Roll, Ring, Or Hollow Body Patents (Class 205/73)
  • Patent number: 11905031
    Abstract: A method of measuring airflow velocity using an integrated heating airspeed tube where the integrated heating airspeed tube has a tube body and a heating component. The tube body is provided with a heating cavity, the heating component is located inside the heating cavity, and the heating component and the tube body are integrally formed. The heating component and at least two static pressure air inlet channels are physically separate but overlap in a lengthwise directly within a horizontal portion of the airspeed tube. The tube body integrally forms the static pressure air inlet channel, the dynamic pressure air inlet channel, the heating cavity, the dynamic pressure air inlet hole, and the static pressure air inlet hole as a unitary one-piece structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 11898702
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport container for helium, comprising an inner container for receiving the helium, an insulation element that is provided on the exterior of the inner container, a coolant container for receiving a cryogenic liquid, an outer container in which the inner container and the coolant container are received, and a thermal shield which can be actively cooled with the aid of the cryogenic liquid and in which the inner container is received, wherein a peripheral gap is provided between the insulation element and the thermal shield, and said insulation element comprises an electrodeposited copper layer that faces the thermal shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Linde GmbM
    Inventors: Heinz Posselt, Jürgen Bichlmeier
  • Patent number: 11780602
    Abstract: An integrated heating airspeed tube and an unmanned aerial vehicle where the integrated heating airspeed tube has a tube body and a heating component. The tube body is provided with a heating cavity, the heating component is located inside the heating cavity, and the heating component and the tube body are integrally formed. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes the integrated heating airspeed tube as described above. The integrated heating airspeed tube and the unmanned aerial vehicle are heated in the tube body through the heating component, so that the heating removes liquid, effectively preventing liquid from blocking the integrated heating airspeed tube, and meeting the using requirements in severe weather. At the same time, the integrated heating structure design is higher in reliability and is not easy to cause operation failure, and saves the assembly cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 11383302
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a component of a heat exchanger comprises introducing a feed material comprising a first portion including a matrix material and a second portion including a sacrificial material on a surface of a substrate, exposing at least the first portion to energy to form bonds between particles of the matrix material and form a first thickness of a structure, introducing additional feed material comprising the first portion over the first thickness of the structure, exposing the additional feed material to energy to form a second thickness of the structure, and removing the sacrificial material from the structure to form at least one channel in the structure. Related heat exchangers and components, and related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Isabella J. Van Rooyen, Piyush Sabharwall
  • Patent number: 10947633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an electrocast belt which method ensures long-term use of an electrocasting bath and which method enables provision of an electrocast belt having a required product quality even when an electrocasting bath that has been used in electrolysis with a large cumulative amount of electricity. The method includes a first step of producing an electrocast belt having a required product quality in an electrocasting bath of a specific composition until a predetermined period of time has elapsed; a second step of subsequently producing an electrocast belt in the same electrocasting bath; and a third step of polishing a surface of the electrocast belt produced from the second step so that the electrocast belt produced from the third step has a product quality equivalent to that of the electrocast belt produced from the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: NOK CORPORATION, SYNZTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Sugiyama, Akira Nishida, Masaya Suzuki, Minoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 10900136
    Abstract: Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of additively manufacturing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process such that a geometry of the component-defining surface region is transferred to the body layer. The tooling structure is chemically dissolved, thermally decomposed, or otherwise removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Qiang Li, Gangmin Cao
  • Patent number: 10731486
    Abstract: A method of forming a strengthened component includes providing a duct body having an interior surface and an exterior surface forming a fluid passageway. The method also includes forming an attachment structure over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the duct body, where the attachment structure can include a metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Schmitt, Emily Marie Phelps, Gordon Tajiri
