Patents Examined by Alexander P Taousakis
  • Patent number: 9566638
    Abstract: A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a flexible fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms and a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted to a fork arm with eccentric roller bushings, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin R. Hawkes, Eric D. Gray, Tahany I. El-Wardany, Daniel V. Viens
  • Patent number: 9452468
    Abstract: A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a flexible fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms and a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted to a fork arm with eccentric roller bushings, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin R. Hawkes, Eric D. Gray, Tahany I. El-Wardany, Daniel V. Viens
  • Patent number: 9447711
    Abstract: Forming of a valve head portion (1) of a hollow engine valve (V) comprising a material particularly satisfactory in heat resistance is performed by cold forging. The material with excellent heat resistance is worked to form a valve head portion semifinished product (11) having a hollow hole (S11) whose inner diameter (?11) is equal to the maximum inner diameter (?11) of a hollow hole (S1) of a finished product of the valve head portion (1), and having a diameter-increased section (111) whose maximum outer diameter (?12) is equal to the maximum outer diameter (?12) of a diameter-increased section (1a) of the finished product. Parts of the valve head portion semifinished product other than a central part to a lower part of the diameter-increased section (111) are necked down by cold forging performed a plurality of times to obtain the finished product of the valve head portion (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: FUJI HOLLOW VALVE INC., YOSHIMURA COMPANY
    Inventor: Hyoji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9440317
    Abstract: A system for mounting a scaffold on a balloon catheter includes two positioning and alignment stations, which are used to prepare a scaffold and catheter for crimping using the same crimping head. The system is configured for automated assembly of the scaffold and catheter prior to crimping and performing post-crimping inspection for the crimped scaffold and prior to placing a restraining sheath over the crimped scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Jason Van Sciver
  • Patent number: 9434432
    Abstract: A method for assembling motor vehicles, in particular personal motor vehicles having a self-supporting shell involves equipping the respective shell of the motor vehicle with a corresponding chassis and equipping the chassis with vehicle wheels at least before an end of a main assembly line has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Grevener, Uwe Habisreitinger, Andreas Krevet, Matthias Mueller, Thomas Stark, Konrad Wirth, Michael Zuern
  • Patent number: 9433991
    Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a radially expandable stent includes a pressure vessel, shaping balloon, and mandrel. The mandrel is configured to slidingly receive a stent thereon, and to be slidingly advanced into the pressure vessel. The shaping balloon is inflated to radially compress the stent onto the form of the mandrel; such compression need not be uniform. Pressurization of the shaping balloon facilitates the expansion of the balloon to achieve compression of the stent, with depressurization of the shaping balloon causing the balloon to return to an unexpanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Harvey H. Chen
  • Patent number: 9433987
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a stage tube that has a first tubular segment and a second tubular segment bordering mutually having different diameters includes: taking a metal plate that has a first segment and a second segment bordering mutually and having a first width and a second width, respectively, the first width being defined between two first paired edges, and the two second width being defined between two second paired edges; forming the first and second segments so as to define a first edge interval; rolling up the first and second segments so that the two first paired edges are jointed together and form the first tubular segment, while the second segment is formed to define a second edge interval; and rolling up the second segment so that the two second paired edges are jointed and form the second tubular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Jui-Kun Lin
  • Patent number: 9428286
    Abstract: Method of making a housing having wall panels (58, 60, 62 and 64) formed from a single, metallic work piece (50) by folding it at each of four locations defining corners all of which are spaced from opposite ends of the work piece (50) with at least one fold having an angle substantially different from a right angle and then securing together opposite ends (52, 54) of the work piece with a weld joint (56). As a result of bringing together the opposite ends, at least one of the panels curved in a stressed state and forms interior corner angles at opposite sides that are substantially different from a right angle. A closure base (48) is attached to the bottom of the wall assembly (44) to close and support the open bottom of the wall assembly (44), and as closure top (46) is attached an open top of the wall assembly (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FOOD EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Zbigniew G. Lassota, Bartosz Sokolski
  • Patent number: 9429314
    Abstract: Apparatus for a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication, with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is then imposed on one or more tube support plates, as the steam generator heats up. The tube support plate displacement system has only one part, a push rod, which is internal to the steam generator shroud, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, in the same or varying amounts and directions, and with one or more apparatus for each individual tube support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: BWXT Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard G Klarner, Robert S Horvath, Ghasem V Asadi, Paul W Shipp
  • Patent number: 9421549
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for very fine grinding which uses a rotor rapidly rotating in a compatible cylindrical housing where there is an improvement of a friction inducing surface on the cylindrical face to assist in the grinding effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: A NEW WAY OF LIVING PTY LTD
    Inventor: Michael Morrison
  • Patent number: 9420746
    Abstract: A round baler is provided having a frame, a baling chamber formed on the frame to form a round bale, a discharge region formed between the baling chamber and a base surface, and at least one handling element which is arranged in the discharge region and which extends parallel to the rotation axis of the round bale and serves to support the round bale during the discharge process. To reduce the mechanical load of the round bale, the handling element has an elastic layer which is elastically deformable under the effect of the round bale during the discharge process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Emmanuel Chapon, Mickael Zabe
  • Patent number: 9415970
    Abstract: A wire reel is detachably provided in a housing chamber of a binding machine body which binds a reinforcing bar. The wire reel includes a cylindrical hub portion which winds a wire, and a pair of parallel flanges overhanging outward from both external peripheral ends of the hub portions. A side wall inside the hub portion is formed of light-transmitting portions which allow the light from a transmissive photosensor provided in the binding machine body to be transmitted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakagawa, Kouji Katou, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9409224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for radially expanding a container body, including the steps of: i) providing a cylindrical container body having a longitudinal weld seam; ii) providing the container body at least one end with a flange; iii) clamping the container body circumferentially at the flange in a suspended state; and iv) radially expanding the suspended and clamped body from the clamped body end towards the suspended body end, to an apparatus therefore and to the container body and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Impress Group B.V.
