By Vibratory Or Oscillatory Movement Patents (Class 29/407.07)
  • Patent number: 9394852
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine that has at least a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section disposed along a central axis. A fan is coupled to be driven by the turbine section. A fan nacelle is arranged around the fan, and a bypass passage extends between the fan nacelle and the core engine. A variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) extends at least partially around the central axis and defines an exit area of the bypass passage. The VAFN is selectively movable to vary the exit area. The VAFN includes a body that defines an airfoil cross-section shape. The VAFN includes a wall that has a mechanical property distribution in accordance with a computer-simulated vibration profile of a flutter characteristic of the VAFN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver V. Atassi, Oleg Petrenko
  • Patent number: 9027218
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for finding part position relations of parts of mechanical and opto-mechanical machining and quality control systems, and for recognizing these parts, is disclosed. The present invention relies on optical contactless sensing technology, with recording of optical fiducial patterns and therefrom determining positions close to the work positions without physical contact. Part positions of machines are determined by associating or mechanically integrating fiducial patterns (1) with key parts, and optically detecting the images of these patterns. Part positions and displacements according to given part position finder (6) strategies are found, by associating fiducial pattern images (14) and machine position data (17) to parts that are members of a part geometry relation (15), and under part displacement constraints (16), finding given part positions or displacements (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Gudmunn Slettemoen
  • Patent number: 8932431
    Abstract: Disks stuck together in a stack are separated by placing the disks on a shaft of a vibratory apparatus and vibrating the shaft to vibrate the disks by contact of the disks with the vibrating shaft to separate them and also constrain the disks with the shaft as the disks are vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo Coto, Richard K. Buckley, Glenn Doud, Fernando Aguilera Galicia
  • Publication number: 20140360452
    Abstract: A method for producing a hollow valve of an internal combustion engine may include providing a hollow valve stem, a valve cone, and a valve bottom; pushing the valve cone over the valve stem via a press fit, wherein the valve cone includes an outer surface transitioning to the valve stem to define a testing surface; and welding the valve cone to the valve stem via at least one of a laser beam and an electron beam, wherein the welding occurs such that no melting of the outer surface in the region of the testing surface of the valve cone occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Kroos, Christoph Luven, Alexander Mueller, Alexander Puck
  • Publication number: 20140352148
    Abstract: A method is provided of non-destructively inspecting titanium alloy articles in the as-cast condition using ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws, comprising modification of grain structure in the as-solidified ingot structure by the addition of trace boron to various titanium alloys. The ability to ultrasonically inspect as-cast billets combined with improved hot workability provided by trace boron enhancement permits an economical method of manufacture of titanium alloy articles destined for high performance applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: RTI International Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Sesh Tamirisakandala
  • Patent number: 8776342
    Abstract: A module for on-line vibration detection and adjustment and machining center using the same are provided in the present invention, wherein the module is disposed at the machining center having an interface of feedrate override and an interface of spindle override and the inverter. The module comprises at least one vibration sensor for detecting the vibrating status of the machining center, thereby generating corresponding at least one sensing signal and a processor for processing the at least one sensing signal so as to generate a spindle adjusting signal for the interface of spindle override and the inverter and a feedrate adjusting signal for the interface of the federate override. The computer numerical controller receives the spindle adjusting signal and the feedrate adjusting signal from the interface of the spindle override and federate override respectively and accordingly controls the feedrate and spindle rate of the machining center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsin Kuo, Chun-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8732927
    Abstract: A load coupling device for a power train including: a rotatable shaft; a first flange on a first end of the shaft, wherein the first flange is adapted to couple to a first rotating shaft of at a torque producing turbine or a torque driven electrical generator; a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to couple to a second rotating shaft of the other of the turbine and the generator, and an annular ring extending radially outward from the first flange, wherein the mass of the annular ring is selected to shift a torsional natural frequency of the power train away from an operational condition of the power train. Trim masses may be added to make fine adjustments to the torsional natural frequency of the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, George Kaliope, Paul Stukenborg
  • Publication number: 20140007398
