Patents Examined by Brian Jennison
  • Patent number: 9629502
    Abstract: A convection recirculating food product fryer with a fry tank with and inlet tube connected to a heat exchanger and an outlet connected to a magnetic pump with an outlet tube to the heat exchanger, the pump having a driving magnet assembly housing an impeller and a driven magnet, with a ceramic shaft extending through the impeller about which the impeller rotates when pumping oil; an electric motor magnetically coupled to the magnetic pump; a burner to heat the oil in the heat exchanger; a controller to control the ignition and running of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PEARL CITY MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: David R. Highnote
  • Patent number: 9630268
    Abstract: Erosion electrodes and associated devices, systems, and methods for providing improved performance during a process driven by FEED and facilitated by fluid flushing of a worksite is disclosed. Use of erosion electrodes having varying cross-sectional geometries result in customizable channels, within which the FEED process may proceed, improving efficiency and efficacy of the process as the erosion electrode is advanced longitudinally into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Perfect Point EDM Corp.
    Inventors: Mervyn Rudgley, James Legge
  • Patent number: 9624080
    Abstract: A method for producing a fork arm (18) for load-carrying devices, said fork comprising a fork blade (5) which is substantially horizontal in the operating position, and a substantially vertical fork back (20) that connects via a fork bend (19) to said fork blade and is provided with connection elements (2, 3) for the conveying device, wherein the fork arm consists of a plurality of parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) that are connected to one another, at least a number of said parts are welded to one another, and parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) of the fork arm are welded to one another by electron beam welding and/or laser welding, wherein the weld penetrates planarly with a depth of at least 15 mm between adjoining surfaces of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Philipp Szlezak
  • Patent number: 9622294
    Abstract: The present invention, as frequently practiced, represents a methodology for carrying out thermal management testing. Inventive practice provides desired temperature characteristics without incurring the safety risks associated with Lithium-ion batteries. An exemplary inventive device includes a spiral-wound electrical resistance heater, and simulates the heat generation profile within a Lithium-ion cell through the use of the resistance heater. The construction of the resistance heater is tailored not only to mimic the localized heating profile of the Lithium-ion cell of interest, but also to match thermal properties of the Lithium-ion cell (such as radial thermal conductivity, axial thermal conductivity, and heat capacity). An exemplary inventive device is constructed out of inert materials and hence is inherently safe to carry out thermal management testing, thereby obviating the need for expensive and time-consuming safety qualifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Jason K. Ostanek
  • Patent number: 9616515
    Abstract: A method of operating a welding power supply (20) during a welding process in which an electric arc (95) between a consumable electrode (94) and a work piece (102) is generated while feeding the consumable electrode (94) and moving the arc (95) in relation to the work piece (102) along a welding track (103), wherein a transition between a DC power output of the welding power supply and an AC power output of the welding power supply, or vice versa, is made without interruption of the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ESAB AB
    Inventor: Per Aberg
  • Patent number: 9610648
    Abstract: Provided is a spot welded joint (10) which includes at least one thin steel plate with a tensile strength of 750 MPa to 1850 MPa and a carbon equivalent Ceq of equal to or more than 0.22 mass % to 0.55 mass % and in which a nugget (3) is formed in an interface of the thin steel plates (1A, 1B). In a nugget outer layer zone, a microstructure consists of a dendrite structure in which an average value of arm intervals is equal to or less than 12 ?m, an average grain diameter of carbides contained in the microstructure is 5 nm to 100 nm, and a number density of carbides is equal to or more than 2×106/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hatsuhiko Oikawa, Hideki Hamatani, Masafumi Azuma, Noriyuki Suzuki, Fuminori Watanabe, Naoki Maruyama, Hiroyuki Kawata
  • Patent number: 9610651
    Abstract: A laser lift-off method includes generating a plurality of solid state laser pulses, converting the plurality of solid state laser pulses to an ultraviolet frequency, adjusting the transverse spatial intensity profile of the plurality of laser pulses across perpendicular transverse axes to be rectangular in shape with the shape along each transverse axis corresponds to a super-Gaussian of order eight or higher, and scanning the plurality of laser pulses across the target along a direction parallel to one of the transverse axes in order to produce laser lift-off on the target. Systems for laser lift-off are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Martinsen
