Spherical Tool Patents (Class 72/75)
  • Patent number: 11717922
    Abstract: A method for surface treatment of a workpiece includes providing the workpiece with hardened workpiece surface, clamping the workpiece, removing material from the hardened workpiece surface with a material removal tool to produce a machined surface with first machining tracks, and rolling the machined surface with a rolling tool by overlapping the first machining tracks to produce a rolled surface with second machining tracks. A distance between the material removal tool and the rolling tool measured in an axial direction of the workpiece is varied in an oscillating manner. The material removal tool may be advanced in the axial direction at a constant speed and the rolling tool may be advanced in the axial direction at an oscillating speed, or the rolling tool may be advanced in the axial direction at a constant speed and the material removal tool may be advanced in the axial direction at an oscillating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Buschka, Silvio End, André Kuckuk
  • Patent number: 11293254
    Abstract: Disclosed are an expansion tool assembly, comprising: an expandable tubular; a guide shoe partially inserted into and connected to the lower end of the expandable tubular; a sealing sleeve arranged in the expandable tubular and connected to the upper end of the guide shoe; an expansion assembly comprising an expansion cone and expansion seat disposed inside the expandable tubular, wherein the lower end of the expansion seat is connected with hooks, which can be rested on the upper end of the sealing sleeve; an upper joint that is connected to the upper end of the expansion seat and can be connected to a drill string. A force transfer path can be established via connection between the expansion seat and sealing sleeve, so that expandable tubular weight is borne on the drill string. Unintentional expansion of the expandable tubular, caused by interaction between expandable tubular and expansion cone, can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: China National Petroleum Corporation, CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited
    Inventors: Quanli Zhang, Binggui Xu, Depei Shi, Hongwei Yin, Huijuan Guo, Guodong Zhan, Wanjun Li, Jianhua Guo, Tao Jia, Fei Han, Jianli Wang, Yingjie Zhu, Mingjie Lv, Yi Yang, Yongliang Yu, Zhitong Liu, Fuxiang Hou, Zhijian Hu
  • Patent number: 11253906
    Abstract: A method for producing a bearing component includes providing a bearing component blank with an iron-based metal substrate, hardening the metal substrate, treating the metal substrate by an alkaline treatment bath in a region to form an iron oxide-based blackening layer as a conversion layer with an initial layer thickness (db) on the region, and rolling a spherical body over the region to compress the conversion layer in the region to form a bearing component with a protective layer having a final layer thickness (de) that is less than 95% of the initial layer thickness (db). The spherical body may be a component part of a hydrostatic finish rolling tool or a hydrostatic deep rolling tool. The spherical body may include a hard metal or a ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bertram Haag, Peter Geschwindner, Toni Blaß, Daniel Merk
  • Patent number: 10718041
    Abstract: A method for welding a first powder metallurgical (PM) part to a second powder metallurgical (PM) part includes: working a first face of the first PM part; working a first face of the second PM part; and friction welding the first face of the first part to the first face of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ashwin Sreekant Raghavan, Kenneth A. Frisk, Max A. Kaplan, Mario P. Bochiechio, Michael A. Czywczynski
  • Patent number: 9682418
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sheet of material. The sheet of material may be secured relative to a tool in an incremental sheet metal forming machine. The sheet of material may be incrementally shaped into a shape of a part using a stylus. The stylus may comprise a rod having a first end and a second end, a substantially curved surface on the first end, and a texture on at least a portion of the substantially curved surface on the first end. The texture may be configured to channel a lubricant onto the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith A. Young, Richard J. Lederich, James B. Castle, Christopher S. Huskamp