    Abstract: High precision work is performed on a work target (workpiece) during conveyance, irrespective of the oscillations accompanying conveyance. A work method includes steps of: predicting a predicted oscillation pattern occurring in a workpiece (W) afterwards from the measurement results of oscillation occurring in the workpiece (W) during conveyance by way of a workpiece conveyance device (2); controlling a robot (131) so as to operate at an oscillation according to the predicted oscillation pattern thus predicted; detecting oscillation occurring in the robot (131) during the step of controlling; and comparing the oscillation occurring in the robot (131) with the predicted oscillation pattern, and in the case of differing, adjusting so that the oscillation of the robot (131) matches the predicted oscillation pattern, in which each of these steps is completed before the robot (131) performs work on the workpiece (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kensaku Kaneyasu, Kaoru Shibata, Mitsutaka Igaue, Yushi Aoki, Shoji Matsuda, Kazuki Akami
  • Patent number: 8528180
    Abstract: A method for attenuating vibration in a driveline having a shaft assembly that transmits torque between first and second driveline components. The shaft assembly can have a hollow shaft member and at least one liner. The liner has a mass and a stiffness that are tuned such that the liner is a tuned resistive absorber for attenuating shell mode vibrations as well as at least one of a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating bending mode vibrations and a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating torsion mode vibrations. The tuned liner is inserted into the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohui Sun, David Paul Schankin, Dumitru Florin Patrascu, Austin Richard Gerding
  • Publication number: 20130008004
    Abstract: A method of making chatter-resistant end mills includes: (a) forming an end mill having unequal angular spacing between adjacent teeth, (b) cutting a test work piece with the end mill and measuring vibrations and resonance; (c) upon detecting undesired levels of vibration and resonance, adjusting the angular spacing between adjacent teeth to reduce vibration and resonance and forming another end mill having the adjusted angular spacing; (d) cutting a test work piece with the adjusted end mill and measuring vibrations and resonance; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until an end mill is formed in which vibration produced by the angular spacing between at least one pair of adjacent teeth cancels out at least a portion of the vibration produced by the angular spacing between at least one other pair of adjacent teeth; and (f) making at least one production end mill conforming to step (e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: VLADIMIR VOLOKH, SERGEI BOULAKHOV, LEONID SHARIVKER, SHAY ZEIDNER, VLADIMIR GALIPKO
  • Publication number: 20120291252
    Abstract: The invention is a clamping plate used to stiffen and hold a large, thin workpiece having low inherent stiffness. The clamping plate has a back layer, an intermediate layer and a contact layer. A plurality of grooves, which serve as air channels, is provided in the contact layer and the intermediate layer impart flexibility to the clamping plate. The clamping plate has sufficient flexibility to adapt to the specified contour of the workpiece. The contact layer is placed against the workpiece and vacuum apparatus provides suction through the air channels, which are in flow communication with each other between the two layers, to hold the workpiece against the clamping plate. One or more seals defines a holding area on the contact layer and prevent loss of suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Fooke GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Jacob, Hans-Jürgen Pierick, Richard Löttert
  • Patent number: 8176613
    Abstract: A method for attenuating vibration in a driveline having a shaft assembly that transmits torque between first and second driveline components. The shaft assembly can have a hollow shaft member and at least one liner. The liner has a mass and a stiffness that are tuned such that the liner is a tuned resistive absorber for attenuating shell mode vibrations as well as at least one of a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating bending mode vibrations and a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating torsion mode vibrations. The tuned liner is inserted into the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohui Sun, David Paul Schankin, Dumitru Florin Patrascu, Austin Richard Gerding
  • Patent number: 8171632
    Abstract: In the manufacture of integrally designed rotor wheels (BLISKs), the natural frequency of each blade is measured after forming by conventional shaping methods and the respective blade mass and its divergence from the smallest blade mass is calculated therefrom. The mass of each blade exceeding the smallest blade mass is removed by means of an etchant, so that all blades have essentially corresponding thickness, chord length, mass and natural frequency and are evenly loaded in operation. BLISKs manufactured in this way feature a long service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Arnold Kuehhorn, Thomas Klauke
  • Patent number: 8104159
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a belt for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in which multiple V blocks of a plurality of types having different thicknesses are attached to an endless body. The method includes forming a plurality of V block groups respectively having a different ratio of different types of V blocks; and forming a series of V blocks by attaching a plurality of V blocks to the endless belt to provide said plurality of V block groups. The V block groups have different ratios of the plurality of types of V blocks to provide a belt whose noise level is low and dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd, Cvtec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Katsumori Fujii, Ryo Nakamura, Hideki Makino, Yohei Ito