  • Patent number: 9615404
    Abstract: A consumable electrode arc welding method includes the detecting of a constriction formed in a molten droplet of the welding wire so as to reduce the welding current, the detecting of a smoothed value of the welding current, and the feedback controlling of the feed rate of the welding wire so as to make the smoothed value of the welding current correspond to a predetermined current setting value. The constriction detection is performed repetitively in a predetermined cycle. In each time of the repetition, the length of a constriction time, from the constriction detection till the arc generation, is measured. The number of constriction time lengths falling outside a predetermined range is counted. When the counted number is not less than a reference number, the transient response time of the feedback control is made longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventors: Kento Takada, Toshiaki Nakamata
  • Patent number: 9615407
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for inductively heating a heating element, particularly via a magnetic field generated by an induction coil, having an induction coil connected to a resonant circuit, whereby the resonant circuit has at least one first capacitor and at least one first current source, and the coil has a specific inductance and a resistance, and the material of the heating element has a constant permeability at least in temperature subranges, and a method for determining a temperature of a heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Harri Pankratz, Hans-Joachim Thiemann
  • Patent number: 9604315
    Abstract: Provided is a welding method and electrodes (wires) with aluminum as a primary deoxidizer and a basic flux system for joining a workpieces with weld metal of comparable strengths and enhanced toughness. For instance, provided is a welding wire, comprising an aluminum content configured to act as a primary deoxidizer, and an overall composition configured to produce a weld deposit comprising a basic slag over a weld bead, wherein the aluminum content is configured to kill the oxygen in the weld pool, and wherein the oxygen comprises oxygen provided by a shielding gas or produced by heating of welding filler materials. Further provided is a welding method comprising arc welding a workpiece using an electrode having aluminum as a primary deoxidizer under a gas shield to produce a bead of weld deposit and a basic slag over the weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Mario Anthony Amata, Joseph C. Bundy
  • Patent number: 9604301
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method to determine the weld joint penetration from arc voltage measurements in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). It is based on an observation on the dynamic weld pool surface in GTAW—the surface tends to first expand toward the electrode and then be pushed away from the electrode after full penetration is established. For the pool surface in GTAW, localized partial keyholes around the arc axis as in plasma arc welding are not significant. The pool surface is relatively smooth. The arc voltage that reflects changes in the arc length thus first tends to reduce and then increases after full penetration is established. This invention thus tracks the arc voltage until the decrease slope becomes insignificant. Once full penetration is established, the current is reduced to decrease the weld penetration or first decrease the penetration growth for a certain period and then decrease the weld penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: YuMing Zhang, Xiangrong Li, Zeng Shao
  • Patent number: 9609733
    Abstract: A front end assembly for a plasma torch and methods for assembling and disassembling a torch wherein a plurality of front end parts form a unit that is removable from, and installable in, the torch in a single operation without a special fixture. The front end assembly includes a nozzle retaining cup body connectable to a body of the torch, and a forward end connectable to a shield retainer. A nozzle retaining cup insert fits into the nozzle retaining cup body. The shield retainer has an inner surface for retaining the shield. A nozzle is received within the nozzle retaining cup insert. A stop on the nozzle engages the nozzle retaining cup insert when the front end assembly is removed from the torch so the nozzle does not remain in the torch. The shield engages an insulator, which engages the nozzle, to limit forward axial movement of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The ESAB Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Stanley Severance, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9604303
    Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Charles L. Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin, Chris J. Roehl
  • Patent number: 9604302
