Patents Assigned to of Illinois
  • Patent number: 11938844
    Abstract: A fastening apparatus, for a backseat bench of a motor vehicle, includes a housing installation with a fastening space for receiving a retaining section of a component to be fastened, wherein the housing installation is insertable in an assembly direction into a passage opening of a carrier component, and wherein the housing installation has an abutment section with an abutment surface extending transversely to the assembly direction at an end counter to the assembly direction for abutment on an edge of a carrier component facing counter to the assembly direction. A catching installation is provided with catching elements for connecting the fastening apparatus to a carrier component. The fastening apparatus further has a fastening installation with a catching means for releasably fixing a retaining section of a component to be fastened, wherein the fastening installation is arranged in front of the abutment section in the assembly direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Albert Sbongk, Manuel Hübner
  • Patent number: 11942920
    Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film (PTF) is located above a carrier substrate. The PTF may be X-cut LiNbO3 thin film adapted to propagate an acoustic wave in at least one of a first mode excited by an electric field oriented in a longitudinal direction along a length of the PTF or a second mode excited by the electric field oriented at least partially in a thickness direction of the PTF. A first interdigitated transducer (IDT) is disposed on a first end of the PTF. The first IDT is to convert a first electromagnetic signal, traveling in the longitudinal direction, into the acoustic wave. A second IDT is disposed on a second end of the PTF with a gap between the second IDT and the first IDT. The second IDT is to convert the acoustic wave into a second electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ruochen Lu, Tomas Manzaneque Garcia, Yansong Yang, Songbin Gong
  • Patent number: 11938603
    Abstract: Gas-operated fixing tool including a working chamber, a piston mounted slideably in the working chamber and comprising a driving rod of which a first longitudinal end is configured to drive a fixing element and of which a second longitudinal end is connected to a head which separates the working chamber into a first portion and into a second portion which is traversed by the rod, and at least one combustion chamber in which a mixture of air and fuel is intended to be burnt in order that combustion gases generate a rise in pressure that causes a movement of the piston in the working chamber, wherein the at least one combustion chamber is in fluid communication with the second portion in such a way that the rise in pressure causes the movement and the return of the piston into a rest position ready for firing a fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Ricordi, Olivier Baudrand
  • Patent number: 11938574
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed relating to improved fluid supply systems. In some examples, the improved fluid supply systems use an electrically controllable proportional valve and a surge prevention process to prevent a surge of pressurized fluid at the end of a welding-type operation. In particular, the surge prevention process may coordinate closure of the proportional valve and an on/off solenoid valve so that pressure in the fluid flow path can equalize to an ambient pressure after a welding operation (and/or a post flow operation) has ended. This coordination ensures that there is no pressure buildup and/or associated surge of fluid when the on/off solenoid valve is next opened (e.g., at the start of the next welding operation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Michael Vincent Hoeger
  • Patent number: 11939910
    Abstract: Described is a power system having an engine, a generator, a belt-driven component, a first pulley, a second pulley, a third pulley, and a fourth pulley. The engine outputs a rotational force at a first rotational speed to rotate the first pulley. The generator converts mechanical power driving the generator shaft to electric power. The second pulley is drivingly coupled to the first pulley via a first belt and configured to rotate the generator shaft at a second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed. The fourth pulley coupled to the generator shaft having a first diameter that is greater than a second diameter of the second pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Joe Jochman
  • Patent number: 11938480
    Abstract: A microfluidic diagnostic device with a three-dimensional (3D) flow architecture comprises a polymeric body having first and second opposing surfaces and comprising first flow channels in the first opposing surface, second flow channels in the second opposing surface, and connecting flow passages extending through a thickness of the polymeric body to connect the first flow channels to the second flow channels, thereby defining a continuous 3D flow pathway in the polymeric body. The microfluidic diagnostic device also includes a first cover adhered to the first opposing surface to seal the first flow channels, a second cover adhered to the second opposing surface to seal the second flow channels, and one or more access ports in fluid communication with the continuous 3D flow pathway for introducing liquid reagent(s) and/or a sample into the polymeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA, ILLINOIS
    Inventors: William P. King, Rashid Bashir, Mehmet Y. Aydin, Jacob E. Berger, Enrique Valera
  • Patent number: 11938571
    Abstract: Provided is a disclosure for a ventilation conduit for a welding torch, where the ventilation conduit comprises a conduit body comprising at least a first part and a second part, and a conduit nozzle. The first part and the second part are configured to be removably coupled to each other around an outside of a welding torch. The conduit nozzle, with a first end that is beveled and a second end, is configured to be removably coupled by the second end to the conduit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Hotz
  • Publication number: 20240093534
    Abstract: A door-locking module for a door of a household appliance includes a housing; a printed circuit board (PCB), received within the housing and further includes at least one first actuator switch adapted to open and close a predetermined first circuit of the PCB. A locking pin is configured to move between a locked position, affecting the door into a locked state, and an unlocked position, affecting the door into an unlocked state. An actuator is operably coupled to the locking pin so as to controllably move the locking pin between the unlocked position and the locked position. A locking ring is operably coupled between the actuator and the at least one first actuator switch and includes a trigger member adapted to operably engage with the signal actuator, and at least one cam guide adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cam follower of the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Dino CHIRUMBOLO, Bojan BICIC, Ahsan ALI, Joze LAVRENCIC
