Patents Assigned to Megastir Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 9764375Abstract: A system and method of joining at least two workpieces together using a friction rivet and a friction rivet cap that are friction stirred together after a cutting tip or cutting feature on the friction rivet cuts through workpieces and is then bonded to the friction rivet cap, and wherein the friction rivet cap may be excluded if the friction rivet includes a hollow in the cutting tip, the hollow being flared after the friction rivets cuts through the workpieces to thereby create an integral rivet cap in the end of the friction rivet.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies LLCInventors: Michael P. Miles, Rodney Dale Fleck, Russell J. Steel
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Patent number: 9352425Abstract: A system and method for modifying a work piece surface of high melting temperature materials such as Advanced High Strength Steels, wherein a friction stir welding tool may include cutting elements located on the outside diameter of a collar assembly, wherein the collar assembly may be retrofitted for existing friction stir welding tools, or may be designed as a custom attachment for a new hybrid friction stir welding tool, wherein the surface of the work piece may be modified by removing detrimental flash and burr created during operation of the friction stir welding tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: David Rosal, Paul T. Higgins, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, Jeremy Peterson, Steve W. Larsen, Samuel C. Sanderson, Jonathan A. Babb
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Patent number: 8910851Abstract: A system and method for modifying a work piece surface of high melting temperature materials such as Advanced High Strength Steels, wherein a friction stir welding tool may include cutting elements located on the outside diameter of a collar assembly, wherein the collar assembly may be retrofitted for existing friction stir welding tools, or may be designed as a custom attachment for a new hybrid friction stir welding tool, wherein the surface of the work piece may be modified by removing detrimental flash and burr created during operation of the friction stir welding tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: David Rosal, Paul T. Higgins, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, Jeremy Peterson, Steve W. Larsen, Samuel C. Sanderson, Jonathan A. Babb
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Patent number: 8550326Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J Steel, Steve W. Larsen, Paul T. Higgins
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Patent number: 8490855Abstract: A method is taught for creating a hollow sphere that is created by joining two cylinders together that have a semispherical hollow formed in the ends being joined together, wherein a metallic reinforcing disk is inserted at an interface between the two ends of the cylinders, wherein the two cylinders and reinforcing disk are joined using friction stir welding to create an inner sphere from the two hemispherical hollows that is bisected by the metallic reinforcing disk, and wherein the joined cylinders and reinforcing disk are machined to thereby create an outer spherical surface that is centered around the inner sphere.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: Russell Kingston, Murray Mahoney, Russell J Steel, Scott M. Packer
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Patent number: 8469256Abstract: A control parameter ramp profile that enables control parameters to be modified in a non-linear manner, such that as a temperature set point of a tool or a weld is approached, the control parameter ramp profile enables the temperature set point to be approached in a manner that prevents temperature overshoot and therefore creating a better weld along the length thereof, wherein the control parameter ramp profile includes but is not limited to proportional, exponential or an S-curve waveform.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLCInventors: Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, John Williams
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Patent number: 8317080Abstract: A method is taught for creating a hollow sphere that is created by joining two cylinders together that have a semispherical hollow formed in the ends being joined together, wherein a metallic reinforcing disk is inserted at an interface between the two ends of the cylinders, wherein the two cylinders and reinforcing disk are joined using friction stir welding to create an inner sphere from the two hemispherical hollows that is bisected by the metallic reinforcing disk, and wherein the joined cylinders and reinforcing disk are machined to thereby create an outer spherical surface that is centered around the inner sphere.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLCInventors: Russell Kingston, Murray Mahoney, Russell J Steel, Scott M. Packer
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Patent number: 8241556Abstract: A tool is provided that is capable of friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, and friction stir welding of high melting temperature and low melting temperature materials, wherein the collar is now divided into at least an inner and an outer collar coupled to the shank and the FSW tip, wherein new thermal barriers enable expansion of the inner collar to be directed inward to thereby create compression on the FSW tip instead of allowing the FSW tip to become loose in the tool at elevated temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLCInventors: David Rosal, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Peter Cariveau, John Williams, Lance Richman
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Patent number: 8186561Abstract: A system and method for friction stir processing of a hand-held cutting edge, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the hand-held cutting edge to obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping of the hand-held cutting edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles E. Allen, Richard A. Flak, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Hobie Smith
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Patent number: 8157154Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell J Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen
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Patent number: 7992759Abstract: A method of selecting a geometry for a friction stirring tool, said tool having a melting point that is higher than the workpiece material, wherein the tool is placed in motion against the workpiece to generate heat in the workpiece such that workpiece material is transported in surface features of the tool, and wherein surface features manage workpiece material flow around the tool, and wherein the tool can be used in friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, friction stir welding, and friction stir spot welding of high melting temperature materials or high softening temperature materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer
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Patent number: 7993575Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLCInventors: Tracy W. Nelson, Carl D. Sorensen, Scott Packer, Paul Allen Felter
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Publication number: 20110073634Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicants: Brigham Young University, MegaStir Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen
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Patent number: 7909231Abstract: A new control variable is introduced, that when combined with previous dependent control criteria on other variables results in a control program that can create a superior weld while minimizing wear on the FSW tool, wherein the tool repeatedly experiences the same thermal and mechanical loading within specified control windows during every repeated weld sequence because flow stresses and tool loads are driven by temperature, and dependent control loops account for differences in material and heat that is transferred at different rates in varying locations throughout a friction stir weld.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLCInventors: Jonathan A. Babb, Russell Steel, Scott M. Packer, John Williams
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Patent number: 7845545Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen