Patents Assigned to Megastir Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 9764375
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Miles, Rodney Dale Fleck, Russell J. Steel
  • Patent number: 9352425
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Rosal, Paul T. Higgins, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, Jeremy Peterson, Steve W. Larsen, Samuel C. Sanderson, Jonathan A. Babb
  • Patent number: 8910851
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Rosal, Paul T. Higgins, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, Jeremy Peterson, Steve W. Larsen, Samuel C. Sanderson, Jonathan A. Babb
  • Patent number: 8550326
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J Steel, Steve W. Larsen, Paul T. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8490855
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Russell Kingston, Murray Mahoney, Russell J Steel, Scott M. Packer
  • Patent number: 8469256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, John Williams
  • Patent number: 8317080
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Russell Kingston, Murray Mahoney, Russell J Steel, Scott M. Packer
  • Patent number: 8241556
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Rosal, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Peter Cariveau, John Williams, Lance Richman
  • Patent number: 8186561
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Allen, Richard A. Flak, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Hobie Smith
  • Patent number: 8157154
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell J Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen
  • Patent number: 7992759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer
  • Patent number: 7993575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy W. Nelson, Carl D. Sorensen, Scott Packer, Paul Allen Felter
  • Publication number: 20110073634
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: Brigham Young University, MegaStir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen
  • Patent number: 7909231
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Babb, Russell Steel, Scott M. Packer, John Williams
  • Patent number: 7845545
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Brigham Young University, Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Russell Steel, Jonathan A. Babb, Michael P. Miles, Kent Kohkonen