  • Patent number: 10286418
    Abstract: To provide a mist spraying device (1) capable of easily resolving clogging of micropores when they are clogged. The present invention provides a mist spraying device (1) including: a vibration plate (6) having an atomization part in which multiple micropores are formed; a vibration generator (10) for vibrating the vibration plate (6); and a supply part for supplying a liquid to the atomization part (8), the liquid supplied to the atomization part (8) being atomized by vibration of the vibration plate (6) and sprayed, wherein the mist spraying device further includes a heating element (12), and the heating element (12) serves to warm the atomization part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Yuichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10196750
    Abstract: Electroformed housings for electronic devices and methods for making the same are provided. An electronic device is provided having at least one electronic part and an electroformed housing constructed from a metal that encloses the at least one electronic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Peter N. Russell-Clarke
  • Patent number: 9663233
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises composite skin having an opening, and a ventilation conduit having an end portion that extends to the opening in the composite skin. The conduit is made of metal except for the end portion, which functions as an electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Julie K. Plessner, Douglas D. Maben, Daniel F. Lewinski, George A. McEachen, Mark E. Smith, Michael L. Trent, Richard K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9486340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent blank from a first material, the stent blank comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, each crown connecting at least two struts, and a plurality of slots in at least some of the plurality of struts and/or the plurality of crowns, depositing a second material over outer surfaces of the struts and the crowns and in the slots to encase the stent blank in the second material, creating at least one opening through the second material, and removing the first material to form a stent comprising the second material, the stent having a continuous lumen from one end of the stent to the other end of the stent, the continuous lumen being partitioned in portions corresponding to the locations of the slots in the stent blank. The lumen may then be filled with a therapeutic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Dolan, Stuart Kari, Christopher W. Storment
  • Patent number: 9360114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated O-ring for forming a seal, in which the core of the O-ring comprises a polymer and/or synthetic rubber, and the coating comprises an inorganic coating with a thickness between 10 nm and 1 ?m, resulting in an O-ring that shows a lower permeation than an uncoated O-ring and where the coating shows little or no cracking when the local curvature of the O-ring in any direction is changed by 20%. The coating is preferably applied by Atomic Layer Deposition, but also other deposition techniques such as (PE)CVD, E-beam evaporation, and reactive evaporation may be used. A further elastomer layer may cover the one or more coating layers for further mechanical and/or chemical protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Petrus Hubertus Franciscus Trompenaars
  • Patent number: 9120113
    Abstract: A tank body 100 includes a liquid receiving part 2 for receiving processing solution Q applied to a plate-like work 10 and a liquid retaining part 4 for retaining liquids to be applied to the plate-like work 10 and a liquid outflowing part 6 for causing a flow of the processing solution Q which is spilled out of the liquid retaining part 4 and traveled down toward the plate-like work 10, wherein a tip 6a of the liquid outflowing part 6 is projected from a connecting part 5 connecting to the liquid retaining part 4 (or the liquid receiving part 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Hotta, Hisamitsu Yamamoto, Masayuki Utsumi, Takahiro Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20140364895
    Abstract: A medical flow restrictor that may be used to exclude a saccular aneurysm from the circulatory system. The device, a thin walled, foil-like shell, is compacted for delivery. The invention includes the device, electroforming fabrication methods, delivery assemblies, and methods of placing, and using, the device. A device with an aneurysm lobe and an artery lobe self-aligns its waist at the neck of an aneurysm as the device shell is pressure expanded. Negative pressure is used to collapse both the aneurysm lobe and the artery lobe, captivating the neck of the aneurysm and securing the device. The device works for aneurysms at bifurcations and aneurysms near side-branch arteries. The device, unlike endovascular coiling, excludes the weak neck of the aneurysm from circulation, while leaving the aneurysm relatively empty. Unlike stent-based exclusion, the device does not block perforator arteries. This exclusion device can also limit flow through body lumens or orificers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Richard A. Hines
  • Patent number: 8764959
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sheath for protecting an airfoil component includes the steps of establishing an electro-forming solution having cobalt and phosphorus and electro-forming the sheath with a composition that includes the cobalt and the phosphorus using the electro-forming solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Blair A. Smith, Aaron T. Nardi