  • Publication number: 20110019256
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oscillator device having an oscillator supported relative to a fixed member by a torsion spring for oscillation around a torsion axis and arranged to be driven at a resonance frequency, which method includes a first step for determining an assumed value of an inertia moment weight of the oscillator, a second step for measuring the resonance frequency, a third step for calculating a spring constant of the torsion spring, from the assumed value of the inertia moment weight and the measured resonance frequency obtained at said first and second steps, a fourth step for calculating an adjustment amount for the inertia moment of the oscillator or for the spring constant of the torsion spring, based on the spring constant calculated at said third step and a target resonance frequency determined with respect to the resonance frequency of the oscillator, so as to adjust the resonance frequency to the target resonance frequency, and a fifth step for adjusting the resonance frequency of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Suguru Miyagawa, Takahiro Akiyama, Kazutoshi Torashima, Takahisa Kato, Kazunari Fujii
  • Patent number: 7866021
    Abstract: A machine assembly for manufacturing a component includes a frame, a first guide member mounted on the frame, and at least one component support configured to support the component. The at least one component support is coupled to the first guide member such that the component is supported below the first guide member when the component is supported by the at least one component support. The at least one component support is configured for movement along said first guide member. The assembly also includes a second guide member mounted on the frame, and at least one tool support coupled to the second guide member and configured to support a tool for one of inspecting and machining the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: JAC Property Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Chris John Carron, Dennis Todd Mell
  • Patent number: 7774911
    Abstract: A method for attenuating vibration in a driveline having a shaft assembly that transmits torque between first and second driveline components. The shaft assembly can have a hollow shaft member and at least one liner. The liner has a mass and a stiffness that are tuned such that the liner is a tuned resistive absorber for attenuating shell mode vibrations as well as at least one of a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating bending mode vibrations and a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating torsion mode vibrations. The tuned liner is inserted into the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohui Sun, David P Schankin, Dumitru F Patrascu, Austin R Gerding
  • Patent number: 7725995
    Abstract: Common internal electrodes 27 and segment internal electrodes 28 are laminated alternately with a piezoelectric material 29 between and a common external electrode 30 and a segment external electrode 31 are provided on the surface, forming a drive vibrator 24. A free end part 24a of the drive vibrator 24 is formed with an active region L and can be expanded and contracted in the length direction of the vibrator. A piezoelectric material 29 of the outermost layer in the free end part 24a can be operated based on the potential difference between the external and internal electrodes and a portion of the active region L in the external electrode is used as a trimming portion with an effective length x varied by trimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 7665198
    Abstract: A fuel injector with various embodiments of a annular damper member that reduces noise generated between a valve group subassembly and a power group subassembly during operation of the fuel injector. A mass annular damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong D. Cho, Massimlliano Cipriani
  • Patent number: 7627943
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure sensor is provided whereby the pressure sensor includes a joint, a diaphragm, and an adapter disposed between the joint and the diaphragm. The adapter includes an axis portion and a flange projecting in a radial direction from the axis portion. The axis portion is disposed such that one end does not interfere with the joint and the other end is welded to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is welded to the adapter and the welded portion the welded portion is positioned on an inner side of an end face of the joint. The joint is caulked to a peripheral edge of the flange of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tohyama, Takayuki Yokoyama, Ikuya Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20090144981
    Abstract: In the manufacture of integrally designed rotor wheels (BLISKs), the natural frequency of each blade is measured after forming by conventional shaping methods and the respective blade mass and its divergence from the smallest blade mass is calculated therefrom. The mass of each blade exceeding the smallest blade mass is removed by means of an etchant, so that all blades have essentially corresponding thickness, chord length, mass and natural frequency and are evenly loaded in operation. BLISKs manufactured in this way feature a long service life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Arnold Kuehhorn, Thomas Klauke
  • Patent number: 7500299