  • Patent number: 9126257
    Abstract: A method of forming a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls of a sheet metal casket shell from a single piece of sheet metal. The piece of sheet metal has opposite ends and a length equal to the combined length of the pair of side walls and the pair of end walls of the casket shell to be formed. The opposite ends of the piece of sheet metal are secured together to form a tube. A roll forming roller is positioned in an interior of the tube. A female die configured to produce a desired profile for the side walls and the end walls of the casket shell is positioned around an exterior of the tube. The roller is moved outwardly so as to contact an interior surface of the tube and deform the tube toward a die cavity of the female die. The roller is rolled around a perimeter of the interior of the tube so as to deform the perimeter of the tube toward the die cavity of the female die. The desired profile for the side walls and the end walls of the casket shell is thereby produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Meiser, Ilija Rojdev
  • Patent number: 9089889
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (11) for flanging the end (13) of a metal tube (13) to achieve a circumferential surface extending outward at right angles from the tube (13), comprising a flanging tool (17) adapted to be attached to the end of the tube (13), the flanging tool (17) having a guiding arrangement (31) drivable by a shaft (33, 48) of the guiding arrangement (31) and a pressure element (27) attached to the guiding arrangement (31), the guiding arrangement (31) comprising shifting means (35) driven by the rotating (89) shaft (33, 48) for shifting the pressure element (27) in an outward radial direction (37) with respect to the tube (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kohnen
  • Patent number: 9003850
    Abstract: A process for producing plate springs or undulating springs wherein surface regions which are subjected to tensile stresses when the spring is under load are provided with an internal compressive stress in the boundary layer, wherein said surface regions are rollingly compressed by a ball or roller or subjected to tensile stress and compressed by shot peening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Bernfried Hesselmann, Sven Roth, Peter Buchner, Andreas Rinsdorf, Thomas Muhr
  • Patent number: 8931320
    Abstract: A dimple-forming burnishing tool allowing easy adjustment of a dimple shape is provided. The dimple-forming burnishing tool has a mandrel attached on a rear-end side thereof to a processing machine for rotation, and a cylindrical frame rotatably externally fitted on a tip side of the mandrel and holding a rolling element and a pressing element that are driven by rotation of the mandrel, for forming dimples in an inner surface of a workpiece by rotating the mandrel with the frame disposed inside the inner surface of the workpiece. In the dimple-forming burnishing tool, the mandrel includes a dimple adjusting mechanism. The dimple adjusting mechanism includes: a rolling element rotating portion causing the rolling element to rotate without moving in and out radially of the frame; and a pressing element in-and-out rotating portion causing the pressing element to rotate while moving in and out radially of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sugino Machine Limited
    Inventors: Shinya Miyauchi, Tetsuya Suzuki, Masaru Futamura
  • Patent number: 8789822
    Abstract: This mechanism offers a simple solution wherein an axial movement of a grooved piece (6) brings about a radial movement of rigid balls (5) that grip and deform a pipe (1) that is initially in a plastic state. Depending on the geometry of the channels (7) of the grooved piece (6), a variable grip is achieved. This gripping operation is simply released as the grooved piece (6) returns to its initial position, the pipe (1) itself now being in a solid state, so that the balls (5) are returned to their initial position. The correct position for gripping the plastic pipe can be detected by a detector (11). The pressurization of the plastic pipe can be achieved thanks to an elastic joint (10) on the piece that surrounds the pipe (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Molecor Technologia, S.L.