  • Publication number: 20140162870
    Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for fabrication of microtube engines using membrane template electrodeposition. Such nanomotors operate based on bubble-induced propulsion in biological fluids and salt-rich environments. In one aspect, fabricating microengines includes depositing a polymer layer on a membrane template, depositing a conductive metal layer on the polymer layer, and dissolving the membrane template to release the multilayer microtubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Joseph Wang, Wei Gao, Sirilak Sattayasamitsathit
  • Publication number: 20140158543
    Abstract: An ordering structure scintillator of scintillator and fabrication method is disclosed. The ordering structure scintillator of scintillator comprises: a tubular template, which consists of a plurality of thin film oxidized metal tubes; a plurality of scintillators, filled in the thin film oxidized metal tubes; and a package layer, formed on the surface of the tubular template for protecting the tubular template. In addition, through the fabrication method, the ordering structure scintillator of scintillator can be made by anodic treatment and die casting technology with low cost and rapid production; moreover, the film oxidized metal tubes of the tubular template can be further manufactured to nano tubes by adjusting electrolyte composition, electrolysis voltage, and processing time of anodic treatment, and the aperture size, the thickness and the vessel density of the nano tube can be controlled and ranged from 10 nm to 500 nm, 0.1 ?m to 1000 ?m, and 108 to 1012 tube/cm2, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chien-Chon Chen, Deng-Horng Tsai, Ker-Jer Huang, Soon-Lin Chen, Tsan-Nan Yang
  • Publication number: 20140102605
    Abstract: An energetic composite having a plurality of reactive particles each having a reactive multilayer construction formed by successively depositing reactive layers on a rod-shaped substrate having a longitudinal axis, dividing the reactive-layer-deposited rod-shaped substrate into a plurality of substantially uniform longitudinal segments, and removing the rod-shaped substrate from the longitudinal segments, so that the reactive particles have a controlled, substantially uniform, cylindrically curved or otherwise rod-contoured geometry which facilitates handling and improves its packing fraction, while the reactant multilayer construction controls the stability, reactivity and energy density of the energetic composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: The Johns Hopkins University
  • Publication number: 20140093384
    Abstract: A method of forming a complex shaped part includes the steps of forming a polymer core by an additive manufacturing process. A metal is plated about surfaces of the polymer core, and the polymer core is removed, leaving hollows within a plate core. Metal powder is deposited within the hollows. An integral blade rotor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Wendell V. Twelves, Grant O. Cook, III, Robert P. Delisle, Agnes Klucha, William J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20140083494
    Abstract: Provided are a method of forming metal oxide nanotube and a dye-sensitized solar cell formed thereby. The method may include providing a metal electrode and a counter electrode in an electrolyte containing a negatively polarized surfactant, and applying voltages to the metal electrode and the counter electrode to form a metal oxide nanotube on the metal electrode. The metal oxide nanotube may have a (001)-plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Mi Hee JUNG, Moo Jung Chu, Mangu Kang
  • Patent number: 8636485
    Abstract: A method for use in producing a stator for a progressing cavity apparatus which includes the use of electroforming to produce the stator tube. A stator tube for a progressing cavity apparatus which is produced using electroforming and a stator for a progressing cavity apparatus which includes a stator tube produced using electroforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joe Steele
  • Publication number: 20140012363
    Abstract: What is disclosed are medical devices comprising a rounded, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (“ballstent”) and a flexible, elongated delivery device (“delivery catheter”) and systems and methods of use for treating saccular vascular aneurysms with the medical devices. Ballstents comprised of gold, platinum, or silver that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, and expanded to conform to the shape of the aneurysm are disclosed. The external surface of ballstents can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the wall of the ballstent in order to seal the aneurysm and fix the ballstent in place in the aneurysm. The wall of the ballstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules, such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Novita Therapeutics, LLC
    Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Katherine J. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 8512539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (3) of fabricating a mould (39, 39?, 39?) that includes the following steps: a) providing (10) a substrate (9, 9?) that has a top layer (21, 21?) and a bottom layer (23, 23?) made of electrically conductive, micromachinable material, and secured to each other by an electrically insulating, intermediate layer (22, 22?); b) etching (11, 12, 14, 2, 4) at least one pattern (26, 26?, 27) in the top layer (21, 21?) as far as the intermediate layer (22, 22?) to form at least one cavity (25, 25?) in said mould; c) coating (6, 16) the top part of said substrate with an electrically insulating coating (30, 30?); d) directionally etching (8, 18) said coating and said intermediate layer to limit the presence thereof exclusively at each vertical wall (31, 31?, 33) formed in said top layer. The invention concerns the field of micromechanical parts, in particular, for timepiece movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nivarox-FAR S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Cusin, Clare Golfier, Jean-Philippe Thiebaud
  • Publication number: 20130045416
    Abstract: Synthesis of gold microtubes and nanotubes suspendable in solution is presented. The synthesis is accomplished using an AAO template route, wherein a polymer tube is used as a sacrificial core. The synthesis produces hollow structures that consist of only gold. These nanostructures exhibit two SPR modes, which correspond to both the transverse and longitudinal modes. The mode assignment was confirmed by measuring SPR behavior as both aligned arrays and in solution. The performance of gold nanotubes as refractive index detectors was quantified and determined to be more sensitive than analogous solid nanorods prepared under identical conditions, and are among the most sensitive nanostructured plasmon sensors to date. Due to their intense and sensitive resonances in the NIR spectrum, these solution-suspendable nanoparticles have potential to be used as in vitro or in vivo sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Dwight S. SEFEROS, Colin BRIDGES, Paul DICARMINE
  • Patent number: 8287713
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water-cooled heat sink having an integrated structure, and having inside a precise, freely formed flow path, the water-cooled heat sink being produced without using a technique for pasting a plurality of metal sheets. In a water-cooled heat sink 1, a formed body 2 is provided outwardly, a flow path 3 for passage of a liquid is formed inwardly of the formed body 2, and an inlet 5 and an outlet 4 for the liquid, which communicate with the flow path 3, are formed in the main body of the heat sink 1. The entire formed body 2 of the heat sink 1 is integrally formed by thick coating layers applied by electroplating, and has no joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tecnisco, Ltd.
    Inventors: Houkichi Yoshioka, Takahisa Yoshimura, Tohru Natsume
  • Publication number: 20120255863
    Abstract: A system and method to form beam tunnels in interaction circuits. Forms, such as fibers or sheets can be located and secured above a substrate at a desired size and desired shape to form the final shape of the beam tunnels. Fiber holders can be utilized to position the forms above the substrate. A photoresist can then be applied over the substrate embedding the forms. A single exposure LIGA process can be performed on the photoresist, including the steps of ultraviolet photolithography, molding, and electroforming. After the process, the forms can be removed to leave the beam tunnels in the interaction circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Colin D. Joye
  • Publication number: 20120186983
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a bearing member having a highly accurate dynamic pressure generating portion stably at low cost. Dynamic pressure grooves (8a1) and (8a2) are formed as the dynamic pressure generating portions on an inner circumferential surface of the electroforming portion (10) by an electroforming process, and injection molding is performed by using a resin while inserting the electroforming portion (10), thereby forming a bearing member (8). A shaft member (2) is inserted into an inner circumference of the bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Natsuhiko MORI, Nobuyoshi YAMASHITA, Fuminori SATOJI, Isao KOMORI, Toshiyuki MIZUTANI, Masafumi OKUMA, Kenichi MITANI
  • Publication number: 20120172843
    Abstract: A deflectable, flexible device includes an elongate body, a convoluted tip portion at a distal end of the elongate body, and a lumen to receive one or more wires. The convoluted tip portion includes an electroformed pleated region which is formed by electrodepositing a metal on a mandrel having a pleated region. The convoluted tip portion may be hermetically sealed to permit repeated sterilization. The electroformed pleated region may include one or more fluid emission orifices. The convoluted tip portion extends or bends in response to fluid pressure manipulation, contact with tissue, manipulation with an internal spring or wire, or by a user pushing, pulling, or twisting the catheter directly or via an introducer sheath or the like. The convoluted tip portion may further include an RF ablation element or other energy-driven technique to create continuous linear lesions or a sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Stephen A. Morse
  • Publication number: 20120061243
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sheath for protecting an airfoil component includes the steps of establishing an electro-forming solution having cobalt and phosphorus and electro-forming the sheath with a composition that includes the cobalt and the phosphorus using the electro-forming solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Blair A. Smith, Aaron T. Nardi
