Patents Examined by Carlos Gamino
  • Patent number: 8016179
    Abstract: A friction stir welding tool having a shoulder section with a scroll pattern that terminates prior to the edge or boundary of the shoulder section to create a scroll-free concentric surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wichita State University
    Inventor: Dwight A. Burford
  • Patent number: 8011556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for the connecting of strips to an endless strip with a clamping arrangement (110, 120) with a clamping device (110-r, 120-r) on the inlet side and a clamping device (110-l, 120-l) on the outlet side, a cutting arrangement (155) with an upper cutter (150) and a lower cutter (130) and with a joining arrangement, in which at least the clamping device (110-r, 120-r) on the inlet side and/or the clamping device (110-l, 120-l) on the outlet side is constructed as a premountable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Behrens, Robert Berg, Lutz Küemmel, Manuel Bendler, Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter De Kock, Michael Tomzig
  • Patent number: 8011558
    Abstract: A robotic welding system and method includes multiple welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement, multiple perimeter light curtains to provide safety protection around the welding cells, a turntable centrally located in the circular arrangement, and multiple welding robots attached to the turntable. The welding system and method further includes a first welding process and a second welding process whereby both the first welding process and the second welding process each include a primary welding operation and a secondary welding operation whereby the turntable rotates between the welding cells to perform the primary and secondary welding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Charbel, Yoshinori Ishihata, Julia Zoldak
  • Patent number: 8006890
    Abstract: An apparatus for a friction stir and a friction stir processing of the present invention suppress an occurrence of a surface defect in an area processed by the friction stir. The apparatus for the friction stir includes a tool having a columnar tip-side part, a rotating unit for rotating the tool on a central axis, a first pressing unit for pressing a tip of the tool rotated by the rotating unit against a work, a jig having a tool insertion hole into which the tip-side part of the tool is inserted so that the tip-side part of the tool is encircled around the jig, a second pressing unit for slidably pressing the jig against the work, and a press control unit for controlling the first pressing unit so that the tip-side part of the tool is gradually pulled out of the work by the first pressing unit while moving the tool and the jig relative to the work, in a state that the tool is rotated by the rotating unit and the tip of the tool has been sunk into the work to a predetermined depth by the first pressing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Okamoto, Seung Hwan Park, Satoshi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8002167
    Abstract: A method for connecting a tube and a cast component includes widening an end section of the tube to form a widened section, positioning the cast component adjacent to the widened section, and welding the cast component to enclose at least a portion of the widened section with a weld deposit in at least one step, thereby locking the tube and the cast component together. A connection between a tube and a cast component is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Zuber, Michael Wibbeke, Simon Potthast
  • Patent number: 7997472
    Abstract: When a friction stir weld tool penetrates the interface of two workpieces of dissimilar metal alloy materials, the resultant weld of the different alloy materials may produce a weak weld joint. Such weak joints are often experienced, for example, when attempting to form spot welds or other friction stir welds between a magnesium alloy sheet or strip and an aluminum alloy sheet or strip. It is discovered that suitable coating compositions including an adhesive placed at the interface of assembled workpieces can alter the composition of the friction stir weld material and strengthen the resulting bond. In the example of friction stir welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy workpieces, it is found that combinations of an adhesive with copper, tin, zinc, and/or other powders can strengthen the magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing friction stir weld material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Szymanski, Sri Krishna Chimbli, Mark T. Hall, Yen-Lung Chen
  • 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: 7984839
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding device for welding two components has a rod-shaped first sonotrode for the generation of longitudinal waves and is coupled on its first end to a first converter and on its second end opposite the first end to a second converter. A first welding surface is provided in the middle of the first sonotrode. To improve durability and welding performance, a second sonotrode which is coupled to at least one third converter and is configured as a torsion sonotrode, has a second welding surface arranged opposite the first welding surface. The first and second sonotrodes can be moved relatively to each other such that a clamping force between the first and the second welding surface can be applied to the components to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Telsonic Holding AG.