    Inventor: Ignacio Muñoz De Juan
  • Patent number: 8776564
    Abstract: An impact treatment method for improving fatigue characteristics of a welded joint comprising pressing an impact pin against the surface of a base metal material near a toe of a weld bead and making it move relatively to the weld line direction to apply hammer peening treatment or ultrasonic impact treatment, characterized by using as the impact pin an impact pin having a tip curvature radius of ½ or less of a thickness of the metal material and between 2 to 10 mm and, on a surface of a base metal material up to a range where a distance from the toe of the weld bead to the center of the impact treatment position is within 2.5 times the tip curvature radius of the impact pin and where the impact pin does not contact the weld metal during impact treatment, applying hammer peening or ultrasonic impact treatment so as to cause by the impact pin residual plastic deformation where an impact dent has a groove depth of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimanuki, Tetsuro Nose
  • Patent number: 8733143
    Abstract: A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method includes incrementally forming a first monotonic wrap surface in a first direction and incrementally forming a second wrap surface in a second direction disposed opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Feng Ren, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
  • Patent number: 8671728
    Abstract: A plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The first and second tool portions are arranged along an application axis in spaced relation to each other such that a plate workpiece can be disposed therebetween. The tool also includes two or more processing devices that are carried by the first tool portion, and one or more counter-devices that are carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices are rotatable, relative to the first tool portion, about a first rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the application axis and are arranged to follow each other along an axis extending perpendicularly to the application axis. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Heusel
  • Patent number: 8601659
    Abstract: A burnishing tool and method for providing a surface treatment along the surface of a work piece, the burnishing tool having a tool head comprising a bearing for supporting a rolling element and an encasement for supporting the bearing. The bearing is formed from a self-lubricating polymer such as, but not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene based resin, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene based resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Surface Technology Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Prevey, Paul S. Prevey, III
  • Publication number: 20130213106
    Abstract: A burnishing tool includes a mandrel; and a frame fitted to the mandrel and holding balls contacting an outer peripheral surface on the mandrel. The outer peripheral surface has a contact surface with the balls. The contact surface is at a side of the outer peripheral surface which is closer to the work surface. The contact surface and the work surface have a distance therebetween in a direction normal to the work surface. A distance at a side of the mandrel closer to the processing machine and a distance at the opposite side of the mandrel have a distance difference therebetween. A diameter of the outer peripheral surface on the mandrel is set in such a way that the distance difference with the mandrel flexed during formation of the dimples becomes smaller than that before flexing of the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventor: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8511130
    Abstract: A method for preventing or arresting the development and propagation of cracks in the material surrounding a fastener. The method includes introducing compressive residual stresses in the material surrounding the fastener. The compressive residual stresses offset the high residual tensile and applied stresses which the material may be subjected to in operation and thereby prevent or arrest the development of cracks. Using the output of a sensor, the surface treatment apparatus is positioned relative to a fastener. A compression tool is impinged against the surface of the material adjacent to the fastener and rotated around the perimeter of the fastener thereby inducing a zone of compressive residual stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Surface Technology Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul S. Prevey, III
  • Patent number: 8490449
    Abstract: A tool for deburring cut edges on workpieces has a pressure body in the form of a rolling body, by means of which, as relative longitudinal movement of rolling body and workpiece takes place, pressure can be applied to the burr on the relevant cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece while the rolling body rolls along the cut edge. A machine for deburring cut edges on workpieces is provided with a tool of the above-mentioned kind. In the course of a process for deburring cut edges on workpieces, a rolling body is moved along the relevant cut edge with a rolling motion. In that movement, pressure is applied by means of the rolling body to the burr on the cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Bytow, Martin Decker, Martin Steiner
  • Patent number: 8474293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the dynamic pressure resistance of a metal component with a tubular inner space, in which a hard metal ball is forced under high pressure through the interior of the tubular inner space, wherein the hard metal ball has a diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the tubular inner space before the hard metal ball is forced through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Materials Technology Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Henrich Strackerjahn, Matthias Goken
  • Patent number: 8443643