  • Publication number: 20110272283
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an electrocast tube having a fine inner diameter, and an electrocast tube. It also provides a thin wire material for production of an electrocast tube having a fine inner diameter. An electrocast tube producing method comprising the steps of forming an elecrtodeposit around a thin wire material (30) by electrocasting, and removing the thin wire material (30) from the electrodeposit, wherein the thin wire material (30) is removed either by heating the electrodeposit for thermal expansion or by cooling the thin wire material (30) for contraction, so as to form a clearance between the electrodeposit and the thin wire material (30), followed by gripping and pulling, or sucking the thin wire material (30) or physically pushing it away or blowing gas or liquid to push it away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Tokuji Oda, Yutaka Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20110120872
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an electrocast tube having a fine inner diameter, and an electrocast tube. It also provides a thin wire material for production of an electrocast tube having a fine inner diameter. An electrocast tube producing method comprising the steps of forming an elecrtodeposit around a thin wire material (30) by electrocasting, and removing the thin wire material (30) from the electrodeposit, wherein the thin wire material (30) is removed either by heating the electrodeposit for thermal expansion or by cooling the thin wire material (30) for contraction, so as to form a clearance between the electrodeposit and the thin wire material (30), followed by gripping and pulling, or sucking the thin wire material (30) or physically pushing it away or blowing gas or liquid to push it away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: LUZCOM INC.
    Inventors: Tokuji Oda, Yutaka Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7914879
    Abstract: An endless fusing thick belt for an electrographic imaging device having a flexible tubular configuration of predetermined diameter, said endless fusing thick belt comprising; an outside surface toner release layer comprised of a coating and a sleeve; a silicone rubber layer positioned inside said outside surface toner release layer; a rigid material layer positioned inside said silicone rubber layer; and a silicone base layer positioned inside and affixed to the internal surface of said polyimide layer using an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jichang Cao, Scott Shiaoshin Wu
  • Patent number: 7794634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing nanotubes from coaxial jets of immiscible liquids or poorly-miscible liquids. The purpose of the invention is to produce hollow fibers (nanotubes) or composite fibers having diameters ranging from a few micras to tens of nanometers and comprising walls, in the case of nanotubes, with a thickness ranging from hundreds of nanometers to a few nanometers. The inventive nanotube-formation method involves the generation of coaxial nanojets of two liquids using electrohydrodynamic technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad de Malaga
    Inventors: Antonio Barrero Ripoll, Ignacio Gonzáles Loscertales, Manuel Márquez Sánchez
  • Patent number: 7785459
    Abstract: Low cost methods for fabricating microneedles are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the fabrication method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a metal-containing seed layer on the top surface of the substrate; forming a nonconductive pattern on a portion of the seed layer; plating a first metal on the seed layer and over the edge of the nonconductive pattern to create a micromold with an opening that exposes a portion of the nonconductive pattern; plating a second metal onto the micromold to form a microneedle in the opening; separating the micromold with the microneedle formed therein from the seed layer and the nonconductive pattern; and selectively etching the micromold so as to release the microneedle. In another embodiment, the micromold is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ramesh S/O Govinda Raju, Ming-Li Tan, Yusua Agabus, Patricia A. Beck
  • Patent number: 7400697
    Abstract: A rhenium lined niobium alloy tube for use as a clad tube for nuclear fuel in a nuclear reactor. The tube is produced by an electro deposit process. A graphite mandrel is placed in the electro deposit chamber as the cathode material. Refined rhenium stock is used as the anode material. The chamber is filled with the chloride electrolyte. The chamber is closed and the electrolyte bath is heated. Current and voltage applied across the anode and cathode cause the rhenium to be deposited on the mandrel. Refined niobium alloy is then used as the anode material and applied over the rhenium on the mandrel to a desired thickness. The part is removed from the chamber and ground to the desired outside diameter. The graphite mandrel is removed from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: BWX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Carmack, Lewis C. Hartless, Jeffrey A. Halfinger
  • Publication number: 20080165912
