Patents Examined by Brian Jennison
  • Patent number: 9802271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser material processing system for processing a workpiece by means of a laser beam, comprising an optical system having at least one optical component for focusing the laser beam to form a focal point on the workpiece or in a defined position relative to the workpiece, at least one inertial sensor for detecting a transitional and/or rotational acceleration of the at least one optical component of the optical system and/or the workpiece, and a processing unit connected to the at least one inertial sensor for determining a relative transitional and/or rotational acceleration between the focal point and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: PRECITEC GMBH & CO. KG, PRECITEC ITM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ingo Stork Genannt Wersborg, Frederik Born
  • Patent number: 9802263
    Abstract: In an electrical discharge machine that applies a voltage between an electrode and a workpiece to generate electrical discharge, an electrode holder holds the electrode. An ultrasonic motor has a fingertip that comes into contact with electrode holder, and moves electrode holder in a driving direction by moving the fingertip in an annular manner at an ultrasonic-range frequency. A roller bearing guides the movement of the electrode holder in the driving direction. A control circuit controls a position of the electrode in the driving direction by driving the ultrasonic motor, and moves the electrode holder based on an abnormality occurring in resistance against the movement of the electrode holder in the driving direction such that the electrode holder is moved by a movement distance equivalent to when the largest roller element among a plurality of roller elements of the roller bearing rolls and rotates once without sliding or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichirou Yasuda, Yasuji Inobe, Akira Itoh, Nobuhiko Nagai, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Ootani
  • Patent number: 9796036
    Abstract: Guide device for use in the processing, in particular welding, of curved surfaces, in particular pipe surfaces, comprising a flexible elongate body provided with a guide for processing means; tensioning means for tensioning the flexible body around the curved surface; wherein the flexible body is provided along its length with indicators arranged according to a determined pattern, this pattern being such that a determined position along the flexible body can be inferred on the basis of the detection of the indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Allseas Group S.A.
    Inventors: Maarten Willem Kastelein, Gerardus Maria Kramer
  • Patent number: 9799934
    Abstract: A vehicle electric battery controlling apparatus is applied to a vehicle including an on-board charger to charge a battery in the vehicle with power supplied from an external power source, a heater to warm the battery, and a DC-DC converter to reduce the voltage of power from the battery and then supply the battery power to the heater. The vehicle electric battery controlling apparatus includes a DC-DC converter controller to drive the DC-DC converter to supply the battery power to the heater before the charge of the battery by the on-board charger, and an on-board charger controller to drive the on-board charger such that the power source for the heater is gradually shifted from the battery to the external power source, after the DC-DC converter is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kuniaki Kaihara, Shohei Kawano, Hiroyuki Sakai, Atsushi Kodama, Yuya Suzuki, Yoshiaki Nishio, Hirofumi Yagura, Makoto Kamachi
  • Patent number: 9789560
    Abstract: An arc welding torch having a variable electrode receiving aperture including a number of discrete wedges guided within a conical interior surface of a housing to enable the use of electrodes of various diameters without changing components of the torch. An adjusting collar engages the wedges and forms an adjustable opening for an electrode to be inserted therein. Rotation of a tailpiece of the torch handle adjusts the position of the wedges and secures the electrode in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Jesse Rogers
  • Patent number: 9782854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for attaching corrective weights to a cylindrical outer surface of a rotor by means of electric resistance pressure welding, including an electrode (1) having a contact surface (20) for application against the rotor and comprising a supporting body (2) and a swinging body (6) having oppositely facing, congruent, spherical bearing surfaces (5, 8) suitable for abutting engagement with each other. The swinging body (6) is movably secured to the supporting body (2) such as to be able to perform limited swinging movements to all sides. A spring (14) arranged between the supporting body (2) and the swinging body (6) enables a gap to be produced between the spherical bearing surfaces (5, 8), whereby the contact surface (20) is in a position to align itself relative to the opposite surface of the rotor prior to pressure application by the welding force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Muth
  • Patent number: 9782851