    Abstract: A method to introduce a deliberate mismatch into a turbomachine bladed wheel so as to reduce vibration amplitudes of the wheel in forced response. The method includes a step of determining an optimum value of the standard deviation for the mismatch as a function of operating conditions of the wheel inside the turbomachine, with respect to the maximum vibration amplitude response required on the wheel. The method further includes a step of at least partly placing blades with different natural frequencies on the wheel such that the standard deviation of the frequency distribution of all blades is equal to at least the mismatch value, the mismatch value being determined statistically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jérôme Dupeux, Christian Dupont, Jean-Pierre Lombard, Eric Seinturier
  • Patent number: 7409757
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of inserting at least one Z-pin into a composite laminate for providing Z direction reinforcement thereto. The method comprises the initial step of positioning at least one Z-pin upon the composite laminate. Thereafter, an insertion force is applied to the Z-pin at a first level which is sufficient to commence an insertion process wherein the Z-pin is driven into the composite laminate at a first insertion speed. The insertion force applied to the Z-pin is continuously monitored, with the first insertion speed being reduced to a second insertion speed in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from a first level to a second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Terence F. W. Hall, Brian J. Hill, William R. DeLeon, Bettie E. M. Marino
  • Patent number: 7353580
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically verifying the acceptable insertion of at least one Z-pin into a composite laminate. The method comprises the initial step of positioning at least one Z-pin upon the composite laminate. Thereafter, an insertion force is applied to the Z-pin at a first level which is sufficient to commence an insertion process wherein the Z-pin is driven into the composite laminate at a first insertion speed. The insertion force applied to the Z-pin is continuously monitored, with the first insertion speed being reduced to a second insertion speed in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from a first level to a second level. The application of the insertion force to the Z-pin is discontinued and the insertion process terminated in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from the second level to a third level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Terence F. W. Hall
  • Patent number: 7162797
    Abstract: A compressor has a compression unit for compressing gas to a desired pressure, a drive shaft and a balancer. The drive shaft is connected to the compression unit for driving the compression unit. Imbalance on the drive shaft is generated due to movement of the compression unit. The balancer is mounted on the drive shaft and includes a main portion and adjustable portion for correcting the imbalance on the drive shaft. Preferably, at least one of the weight and the shape of the adjustable portion is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Masato Sowa, Yoshiyuki Nakane, Toshiro Fujii, Tatsuyuki Hoshino, Ryuta Kawaguchi, Takahiro Moroi, Tsutomu Nasuda
  • Patent number: 7024744
    Abstract: A method of tuning a compressor stator blade having a base portion and an airfoil portion to achieve a desired natural frequency, includes a) identifying the natural frequency of the compressor stator blade; b) determining a different target natural frequency for the compressor stator blade; and c) removing material from the base portion of the compressor stator blade in an amount and in a configuration that achieves the target natural frequency. A frequency-tuned compressor stator blade includes an airfoil portion and a base portion, the base portion having a substantially solid rectangular shape; and a groove cut across a width dimension of the base portion, the groove having dimensions selected to obtain a predetermined natural frequency for the airfoil portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Francis Martin, Thomas Robbins Tipton
  • Patent number: 6981302
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube for a vehicle driveshaft assembly forms a flat sheet of material having a greater thickness than other portions over a portion of its width and along its length, rolling the sheet about a longitudinal axis such that its lateral edges are mutually adjacent, then securing the lateral edges together by seam welding to form a tube. The mass distribution is not uniform because the wall thickness of certain portions of the tube is greater than the wall thickness of other portions of the tube. A tube yoke is machined and the angular location of its overbalance about its longitudinal axis is determined. The tube is secured to the tube yoke such that the angular location of overbalance of the yoke is aligned with the weld seam and diametrically opposite the region of the tube having the greater wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Breese, Jeffrey D. Periat, James A. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6981311
    Abstract: A system and method for precision fastening of a fastener. The fastening system includes a motor and a sensor that provides a feedback signal from the motor to a controller. The controller compares the feedback signal to a threshold value to determine if an error condition exists. If the error condition exists, the controller oscillates a rotor to the motor between a first and a second position. In one construction, a resolver provides a signal to the controller representing a position of the oscillating rotor. The oscillating rotor vibrates the housing, thereby alerting an operator of the error condition. In one construction, the fastener device can alert the operator that the fastener is not tightened to a proper torque, and that the fastener is not rotated through a proper angle of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Seith, John A. McCallops