    Abstract: A rhenium lined niobium alloy tube for use as a clad tube for nuclear fuel in a nuclear reactor. The tube is produced by an electro deposit process. A graphite mandrel is placed in the electro deposit chamber as the cathode material. Refined rhenium stock is used as the anode material. The chamber is filled with the chloride electrolyte. The chamber is closed and the electrolyte bath is heated. Current and voltage applied across the anode and cathode cause the rhenium to be deposited on the mandrel. Refined niobium alloy is then used as the anode material and applied over the rhenium on the mandrel to a desired thickness. The part is removed from the chamber and ground to the desired outside diameter. The graphite mandrel is removed from the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: William J. Carmack, Lewis C. Hartless, Jeffrey A. Halfinger
  • Patent number: 7216420
    Abstract: A print head manufacturing method in which satisfactory precision can be obtained by simple processes are provided. Projecting objects having a predetermined shape are formed on a substrate, and a setting resin is applied on the substrate and is set. Then, the projecting objects are removed so that ink cells and nozzles are formed. The thickness of the setting resin is determined such that tip portions of the projecting objects project above the setting resin and ink cells can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Tomita, Koichi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7215916
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide an endless metal belt superior in flexing resistance and durability, to provide a fixing belt using the endless metal belt, and to provide a heat fixing device with high durability and high reliability. The objects are achieved by the endless metal belt formed of a nickel alloy containing 5% by weight or more of an additional metallic element and having a half-value width of an X-ray diffraction peak in a range of 0.5 degrees to 2 degrees for each of a crystal plane and a crystal plane, and by using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Kishino, Yaomin Zhou, Kohji Sasaki, Junichi Takahashi, Makoto Miyagi, Nobuhiro Arai
  • Patent number: 7083332
    Abstract: The objective is to offer a connector component for multi-core optical fiber, or an assembly of ferrules, having high precision ferrules in concentricity, circularity, axial linearity, and spacing distance, as well as to offer a method of manufacturing the same at a reduced cost. The connector (or ferrules) is featured by its manufacturing method including thermal-spraying or electroforming is applied, using a resin or a metal, to a plurality of cylinder-shaped ferrules, under the condition that projections which are positioned opposite each other of a positioning member are fitted and nipped to both ends of insertion holes of the cylinder-shaped ferrules so that each ferrule is properly positioned and the central axes are parallel to each other at specified positions so that the plurality of cylinder-shaped ferrules are coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Takahiko Mukouda
  • Patent number: 7022417
    Abstract: A metal belt of the present invention is formed to be endless by electroforming, has a crystal orientation in which a crystal orientation ratio I(200)/I(111) is not less than 80 and not more than 250, mainly contains nickel, and has an excellent durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nitto Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Takagi, Goki Inukai
  • Patent number: 6915821
    Abstract: A small diameter metal tube whose inner surface is smooth and its production method are provided. The metal tube has an inner diameter of up to 1.0 mm and its inner surface has a maximum height difference (Rf) in the surface roughness of up to 3 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha, Okano Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ooyauchi, Masayuki Okano
  • Patent number: 6883552
    Abstract: A small diameter metal tube having at least two inner diameters is provided. A method for producing this metal tube is also provided. In this method, a plate member having a development shape of the metal tube is blanked from a metal thin plate so that the plate member is left partly tied to the metal thin plate, the plate member is press formed into a tubular body having the at least two inner diameters, and the plate member partly tied to the metal thin plate is cut apart to produce the metal tube having at least two inner diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignees: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha, Okano Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ooyauchi, Masayuki Okano
  • Publication number: 20040258860
    Abstract: An electroforming apparatus and an electroforming method that are capable of performing high-precision electroforming are provided. An electroforming tank 1 accommodated in an outer tank 2 is continuously supplied with an electrolyte 3 from a control tank 5, and electroforming is carried out in an overflow layer 10 of electrolyte 3 formed over the electroforming tank 1. A bus 25 for electroforming that is retained by a retaining jig 30 is carried along the overflow layer 10 by a jig transfer device 20. The electrolyte 3 overflowing the electroforming tank 1 is collected into a control tank 5 from the outer tank 2 and supplied to the electroforming tank 1 again after being filtered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Tokuji Oda, Yutaka Itikawa
  • Publication number: 20040222099