    Abstract: A system and method for replaceable machine-mounted male input power connections includes a power connection unit that is at least partially arranged within a housing and configured to transfer power received from a power source to drive a welding process. The power connection unit includes an input configured to receive power from the power source, an output configured to deliver the power received at the input to drive the welding process, and a bus system, configured to connect the input and the output. The power connection unit also includes a male connector having a conductive post extending to a threaded cylindrical shaft. The male conductor forms at least a portion of the input or the output and extends from the housing through a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a correspondingly threaded portion configured to engage the threaded cylindrical shaft of the male connector to the bus system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Paul William Garvey, Scott S. Liebert
  • Patent number: 9776268
    Abstract: In an electrical discharge machine, the top end of a vertically extending electrode is supported by an electrode holder so as to be able to be raised and lowered, the circumferential surface of the bottom end of said electrode is supported by an electrode guide that is disposed so as to be able to move vertically with respect to the electrode holder, and the position of said electrode guide is detected by a position detection unit. This electrical discharge machine is provided with a work-tank raising/lowering device. During electrical discharge machining, said work-tank raising/lowering device raises/lowers a work tank, in accordance with the electrode-guide position (Hg) detected by the position detection unit, so as to set the distance from a prescribed part of the work tank to the electrode-guide position (Hg) equal to a prescribed value (Ha).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Hamada, Takayuki Shiomizu
  • Patent number: 9776906
    Abstract: An internal feature can be laser machined in strengthened glass sheets or panels by first laser machining a first scribe in a first surface proximate to the internal feature to be laser machined. The internal feature can be then laser machined by positioning a beam waist of a laser beam proximate to an opposite second surface by focusing the laser beam through the strengthened glass panel from the first surface. The internal feature is laser machined by repositioning the beam waist from the second surface to the first surface while removing material from a kerf surrounding the internal feature. When the laser beam waist is finally positioned proximate to the first surface material, the internal shape formed by the laser machining is easily and cleanly removed from the surrounding glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew Rekow, Yun Zhou, Nicolas Falletto
  • Patent number: 9775197
    Abstract: The invention is based on a protective device for a heating unit, in particular for a cooking apparatus (10), for protecting a heating unit against a hot air flow (44). To achieve an effective cooling effect, it is proposed that the protective device for a heating unit comprises a shielding element (68), which is provided for this purpose to shield a space (46) provided for a cold cooling air flow (42) for cooling the heating unit (14) against the hot air flow (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Almolda Fandos, Jose Maria Cozar Bartos, Rual Escartin Sanchez, Jose-Ramon Garcia Jimenez, Alfonso Lorente Perez, Jose Maria Marin Herrero, David Ortiz Sainz, Carmelo Pina Gadea, Demetrio Torrubia Marco
  • Patent number: 9770776
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for a welding device and, in particular, a hybrid welding device, that leverages a renewable energy source for a source of electrical current. The welding device can include one or more renewable energy kits that harvest renewable energy sources for performing a welding operation or a powering at least one of a device or component external to the welding device. The welding device includes renewable energy component that collects an input to convert to an electrical current that can be used as a replacement current, a supplemental current, or a complimentary current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir F. Farah, Adam Hruska
  • Patent number: 9771280
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for treating a liquid by providing a santitary type stainless steel hydrocyclone, flowing the liquid through the hydrocyclone, and turning on a plasma torch attached to the hydrocyclone such that a plasma arc irradiates the liquid. The hydrocyclone can be a forward flow hydrocyclone, a reverse flow hydrocyclone, a through flow hydrocyclone, a hydrocyclone pump or a volute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 9764407
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for quick identification and selection of torch processes based on a profile scheme. In an illustrated embodiment, a profile selectable via a one-click process may define operational parameters for one or more torch processes. Multiple profiles may be identified by corresponding labels that are visible on the face of the system. Furthermore, in an illustrated embodiment, the profiles and associated torch processes may be automatically stored in the system upon user configuration of the operational parameters. For example, in one embodiment, the user may select a profile and configure a welding process. Upon changing an operational parameter, it may be automatically saved to the selected profile and process. Reselection of that profile may recall the last used process and its associated parameters. The operational parameters of other configured processes may then be retrieved by selecting the desired process within the selected profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Markus Michael Dantinne, Edward Gerard Beistle