    Abstract: An engine-driven welder generator is controlled based upon power draw for welding and other applications. Once a welding arc is initiated, the power draw is monitored. The engine speed, and therefore the power output of the generator, may be increased or maintained based upon the power draw. The power draw may include both welding power draw and auxiliary power draw. The engine speed is increased in increments. The initial engine speed and subsequent increments may depend upon particular welding processes or regimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Randall J. DuVal, Daniel C. Fosbinder, Nathan J. Jochman, Christopher J. Wierschke, John C. Leisner
  • Patent number: 9597915
    Abstract: Bookbinding apparatus adhesive applicator accurately, briefly controls adhesive temperature to a set value by selecting, in accordance with adhesive initial temperature, one of a plurality of temperature-controller heating modes defining different supply powers and supply durations for supplying power to an adhesive-container heater to control its heating temperature. A sensor detects the temperature of the adhesive in the container at applicator start-up, or on restarting a post-standby applicator. In accordance with the detected temperature, one of the heating modes is selected to heat the adhesive. The applicator warm-up time is thus set in response to the state of the adhesive: If solidified, the adhesive is heated and melted in a maximum supply-power, supply-duration mode; if low-temperature liquefied, it is heated and melted in a second-magnitude supply-power, supply-duration mode; and if the adhesive temperature is high, it is heated and melted in a minimal supply-power, supply-duration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Sasamoto, Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9592565
    Abstract: A power supply includes an electrical component having at least one pin extending a first distance from a body portion of the electrical component to a circuit board. The power supply also includes a heat sink coupled to the body portion of the electrical component and extending substantially parallel to the at least one pin for approximately the first distance from the body portion to the circuit board. In one embodiment, the at least one pin of the electrical component is not trimmed during assembly of the power supply. In another embodiment, the power supply includes a heat sink hanging over an edge of the circuit board. Moreover, in certain embodiments, a transformer lead is coupled to a diode using a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Dennis R. Sigl
  • Patent number: 9592567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a welding head (1) comprising a heat-resistant electrode (2) for carrying out TIG welding operations on workpieces, in which the electrode (2) is movably mounted and can also be caused to move by a device (20). The electrode (2) preferably carries out either a rotating movement about the axis (A) thereof or an oscillating movement about said axis. During a preferably manual welding operation, undesired alloying-up is thus excluded during accidental contact between the electrode (2) and the workpiece to be welded. Moreover, repeated adhesion of liquefied welding filler material to the electrode (2) can be substantially prevented in the event that a welding filler material is supplied. With welding heads (1) which are cooled by means of a fluid circuit, said circuit, in cooperation with a turbine, can also be used to drive a rotating electrode (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Weiss
  • Patent number: 9586287
    Abstract: A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB
    Inventors: Sten Borell, Tomas Rostvall
  • Patent number: 9591700
    Abstract: A microwave appliance and method for operating a microwave appliance are provided. The method includes operating a fan of the microwave appliance in order to draw a flow of air through a circulation conduit of the microwave appliance, measuring an air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit with a sensor of the microwave appliance, and deactivating the fan of the microwave appliance if the air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit of the microwave appliance exceeds a threshold value. In such a manner, the flow or air can be properly filtered without operating the fan of the microwave appliance excessively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Armstrong, Joshua Stephen Wiseman
  • Patent number: 9587604
    Abstract: A method for controlling electrical power applied to a fuel heater includes applying power to the heater, determining a value for an electrical parameter that varies as a function of the temperature of the heater, and determining a value representative of the time rate of change of the electrical parameter. The method further includes determining the value of the electrical parameter corresponding to a change in the time rate of change of the electrical parameter, wherein the change in the time rate of change of the electrical parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, and controlling electrical power applied to the heater so as to maintain the temperature of the heater about a target temperature that is a predetermined level below the heater temperature at the time at which said change in the time rate of change of the electrical parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Kabasin, Jason C. Short