  • Patent number: 6883219
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensing element in a sensing chamber defined by two cases, one of which is crimped to the other. An internal pressure of the chamber is affected by a crimping force. In the manufacturing process of the pressure sensor, the internal pressure is monitored during crimping the cases. To monitor the internal pressure, the sensing element of the pressure sensor is used. An output signal of the sensing element is sent to a crimping machine. The crimping machine controls a crimping force based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Michitake Kuroda, Kiyoshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 6874228
    Abstract: A shaft structure and at least two non-identical inserts. The shaft structure has a cavity and vibrates in response to the receipt of an input of a predetermined frequency such that at least two second bending mode anti-nodes are generated in spaced relation to one another along the longitudinal axis of the shaft structure. Each of the inserts is disposed within the longitudinally extending cavity at a position that approximately corresponds to an associated one of the anti-nodes. A method for attenuating noise transmission from a vehicle driveline is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Ellen Armitage, Jeffrey N. Heaton, David P. Schankin, Donald J. Kurecka
  • Patent number: 6550121
    Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when a horizontal impulse is applied and from those measurements determining an orientation in which the oscillation would be substantially planar. In a preferred embodiment an iterative process is used to converge on the preferred orientation. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The assembly of the golf club can be done manually—e.g., in a refitting situation—or automatically—e.g., in a new club manufacturing setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: Richard M. Weiss, Joseph H. Butler, Michael J. Twigg
  • Patent number: 6543125
    Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when a horizontal impulse is applied and from those measurements determining an orientation in which the oscillation would be substantially planar. In a preferred embodiment an iterative process is used to converge on the preferred orientation. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The assembly of the golf club can be done manually—e.g., in a refitting situation—or automatically—e.g., in a new club manufacturing setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Richard M. Weiss, Joseph H. Butler, Michael J. Twigg
  • Patent number: 6487764
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a steel cable reinforced conveyor belt while monitoring the tensions of all the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: David Paul Schweitzer, Thomas Goodsell Hutchins
  • Patent number: 6438814
    Abstract: A method of forming a connection between a tube and a fitting, in which the fitting including a body with an externally male threaded tube receiving part to receive a tube, and a female threaded member adapted to be engaged with the male thread of the body with a compression means therebetween, the method including the steps of arranging the female threaded member and the compression means around the tube, inserting the tube into the tube receiving part of the body, and tightening the female threaded member onto the tube receiving part so that a generally radially inwardly extending formation of the female threaded member bears upon the compression means and wherein the method includes determining the amount of movement of a part of the fitting which, as the female threaded member is tightened, is caused to move relative to another part of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Douglas Seymour, Musa Mihsein
  • Patent number: 6434816
    Abstract: A plug cap and a method for attaching the plug cap which prevents the occurrence of depressions on a spark plug screw thread and in a cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap includes a spring pin having a straight section which engages a groove in the conductive cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap also has an identifying part on its exterior which indicates the direction in which the straight section is oriented. The plug cap is installed on the spark plug in a way which orients the straight section of the spring pin in a direction parallel to the principle vibration axis of the engine. The base of the plug cap groove may also be cut to a width which dampens the effect of vibrations causing translation of the straight section within the groove. The groove sidewalls may be angled to aid in removal of the plug cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Masanori Shimazoe, Akihiko Kajihara
  • Patent number: 6338765
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of treatment for work products of materials such as steel, bronze, plastic, etc. and particularly welded steel bodies by pulse impact energy, preferably ultrasonic, to relax fatigue and aging and extend expectant life. The treatment may occur (a) at original production, (b) during the active life period for maintenance or (c) after failure in a repair stage. The ultrasonic treatment improves the work product strength. In welded products residual stress patterns near the weld sites are relaxed and micro-stress defects such as voids and unusual grain boundaries are reduced. The basic method steps are non-destructive in nature, inducing interior pulse compression waves with ultrasonic transducers and accessory tools impacting an external product surface with enough impulse energy to heat and temporarily plasticize the metal interior and relax stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: UIT, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Efim S. Statnikov