  • Publication number: 20240093208
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems that provide a genetic program to control bacterial life cycle and function execution, thereby conferring programmable microbial transition between planktonic and biofilm states and facilitating the development of cellular functions across physiological domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ting Lu, Wentao Kong
  • Publication number: 20240094116
    Abstract: An imaging substrate is provided to facilitate wide field photothermal infrared spectroscopic imaging of samples disposed thereon. The substrate includes at least two reflective layers and at least one spacer layer disposed therebetween which, together, form an optical cavity. The spacer layer(s) exhibit expansion and/or refractive index change as a function of heating by incident infrared illumination. Such localized heating results in a localized change in the effective reflectivity of the substrate by locally tuning/detuning the optical cavity. Thus, the pattern of effective reflectivity of the substrate can be made to correspond to the pattern of infrared absorptivity of a sample mounted on the substrate by illuminating the sample and the substrate with infrared illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Rohit Bhargava, Seth Kenkel
  • Patent number: 11930826
    Abstract: A food mixing machine includes a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column. A rotatable output member extends downward from the head for receiving a mixer tool. A bowl support is mounted for vertical movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head. A drive assembly is linked to selectively drive the rotatable output member. A user interface, including a touch-screen display, is located on the mixer body. A controller is associated with the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to communicate mixing machine condition information via the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky D. Kesig, Joel J. Everhart, John A. Cremeens
  • Patent number: 11931833
    Abstract: Systems and methods for welding asset tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. The asset tracking network may obtain and/or communicate to an asset tracking server welding data related to one or more of the welding assets, as well as position data obtained via an internal and/or external positioning system. In this way, the welding asset tracking server may continually receive updated information regarding each welding assets identity, location, and/or use. The asset tracking server may additionally send a command to a selected welding asset that causes an interface of the selected welding asset to emit an output that enables an operator to physically identify the welding asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: James Francis Rappl, Todd Holverson
  • Patent number: 11933768
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a torsional material testing system, which includes a rotatable actuator, such as a motor, configured to perform a torsional material testing operation. During a torsional material testing operation, a virtual interlock is configured to engage or disengage with the actuator to prevent or allow rotational movement of the actuator (e.g., during a setup state or during a torsional material testing operation, respectively). A control circuitry is employed to control the virtual interlock as well as the torsional testing system based on one or more operational states before, during, or after a material testing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Tremblay, Nicholas H. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 11932192
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fastening strap clamp assembly configured to fasten a first component and a second component of a vehicle together before and during deployment of a safety airbag of the vehicle. The fastening strap clamp assembly comprises a fastening strap housing and a fixing pin. The fastening strap housing comprises a fixing seat, a holder, and a fastening strap that connects the tightening seat to the holder. The fixing seat is configured to be fixed to the first component. The fixing pin locks the holder in a hole of the second component at a locked position. The fixing pin comprises a torsion bar extending along an extension axis, the torsion bar being elastically deformable by twisting around the extension axis, and the torsion bar engaging with the holder at a distal end of the torsion bar. The fixing pin further comprises an actuator that comprises a cam surface and a release surface connected to the cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jiahui He, Mengli Sun
  • Patent number: 11933347
    Abstract: Examples of rivet-type fastener are described. The rivet-type fastener may further include a fastener pin. The fastener pin includes a planar head portion and a shaft longitudinally extending from the head portion. The fastener pin may further include a cantilevered snap element at a distal end of the shaft. A portion of the cantilevered snap element is flexibly moveable with respect to the axis of shaft. The rivet-type fastener comprises a fastener body which in turn comprises a collared portion with a central opening. A plurality of elongated portions extend orthogonally from the collared portion, wherein the elongated portions are radially positioned about the central axis and about the edges of the central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mahantesh S. Gokavi, Ganesh Kumar, Lokesh Chauhan, Bhupendra Pandey
  • Patent number: 11931836
    Abstract: An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel
  • Patent number: 11933095
    Abstract: A clip assembly is provided for a storage system, and includes a receiver clip and a floor clip. The receiver clip includes a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region. The arm extensions each define a guiding ramp and a securing cavity. The floor clip includes a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising knobs extending from sidewalls thereof. The securing cavities of the receiver clip are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the knobs of the floor clip so that the floor clip is hingedly connected to the receiver clip by the knobs, and the floor clip may pivot relative to the receiver clip between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: D1018371
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Millward, Scott D. Kolasa
  • Patent number: D1018818
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bernard Heymann, Aleksey Klochkov, Juan Guerrero
  • Patent number: D1019707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Carey Christopher Costle, Brendan Sangster