    Inventor: Johan Willem Roeterdink
  • Patent number: 9409183
    Abstract: A pump and submersible solids processing arrangement includes a pump, having a suction inlet and discharge, and a submersible solids processing arrangement positioned in fluid communication with the suction inlet of the pump and being structured to macerate larger solids and matter that is entrained in a fluid to thereby reduce the size of the solids prior to entry of the fluid and solids into the inlet of the pump, the arrangement further including macerating members the speed and arrangement of which are selectively determinable or adjustable, and the arrangement further comprising an agitator arrangement for directing solids into the submersible solids processing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jamie W. Kean, Gary Saylor, David P. Nevin, Michael Hill
  • Patent number: 9409182
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its spaces as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Carson, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Patent number: 9404275
    Abstract: A binding wire twisting apparatus for tying reinforcing bars. A motor rotates a shaft upon which a member reciprocates from a rearward to a forward position. The apparatus includes opposed fingers with opposed channels for fed binding wire. When in the rearward position, the member drives a wire feeding unit that feeds binding wire though the fingers and around the reinforcing bars. When the leading end of the fed wire impacts an actuator of a four-way valve, a pneumatic cylinder reciprocates the member from the first to the second position, and a cutter cuts the wire. Once in the second position, gripping surfaces entrap and hold the ends of the wire, and the rotating member, while holding the ends of the wire between first and second grip pieces, twists and ties the wire around the reinforcing bars, and a torque-release clutch decouples the motor from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: PneuTools, Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick W. Lamb
  • Patent number: 9402347
    Abstract: A gate assembly for use with a baler that includes a belt guide mechanism coupled to a side of the baler frame and guide one or more belts used to form the bale. The gate assembly also includes a shield pivotably coupled to the side of the baler frame and configured to limit contact with one or more components of the baler. The gate assembly further includes a linkage assembly coupled between the belt guide mechanism and the shield. The belt guide mechanism is configured to pivot between a lower belt guide mechanism position and a raised belt guide mechanism position to allow the bale to be ejected from the bale chamber. The linkage assembly is configured to pivot the shield between a lower shield position and a raised shield position responsive to the pivoting of the belt guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9403168
    Abstract: A device for comminuting feedstock having a rotor, rotating within a housing around an axis, with rotor tools lying within the outer circumferential region on a circumferential ring and a stator, associated with the rotor, with stator tools arranged concentrically in the outer circumferential region and forming a comminuting surface, whereby the rotor tools and the stator tools lie opposite at a distance with the formation of a working gap and the stator tools are formed by segments, which to form the comminuting surface rest on the stator with their rear side and lie with their long sides against one another. The segments are attached to the stator in each case with their first short side and second short side by a positive fit, whereby the stator has a clamping element, which works together with the first short side and/or second short side to clamp the segments against the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: PALLMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hartmut Pallmann
  • Patent number: 9403336
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a screw crusher may utilize a cantilevered screw with an inverse tapered shaft with flighting for conveying the product up the length of the shaft for compression. The screw may include an end flight configured to provide thrust to the product for further conveyance beyond the end of the screw or additional compaction when utilized with a receiving container. An exemplary embodiment of the screw crusher may utilize a single moving element in relation to a cylindrical tube for compression of the product. Also, an exemplary screw compactor may utilize a fixed replaceable restrictor tube section and an efficient screw design making it more cost effective and efficient to operate than other known compactors. Furthermore, an example of the screw crusher may be fitted with perforated or the preferred ā€œVā€ Slotted tube to perform liquid removal in addition to the compaction of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Mark E. Koenig, Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9403245
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating turbine blades having holes for discharging cooling air. A protective layer is provided and then the holes that are partly or completely closed by the protective layer are opened again. Coordinates concerning the position of the holes are acquired before the protective layer is applied using a laser triangulation sensor using a light source generating a light beam and a light detector. The data obtained is used after application of the protective layer to control a removal device for removing protective layer partly or wholly covering the holes. Each hole is measured by the light beam being shone into the hole in different positions in relation to the longitudinal mid-axis of the latter. The light beam is shone into the respective hole in a plane at at least three different angles to the longitudinal mid-axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Nikolai Arjakine, Torsten Melzer-Jokisch, Dimitrios Thomaidis