing apparatus includes a first supporting body supply unit which is configured to intermittently unroll a roll sheet-shaped first supporting body and includes one of a pair of tension applying devices capable of applying tension to the unrolled first supporting body; a first adhesive layer formation unit configured to form a first adhesive layer over the first supporting body while the first supporting body supply unit suspends unrolling of the first supporting body; a first bonding unit configured to bond the first supporting body and a sheet-shaped member using the first adhesive layer; and a control unit which is configured to hold an end portion of the first supporting body and includes the other of the pair of tension applying devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Satoshi Seo
  • Patent number: 8980025
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for laminating a first and a second sheet (1, 2) comprising—a chamber (10) having a first, a second and a third compartment (11, 12, 13 resp.) subsequently arranged along a first axis (Z), each compartment having a port (21, 22, 23 resp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Den Brand, Sander Christiaan Broers, Milan Saalmink, Andreas Heinrich Dietzel, Andreas Tanda
  • Publication number: 20150068660
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system, for welding together two workpieces wherein at least one of the workpieces includes a polymeric composite, comprising an energy applicator positioned along an action axis so that, in operation, ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the energy applicator during a welding routine, are transmitted to the workpieces generally at and/or adjacent the axis. The system also includes a primary, course-control, actuator positioned along action axis so that a first load, output by the primary actuator, acts along the system action axis. The system further comprises a secondary, fine-control, actuator positioned along the system action axis so that a second load output, by the secondary actuator, acts along the axis. And the system comprises a controller for providing first command signals and second command signals to the primary actuator and second actuator to control them to effect loads on the workpieces, during the welding routine and along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Jeffrey A. Abell, John Patrick Spicer
  • Patent number: 8968500
    Abstract: A method for joining, by adhesive bonding, at least two large joining partners in vehicle construction, in particular in aircraft construction, comprises the following steps: detecting the geometric data of the joining partners in an automated manner, detecting the joint gap dimensions of the joining partners from the geometric data, applying adhesive to one or both joint faces of the two joining partners to be joined as a function of the joint gap dimensions, joining the joining partners in the joining position, and sequentially applying joining pressure to the joint faces along the joint gap to bring the joining partners into the final joining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Niermann, Holger Frauen
  • Publication number: 20150050444
    Abstract: Two film webs (1), (2) (in each case transfer film or laminating film) with a carrier film (11) and decorative layer (14), in particular metal layer and/or color layer (14), are to be joined to each other. Instead of using a conventional adhesive tape with cold-setting adhesive as hitherto, in the present case a hot-melt adhesive or an adhesive which can be cured using (UV) radiation is used. For example, using hot stamping, a carrier (63) with a PET layer (64) and an adhesive (65) can be applied which joins together two film webs (1, 2) which are in abutment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Bernet, Fabian Arnold, Volker Oestreich
  • Patent number: 8940113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus utilizing distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to monitor the temperature of a cured-in-place pipe liner to determine if proper curing temperatures and times are achieved. More particularly, an optical fiber is placed between the pipe and the liner running the entire length of the liner. The optical fiber is coupled to a DTS unit. During curing of the liner, the DTS unit sends light pulses down the fiber from one end and detects the characteristics and time delay of light backscattered to the unit. The characteristics are indicative of the temperature of the optical fiber, while the delay is indicative of the round trip time of the light within the fiber, and thus the distance from the DTS unit from which any particular backscatter signal originated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Envirosight LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lindner, Stephen Vincent Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20150013892
    Abstract: A composite automation method and apparatus for the generation of short path course application of a composite lamina is realized by reconfiguring the functional mechanisms of the fiber placement head. Separating the fiber advance and retract functions, nesting the activation cylinders, and making use of push only activation results in a simplified, compact AFP delivery head. Uniform cutting is provided by a circular configuration fiber cutting blade, were at activation the blade both provides a progressive cutting force and rotates to providing a new cutting edge, and requires limited cutting edge guidance as all orientations cut equally well. The mechanism nested in functions and placed in close proximity to the compaction roller reduces the overall fiber course to the application point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Perry T. HORST, Brice A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8905103
    Abstract: A tool defines a piston/cylinder with first and second chambers on either side of the piston. A sealable port couples the first chamber to ambient environment. One end of the tool (i) defines a volume that is open to ambient environment, and (ii) has a cartridge coupled thereto such that the volume remains open to ambient environment. The cartridge defines (i) a chamber filled with a meltable material, and (ii) a channel coupling the material-filled chamber to ambient environment. A melting device in thermal communication with the meltable material simultaneously heats an air/water mixture in the second chamber and melts the meltable material. An element releasably coupled to the tool spans a region within the cartridge that lies within the channel. The element incorporates a check valve separating the volume defined by the tool and ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert D. Conner
  • Publication number: 20140352891
    Abstract: An electromagnetic inductive heating device is described for bonding a sheet to anchoring members comprising a conductive base and a thermoplastic resin layer, characterized by bonding the anchoring members to the sheet by heat deposition of the thermoplastic resin layer by heating of the conductive base. The device can include: a heating means for heating the conductive base via the sheet by electromagnetic induction; a temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the sheet; and a heating time setting means for setting heating time by the heating means according to the temperature of the sheet. The electromagnetic inductive heating device can bond the anchoring members and the sheet even if there are large temperature changes in a covering surface due to seasons, weather, etc., and can reliably anchor a sheet, uniformly and without unevenness, to all anchoring members even if time is required to lay down the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Soichi Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20140352885
    Abstract: A method of blocking a lens member having a surface to be manufactured on a lens holding unit, the method comprising: a lens member providing step during which a lens member comprising engraved markings is provided, a contrast providing step during which contrast elements are placed on the engraved markings, a taping step during which the marked surface of the lens member is taped with an adhesive tape over the contrast elements, and a blocking step during which the lens member is blocked on a lens holding unit via the taped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Reignault, Pascal Le Bouillonnec