    Abstract: A method of producing metal ferrules and an apparatus therefore, wherein metal ferrules are produced with high productivity and high dimensional accuracy by arranging a plurality of long-sized core wires. A metal ferrule producing method and apparatus, characterized in that a jig for receiving a metal to be electroformed is placed in an electroforming tank, a holding unit in which a plurality of core wire holder for holding core wires are held in circumferential array is installed in the electroforming tank, and the core wire holders and the holding unit are rotatable on their respective axes. It is preferable that the resistivity of the core wires be 5×10−6 &OHgr;cm or less. A core wire plated within a thin layer of metal having a resistivity of 5×10−6 &OHgr;cm or less may be used. Further, it is advisable to provide a conductive electric discharge body on the front end of the core wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuo Tanaka, Yoshinari Kohno
  • Patent number: 6754953
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal ferrules used as connector elements for optical fibers is characterized such that, by growth-guidance of an internal-diameter formation member whose external diameter is the same as the internal diameter of the metal ferrule to be manufactured, while a tube-shaped electroformed layer having an internal hole is being grown on the cathode side of an electroforming cistern, the electroformed layer is continuously lifted from the electroforming cistern at a specified speed. In the process of lifting the cylindrical electroformed layer while growing it, the cylindrical electroformed layer that has grown to a prescribed external diameter is cut to prescribed dimensions outside the electroforming cistern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Takahiko Mukouda
  • Patent number: 6730207
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule includes the steps of electroforming on a metallic wire used as a mother mold to produce an elongated cylindrical rod, by providing grooves on the circumferential surface of the rod, breaking the groove portion and drawing the wire, and machining the rod with respect to at least length and size (diameter), such that the method omits the step of sealing the wire with an electric insulator and an elongated electroformed rod can be manufactured and variation in sizes of diameter and off-center failure are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hikari Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Okamoto, Hisashi Ooshima
  • Patent number: 6712522
    Abstract: A cylindrical sleeve connector for mounting ferrules retaining optical fibers therein is formed with a plurality of perforations arranged in a given pattern so as to be elastically deformable within in a specified elastic region. The sleeve connector is produced, using electroforming process, on a cylindrical electroforming mandrel comprising a conductive rod with external surface texture that is equivalent to required internal surface texture of the sleeve connector and a non-conductive layer formed on the conductive rod so as to provide non-conductive segments identical in configuration with the perforations and arranged in conformity with the given pattern of perforations of the cylindrical sleeve connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Oudensha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Watanabe, Kenji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040037510
    Abstract: An operation for removing a core wire during the manufacture of an electrodeposited layer of a metal ferrule for an optical fiber is omitted, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced. Various corrections are applied while measuring the concentricity and circularity of the inside diameter and outside diameter of an electrodeposited layer during manufacture of an electrodeposited layer of a ferrule for an optical fiber, so that precision of the concentricity and circularity of the inside diameter and the outside diameter of the electrodeposited layer is improved. The objective of the present invention is to provide—using the ferrules—a connector that is excellent in connection performance and that enables construction of an optical system having many channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Takahiko Mukouda
  • Publication number: 20040004000
    Abstract: A method of producing a hollow metal member and an apparatus for producing the same wherein a hollow metal member has uniform thickness of the electrodeposited metal material on the core wires, uniform outer diameter and high accuracy of roundness and coaxiality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: O'LINK Technology LLC
    Inventor: Akira Kenjo
  • Publication number: 20030094371
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule comprising the steps of electroforming on a wire such as a metallic wire used as a mother mold to produce an elongated cylindrical rod, by providing grooves 7 on the circumferential surface of the rod, breaking the groove portion and drawing the wire, and machining the rod with respect to at least length and size (diameter). An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a ferrule that can improve productivity and quality by omitting the step of sealing the wire with an electric insulator or the like whereby an elongated electroformed rod can be manufactured and variation in sizes of diameter and off-center failure are decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Shinichi Okamoto, Hisashi Ooshima