    Abstract: A burr removing method includes: pressing, by using a work pressing device (7), the upper surface of a work (W) around a work edge (WE), along which a burr occurs, so as to be relatively freely movable, the work (W) held on a work table in a plate material processing machine so as to be freely movable in X- and Y-axis directions; when the work (W) relatively moves with respect to the work pressing device (7) in the X- and Y-axis directions, vibrating a striker (35) vertically, the striker (35) provided at a position below the work pressing device (7) so as to be freely vertically movable; and, when the striker (35) moves upward, crushing the burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Endo
  • Patent number: 8322176
    Abstract: A system and method for incrementally forming a workpiece. A first manipulator is configured to move a first tool in multiple directions along a first surface of a workpiece. A second manipulator is configured to move a second tool in multiple directions along a second surface of the workpiece. The first and second tools move along first and second predetermined paths of motion and exert force to form the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Johnson, Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Feng Ren, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
  • Patent number: 8307681
    Abstract: A method of inducing compressive residual stress of blading members integrally formed with a rotor. The method includes using a caliper-type burnishing tool such that the caliper arms of the tool are contoured and oriented for placing the burnishing elements on opposite sides of the blading member to be treated. The blading member is burnished to introduce a pre-determined pattern of residual compressive stresses in a selected area of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Paul S. Prevey, III
  • Patent number: 8302442
    Abstract: A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method includes determining a desired workpiece geometry, generating a tool path in which a feature is formed outwardly from a point that is disposed a maximum distance from a reference position, and incrementally forming the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
  • Patent number: 8286455
    Abstract: A method of metal surface hardening treatment inducing transformation, in which transformation is induced in a surface interior of material as hardening treatment object by simple, rapid treatment utilizing a frictional heat under pressure without the occurrence of melt loss, quench crack, soft spot, deformation, etc. to thereby reform the structure of surface interior of material as hardening treatment object into a miniaturized martensitic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Osaka University, Kimura Chuosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Fujii, Yasufumi Yamaguchi, Toshitake Kanno, Yoya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8250720
    Abstract: There is disclosed a roller burnishing apparatus including a first member moved relative to an object to be burnished, a second member movable relative to the first member in a relative movement direction, a burnishing roller held by the second member such that the burnishing roller is rotatable, a biasing device which biases with a biasing force the second member relative to the first member in one of two opposite directions along the relative movement direction, and a pressing-force detecting device that detects a pressing force with which the burnishing roller is pressed against the object and which is based on the biasing force of the biasing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Limited, Jatco Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Tomioka, Toshiaki Segawa, Masami Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20120160005
    Abstract: A dimple-forming burnishing tool allowing easy adjustment of a dimple shape is provided. The dimple-forming burnishing tool has a mandrel attached on a rear-end side thereof to a processing machine for rotation, and a cylindrical frame rotatably externally fitted on a tip side of the mandrel and holding a rolling element and a pressing element that are driven by rotation of the mandrel, for forming dimples in an inner surface of a workpiece by rotating the mandrel with the frame disposed inside the inner surface of the workpiece. In the dimple-forming burnishing tool, the mandrel includes a dimple adjusting mechanism. The dimple adjusting mechanism includes: a rolling element rotating portion causing the rolling element to rotate without moving in and out radially of the frame; and a pressing element in-and-out rotating portion causing the pressing element to rotate while moving in and out radially of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinya MIYAUCHI, Tetsuya SUZUKI, Masaru FUTAMURA
  • Patent number: 8201604
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to products includes a label application station at which the labels are applied to a product and an application head movably mounted relative to a base for movement between a first operative loading position spaced from the label application station and a second operative application position at which the application head applies at least one label to a product positioned at the label application station. An electrically actuated solenoid is operatively connected to the application head to move the application head between the first and second operative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Green, Joseph M. Fisher, William B. Elliott, Joseph J. Alfieri, Eric K. Spina
  • Patent number: 8171517
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to wirelessly download media content to a media device of a vehicle from a point in the media content where a gateway previously stopped downloading the media content to the vehicle media device, where the server is in a reconfigurable master-slave relationship with the gateway, where the server and the gateway are remote from each other and remote from the vehicle, and where the gateway is associated with the vehicle. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy Zimler
  • Patent number: 8051565