  • Patent number: 9763540
    Abstract: An outdoor charcoal grill may include a temperature sensor and a temperature adjustment device that is adjustable to control the heat applied to the food placed on a grate. A microprocessor may be programmable to set a food heating characteristic. The microprocessor may receive the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and automatically adjust the temperature adjustment device to control the heat applied to the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Seyed Amin Ghorashi Sarvestani
  • Patent number: 9766275
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the root-mean-square (RMS) voltage of an input voltage are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for determining the root-mean-square (RMS) voltage of an input voltage includes an amplifier to modify an amplitude of the input voltage signal; an amplitude detector, coupled to the amplifier, to transform the spectrum of the modified input voltage signal so that an increased portion of the signal is disposed within a desired frequency region; and a root-mean-square (RMS) converter, coupled to the amplitude detector, to determine the RMS voltage of the transformed input voltage signal, wherein a bandwidth of the RMS converter includes the desired frequency region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Oleg Serebryanov
  • Patent number: 9757902
    Abstract: A build description is created for a part intended to be built by additive layering. The build description includes a description of the part broken down into constituent substructures and a build sequence for the substructures. A power schedule calculation method utilizes the build description and an idealized geometry to predict laser power levels on an additive path during laser deposition. The method calculates beam power for any point along the path traveled to form the build. Each point along the path has associated with it an idealized geometry comprising a melt pool, hot zone and bulk portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Product Innovation and Engineering L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Eugene Sparks, Kenneth K. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9743794
    Abstract: A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein; a heating portion which heats water in the water storage chamber to generate steam; a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water; a water discharge passage which discharges water through a water discharge port defined in the water storage chamber; a steam spout port which spouts the steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough; and a rib integrally formed with an inner wall surface of the water storage chamber so as to cross an inside of the water storage chamber, the rib having a plurality of openings defined therein, wherein the openings are smaller than the water discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Yuji Hayakawa, Kuniaki Abe
  • Patent number: 9746189
    Abstract: The oven (1) of the present invention comprises a rear wall (4) that separates the cooking chamber (2) and the volume wherein the fan (3) is situated, a separator (5) which is located on the rear wall (4) and separates the cooking chamber (2) into two, and two side walls (8) having at least one passage (7) that provides air delivery into the cooking chamber (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventor: Murat Kantas
  • Patent number: 9731377
    Abstract: A method of bonding a first article to a second article, each article having a respective bond surface. The method comprises interposing a porous interlayer region between the bond surfaces of the first and second articles and subsequently using electrical resistance heating to locally heat the interlayer region under contact pressure to a bonding temperature below the melting temperature of the interlayer and the first and second articles to thereby bond the interlayer to the first and second articles to form a bonded article. The interlayer has a porosity of between approximately 10% and 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: John Forsdike, Daniel Clark
  • Patent number: 9731374
    Abstract: A cooled welding torch (1) having a cooling circuit, which cooling circuit extends via a nozzle fitting receiver (3) into a gas nozzle (9), and the gas nozzle (9) is attachable to the welding torch (1) by a defined turn, wherein the cooling circuit is routed through a redirecting element (5), which redirecting element (5) is positioned above the nozzle fitting receiver (3) and may be turned together with the gas nozzle (9), wherein a path of the cooling circuit is switchable by the position of the gas nozzle (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Oberndorfer, David Preundler, Stefan Puehringer, Anton Preundler