    Inventor: Albert Büttiker
  • Patent number: 7980445
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method, are provided to deposit conductive bonding material into cavities in a mold. A fill head is placed in substantial contact with a mold that includes cavities. The fill head includes a sealing member that substantially encompasses an entire area to be filled with conductive bonding material. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, John P. Karidis, Mark D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7975899
    Abstract: A work clamp and a wire bonding apparatus that can sufficiently restrain oxidation of a bonding area even while reducing an amount of antioxidant gas that is used are provided. The work clamp includes an interior hollow portion 10 providing an atmosphere of the antioxidant gas, a lower opening portion 11a provided below the interior hollow portion, for containing the bonding area in the interior hollow portion, an upper opening portion 11 provided above the interior hollow portion, for exposing the bonding area, a cavity 13 covering the interior hollow portion and having an area larger than an opening area of the upper opening portion, gas introduction ports 14a, 14b provided at the cavity, for introducing the antioxidant gas into the cavity, and holes 21 connected to below the cavity, for blowing the antioxidant gas introduced from the gas introduction port to a portion other than the bonding area of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kaijo Corporation
    Inventors: Riki Jindo, Hideki Yoshino, Mami Kushima
  • Patent number: 7954692
    Abstract: An auxiliary member is inserted into holes of opposite portions of a main member such that opposite ends of the auxiliary member extend outwardly through the holes. A joining tool is pushed, while being rotated, against one of the ends of the auxiliary member, so that the material of the auxiliary member softened due to frictional heat and plastic flow is deformed and pushed inside the main member via the hole. The tool is released to allow the plastic flow portion of the auxiliary member into solidification. Then, a similar operation is performed with respect to the other end of the auxiliary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7954689
    Abstract: A wire tensioner is provided for a wire bonder, the wire tensioner comprising a tubular body having a bore through which bonding wire is receivable and a bore outlet at an end of the tubular body from which the bonding wire is extendable towards a bonding tool. A chamber is formed next to the bore outlet that substantially encloses the bore outlet, the chamber including an air inlet connected to it that is operative to introduce clean air into the chamber. A vacuum outlet is connected to a side of the tubular body and is in fluid communication with the chamber via the bore, the vacuum outlet being operative to draw air from the bore outlet through the bore whereby to pull the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Ka Shing Kenny Kwan, Yue Zhang, Yam Mo Wong
  • Patent number: 7946470
    Abstract: A method for accurately depositing a required volume of solder material on a specific area of a lead frame, substrate or other part of an electronic component to be bonded by reflow of solder material to another part into a reliable, void-free connection during a subsequent assembly step comprises the following steps. Minute particles of solder material whose cumulative volume corresponds to the total volume to be deposited are loaded into a cavity cut into a fixture made from a material such as graphite. The cavity delineates the specific area of deposit. The part is then laid upon the fixture and immobilized thereon by a cover made from a material such as graphite. The fixture and its enclosed part are then subjected to solder material melting temperature under a controlled atmosphere in a furnace. The cavity is patterned and dimensioned to accommodate the right number of uniformly dimensioned particles necessary to precisely create the desired deposit of solder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Semx Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Huth, Lawrence C. Monterulo
  • Patent number: 7926694
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and method that allows manufacturing of steel poles and honeycomb columns. It consists of placing previously cut strips of steel in vertical position with a set of top and bottom clamping devices to form a steel tapered pole. The strips of steel are welded together, to form a steel pole or honeycomb column, with a slideable welding device mounted on a ascending and descending moving welding platform. The moving welding platform moves to the top position, the top clamping device is liberated and the finished pole or honeycomb column is tilted 90 degrees to the front of the machine by a hydraulic cylinder that tilts the extraction platform. The finished pole or honeycomb column is positioned in the extraction bed and the bottom clamps release the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Enrique Franco
  • Patent number: 7926693
    Abstract: A receiving element which can be introduced into a borehole of at least one component includes a bolt presenting an outer surface that is approximately parallel and advantageously coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the bolt. The receiving element requires few materials and can therefore be produced at a low constructional cost while being provided with high dimensional stability and positioning accuracy. The bold includes an abrasion-resistant sintered material, and a metal tip provided on the front end of the shaft. The end part of the tip is engageable in a recess of the bolt, and there is a direct connection between the end part and the recess in the connection region on the front end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Friatec Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Schramm
  • Patent number: 7922066
    Abstract: The process that is the subject of this invention is a method of making a rotary sputtering target having the steps of providing a cylinder of sputtering target material having an adhesion-wetting layer on its inside surface; providing a stainless steel sputtering target backing tube having an outside diameter smaller than the sputtering target material inside diameter, the backing tube having an adhesion-wetting layer on its outside surface; welding an upper and lower stainless steel retaining ring to the backing tube adjacent to the sputtering target material so that the target material is in compression and the backing tube in tension; and introducing molten bonding material into the annulus between the backing tube and the sputtering target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soleras, LTd.
    Inventors: Al Nolette, Paul Carter, Dean Plaisted, Alan Plaisted
  • Patent number: 7918378
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for enabling the efficient fabrication of wedge-bonding of integrated circuit systems and electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Pham
  • Patent number: 7909225
    Abstract: A friction-stir tool including a rotary-drivable tool body, at whose end facing away from the drive is provided a shoulder, from which extends in the direction of that end of the tool body that faces away from the drive, a rotatable rod-shaped projection that has a smaller diameter than the shoulder. The surface of the shoulder that points in the direction of the projection is form-adaptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Ulrike Henneboehle, Jürgen Silvanus
  • Patent number: 7909226
    Abstract: A method for producing a longitudinally welded hollow profile from a sheet metal blank having defined longitudinal edges, in which the sheet metal blank is initially preformed into an open seam profile with the aid of at least two tool parts allows for the economical production of accurately formed hollow profiles. This is achieved in that to produce the open seam profile, the sheet metal blank, by a change in the relative position of the tools parts, is placed freely around a mandrel positioned between the tool parts and extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal blank, the outer shape of which mandrel determines the inner shape of the hollow profile to be produced, and in that the shaping of the open seam profile obtained is then completed in one or more stages in each case by a further change of the relative position of the tool parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Michael Brüggenbrock, Thomas Flehmig, Wladimir Rituper, Mohamed Tohfa
  • Patent number: 7896222
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with Nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint. A series of diagrams of the interface at various stages of brazing is illustrated by FIG. 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Regents of The University of Michigan, Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: John A. Shaw, David S Grummon