    Abstract: A method of reducing crack propagation in an airfoil includes: providing an airfoil having a root spaced apart from a tip, spaced-apart leading and trailing edges, a suction side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and an opposed pressure side extending from the leading edge and the trailing edge, supporting the airfoil against bending loads; and burnishing the airfoil using a burnishing element, so as to create at least one burnished section of residual compressive stress, the at least one burnished section being located adjacent the leading edge and spaced from the leading edge by an offset distance selected so as to avoid deformation of the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alberto Luna, Joshua Leigh Miller, William Terence Dingwell, Michael Jay Brunck, William Lee Imhoff, Paul Moncelle, Dale Robert Lombardo, Andrew Philip Woodfield
  • Patent number: 8042369
    Abstract: A tool for deburring cut edges on workpieces has a pressure body in the form of a rolling body, by means of which, as relative longitudinal movement of rolling body and workpiece takes place, pressure can be applied to the burr on the relevant cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece while the rolling body rolls along the cut edge. A machine for deburring cut edges on workpieces is provided with a tool of the above-mentioned kind. In the course of a process for deburring cut edges on workpieces, a rolling body is moved along the relevant cut edge with a rolling motion. In that movement, pressure is applied by means of the rolling body to the burr on the cut edge in the direction towards the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Bytow, Martin Decker, Martin Steiner
  • Patent number: 8033151
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a platform, a stylus, and an ultrasonic energy generation system. The platform may be capable of holding a sheet of material. The stylus may be capable of impinging the sheet of material to incrementally form a shape for a part. The ultrasonic energy generation system may be capable of sending ultrasonic energy into at least a portion of the sheet of material in a location on the sheet of material where the stylus impinges the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James B. Castle, Christopher S. Huskamp, Kevin G. Waymack
  • Patent number: 7980107
    Abstract: A reducing pipe expander that applies to casing deformation restoration of deep wells such as oil field and comprises a conical-nosed enclosure, a mandrel and several steel balls. The main body of the enclosure is equipped with several radial slotted holes to nest steel balls. Held by a taper, slant or curved face against insides of the slotted holes, the steel balls move axially, overhanging the enclosure. When the deformed casing pipe or patching pipe obstructs the pipe expander from moving forward, the steel balls will move in the reverse direction of the movement of the expander to directly expand the deformed pipe. When the expander can pass through the casing pipe or patching pipe, the steel balls will be free to return to their original status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Xiaoyong Li
  • Patent number: 7971463
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a workpiece to a desired, non-planar configuration are provided. At least one friction stir forming tool, having a shoulder and a pin, is used to urge the workpiece to the desired configuration and friction stir form the workpiece. The forming tool can urge the workpiece against a contour surface of a die or a shoulder that is opposite the structural member from the tool. Thus, the forming tool plasticizes a portion of the workpiece and urges the workpiece to the desired configuration. In addition, the material properties of the workpiece can be improved by the friction stir processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Forrest, Douglas J. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7861571
    Abstract: A mechanical process to reduce and/or reform the mass of a tube (either metallic or of some other material) to specified dimensions, by any or all of the following means: thinning the wall of the tube, reducing the diameter of the tube, and elongation of the tube. The tube is operated on by a ball and a die having interior areas including: an initial entry with reduction angle, a wall reduction chamber, a final reduction angle, a land/bearing, and an exit relief ending in an area with a reverse taper. The tube has an outside diameter larger than the wall reduction chamber (in the raw material starting size) with a wall thickness somewhat larger than the gap between the outside diameter of the ball, and the inside diameter of the wall reduction chamber. The tube is pulled, pushed or drawn between the die and the ball, reducing its dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Giaimo
  • Patent number: 7788961
    Abstract: A system and method are described for ballizing and measuring a workpiece bore hole. In one embodiment, a ballizing unit having a distal end removably coupled to a ballizing member moves the ballizing member from a first position within the bore hole to a second position. A metrology unit having a distal end removably coupled to the ballizing member moves the ballizing member from the second position back to the first position. A sensor detects a force exerted on the ballizing member by the workpiece at a third position, which is located between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Mikhailovich Dvoskin, Gunter K. Heine, Edelgard Heine, legal representative, Roger A. Addy
  • Patent number: 7721577
    Abstract: A method for working a component to reduce a propensity for advanced dynamic change analyzes affects of a StressWave process on at least one location on a size and shape of the component. The component is also analyzed as to the affects of adding at least one feature on a size and shape of the component. A beginning shape of the component is then extrapolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7600404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface treatment apparatus and method for inducing compressive residual stress in the surface of a workpiece with dimensional variations. The method comprises the acts of measuring the dimensions of the workpiece during a surface treatment operation and adjusting the surface treatment process parameters to account for the measured dimensions. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two surface treatment elements oriented in opposition to one another in a caliper configuration. The surface treatment elements are positioned and impinged against the surface of a workpiece by an actuator controlled by a computer control unit. The depth to which the surface treatment elements are impinged is precisely controlled to achieve the desired magnitude and depth of compressive residual stress. A sensor operatively connected to the apparatus senses and relays the dimensions of the workpiece to a computer control unit that adjusts the operating parameters accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Surface Technology Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul S. Prevey, III
  • Patent number: 7600405
    Abstract: Microsurgical probes having a distal tip with a flat outer surface and a flat inner surface, and methods of forming such probes, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Maurer, Jr., Brian D. Burkman, Randall R. Martin, Dale E. Ketner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7568370
    Abstract: A system and method are described for ballizing and measuring a workpiece bore hole. In one embodiment, a ballizing unit having a distal end removably coupled to a ballizing member moves the ballizing member from a first position within the bore hole to a second position. A metrology unit having a distal end removably coupled to the ballizing member moves the ballizing member from the second position back to the first position. A sensor detects a force exerted on the ballizing member by the workpiece at a third position, which is located between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lev M. Dvoskin, Edelgard Heine, legal representative, Roger A. Addy, Gunter K. Heine
  • Publication number: 20090049880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a tool for producing cylindrical workpieces having longitudinal grooves, wherein the actual rolling operation is preceded by a drawing stage integrated in the tool and wherein the forming rollers are realized with an improved mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Schlayer, Hans-Joachim Pieperhoff, Frank Beig, Norbert Ziesel
  • Patent number: 7389666
    Abstract: A method for treating the surface of a machine element, such as the raceway and/or a rolling element of a rolling element bearing, comprising the steps of—subjecting the surface to a hard turning operation so as to obtain a specific roughness profile having a series of alternating ridges and grooves, —after the hard turning operation subjecting the surface to a ball calendering operation so as to flatten the ridges of the roughness profile whereby a ?q value smaller than 5° is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: AB SKF
    Inventor: Pieter Martin Lugt
  • Patent number: 7367210
    Abstract: The present invention provides a deburring device for a punch press which can remove burrs produced along a slot or a cut portion formed in a plate material by punching or cutting using a punch press so that the removal is carried out as a process with the same punch press. A deburring device 6 for a punch press has an upper tool 7 and a lower tool 8 arranged opposite each other. The upper and lower tools 7, 8 each have a ball holding member 22, 32, respectively, and a ball 23, 33, respectively, rotatably supported by the ball holding member and projecting from a surface of the ball holding member 22, 32 toward an opposite surface of the opposite ball holding member 32, 22. Each of the upper and lower balls 23, 33 has a diameter larger than the width of the slot A, in its portion projecting from the ball holding member 22, 32, respectively, the slot A being formed in the plate material W so as to extend across the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehisa Nishibu
  • Patent number: 7210209
    Abstract: A system and method are described for ballizing and measuring a workpiece bore hole. In one embodiment, a ballizing unit having a distal end removably coupled to a ballizing member moves the ballizing member from a first position within the bore hole to a second position. A metrology unit having a distal end removably coupled to the ballizing member moves the ballizing member from the second position back to the first position. A sensor detects a force exerted on the ballizing member by the workpiece at a third position, which is located between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lev Mikhailovich Dvoskin, Edelgard Heine, legal representative, Roger Allen Addy, Gunter Karl Heine, deceased
  • Patent number: 7185521
    Abstract: An apparatus for process control of a burnishing process comprising a body having a first end and a second end, at least one process control coupon, and structure for attaching the process control coupon to the body. At least one edge of the process control coupon is clamped along the entire length thereof during burnishing. A method of process control for burnishing of components comprising selecting at least one process control coupon, selecting an apparatus for holding the process control coupon(s), attaching the process control coupon(s) to the apparatus, selecting a region on the surface of the process control coupon(s) for burnishing, burnishing a patch on the selected region using a burnishing process, and, measuring at least one physical parameter at a selected location of the process control coupon(s) after burnishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dale Robert Lombardo, Alberto Luna, Michael J. Brunck
  • Patent number: 7168364
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for marking a sheet-shaped workpiece using a marking tool. The marking tool is mounted in a punch holder of a punch press and a counter-support is fixed in place on a side opposite of a marking surface of the workpiece to be marked. The surface of the workpiece is marked by displacing the workpiece in its plane while engaging the marking tool with the workpiece. In one form, a support roller provides counter-support. In another form, an elastic element is cooperatively associated with the punch stroke of the punch press to translate an exactly defined contact pressure force between the tool tip and the workpiece to be marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Mate Precision Tooling Inc.
    Inventor: Albrecht Schneider
  • Patent number: 7150172
    Abstract: A burring device is provided which can efficiently perform continuous burring. The burring device has a work holder which has a burring hole and which holds a work object, a pusher rod which rotatably supports the base end of a metal core which has a processing part on the tip end thereof, and a guide rod which is positioned to the front of the extended axis of the pusher rod and which has a guide surface on the tip end thereof which guides the tip end of the metal core towards the burring hole of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Nakazato
  • Patent number: 7003997
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the deformation along a cut contour edge (26) of a sheet (2) caused by the cutting process whereby sheet material (4) protrudes above the top surface of the sheet being cut. One group of embodiments (22, 50, 60) apply pressure to the deformation to flatten the protrusion (4). Another group of embodiments (70, 80) cut away ant material protruding above the top surface of the sheet. The deformation reduction mechanisms of both groups may be mechanically linked to the contour-cutting element or they may pass over the line of the contour cut independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Solidimension Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosi Bar-Erez
  • Patent number: 6923031
    Abstract: A system for removing dents from metal or other materials comprising (i) a device which includes at least one magnet having a handle detachably held to a portion of the magnet by magnetic attraction and a roller detachably held to a portion of the magnet opposite the handle by the magnetic forces of the magnet; and (ii) a method which includes the steps of attaching the magnet to the handle, placing the roller inside the tubing of a dented instrument, placing the portion of the magnet opposite the handle against the exterior of the instrument, catching or acquiring the roller with the magnet such that the magnet and the roller form a magnetic assembly, wherein the roller is on the interior of the instrument and the magnet is on the exterior of the instrument, and moving, sliding, or rocking the magnetic assembly across the dents until the dents are removed from the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: James M. Akins
  • Patent number: 6840139
    Abstract: An improved tool for use in association with a deformable nut of a fastener includes a socket having inner surface that forms a cavity on the socket. The inner surface includes one or more engagement surfaces that are tapered inwardly at an angle that approaches a taper of a deformable wall of the deformable nut. In one embodiment the tapering of the engagement surfaces is provided by configuring the engagement surfaces to extend in a tapered fashion generally toward a central axis of the socket. In another embodiment, the tapering is provided by configuring the engagement surfaces to each extend in a spiral fashion about a spiral axis that may, for example, be parallel and spaced-apart from the central axis of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke L. Haylock
  • Patent number: 6796156
    Abstract: A support and holding structure (2) houses a fluid-operated actuator (17) controlling movement of a tool (7) close to and away from an object being marked (“A”) and movement means causing shifting of same on the surface (“S”) to be marked. The marking tool (7) comprises a ball or other engraving rolling element (7a) rotatably housed in a rolling seating (10) by interposition of small sliding balls (13). The rolling seating (10) has a rolling portion (10a) concentric with the engraving ball (7a), at which the efforts transmitted through the ball itself are discharged, and a recirculation portion (10b) spreading away from the rolling portion (10a) to ensure recirculation of the small sliding balls (13) during marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sitel, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Natalis, Paolo Stefanelli
  • Patent number: 6791665
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is provided wherein an object situated in a pulsed beam of radiation has an electrode in its vicinity and a voltage source connected either to the electrode or to the object. This configuration can provide a negative voltage pulse to the object relative to the electrode. The beam of radiation and the voltage pulse from the voltage source are provided in phase or out of phase. In this way, the object is shielded against secondary electrons generated by radiation beam illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Kurt, Levinus Pieter Bakker, Frank Jeroen Pieter Schuurmans