Patents Examined by David P. Bryant
  • Method of manufacturing a hollow article
    Patent number: 7946035
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow article (10) comprising the steps of cold pressing two members (30,34) to form at least one depression (32,36) in the members (30,34). Arranging the two members (30,34) in abutting relationship such that the at least one depression (32,36) defines at least one chamber between the two members (30,34). Sealing (41) the edges (40,42) of the two members (30,34) together to form a core structure (44). Positioning the core structure (44) in a mold (46) to define a cavity (48) between the external surface (50) of the core structure (44) and the internal surface (52) of the mold (46), the internal surface (52) of the mold (46) substantially defining the external shape of the hollow article (10). Filling the cavity (48) between the core structure (44) and the mold (46) with a powder material (54), sealing the open edge of the core structure (44) to the mold (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Ewan F. Thompson
  • Method for manufacturing a tribological component
    Patent number: 7946034
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an annular tribological component in the form of a seal or a sliding bearing of a brittle material. In order to attain the necessary sealing action even with a segmented construction, without expensive reprocessing being necessary in connection with the manufacture of segment surfaces bounding on one another, it is proposed that the annular component be formed of segments made by breaking a ring element and that the segments be assembled such that fractured surfaces fitting one another lie one upon the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Hück
  • Method of manufacturing a manifold for a heat exchanger
    Patent number: 7946036
    Abstract: A manifold for a heat exchanger includes a header radially surrounding and in spaced relationship to an axially extending distributor conduit. The distributor conduit is formed by bending the sheet along the leading edge, and the header is formed by bending a remainder of the sheet including a trailing edge about an axis in radially spaced relationship to the distributor conduit. The cross sections are completed and closed by placing the leading and trailing edges into contact with, and sealing the edges to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Earl Beamer, William L. Leacock
  • Blade outer seal assembly and method
    Patent number: 7941920
    Abstract: An outer seal assembly of a turbine rotor stage is secured within a circumferential groove of the turbine casing in such a manner as to both fix the outer seal assembly in its installed position and also provide for sealing around its outer periphery so as to thereby prevent the leakage of cooling air therearound. A plurality of arcuate elements having an angle-shaped cross sectional profile are provided to interface between radially extending arms of the outer seal assembly and the inner surface of the casing, with a locking mechanism then being applied to secure the two structures in their installed positions. Each of the arcuate elements includes a radially extending panel, a plurality of forwardly extending hooks that are disposed within a groove in the casing, and a second forwardly extending flange that engages the rear surface of the outer seal assembly arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph J. Thompson, Susan M. Tholen
  • Method of manufacturing a lightweight valve
    Patent number: 7941922
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lightweight valve is provided. The lightweight valve includes a valve stem, a hollow valve cone and a valve disk closing the valve cone, the valve stem being provided with a hollow space at an end facing the valve disk, the valve disk also having a force transmission element extending through the hollow valve cone into the stem hollow space. The method includes producing a first one-piece component forming the valve disk with the force transmission element by casting, forming and/or a powder metallurgy method, producing a second component forming the valve stem and the valve cone and joining the first and second components together and connecting them by a material, non-positive and/or positive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Holger Stark, Martin Schlegl
  • Methods and apparatus for an instrumented fastener
    Patent number: 7937817
    Abstract: An instrumented fastener (e.g., a “tack” fastener) includes one or more light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes) configured to produce a light beacon that includes encoded information regarding the instrumented fastener (e.g., part number), wherein the direction of the light beacon can be used to align external and/or internal assembly systems to the instrumented fasteners. The light beacon may be activated automatically, or via an instruction received from an external system. Once aligned, the assembly system may, for example, proceed with installing permanent fasteners between neighboring tack fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, Harry Asada
  • Split cable seal
    Patent number: 7937818
    Abstract: A method for sealing a cable in an enclosure includes assembling a first portion and a second portion of a cable seal around a cable. The first and second portions of the cable seal define a central axial opening having a sealing surface. The cable is disposed in the central axial opening. The method further includes inserting the cable seal and cable through an entrance of a generally u-shaped cable entry point of a side of an enclosure and positioning the cable seal within the cable entry point such that the cable seal protrudes from opposite surfaces of the side. An outer gasket seals between the surfaces of the side of the enclosure and the cable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Holmberg, James J. Solheid
  • Fluid delivery valve system and method of assembling
    Patent number: 7937836
    Abstract: A method of assembling a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include coupling an upper member having a piercing member to a base having a base fluid channel. The method can also include disposing a stem member at least partially within the base fluid channel and disposing a sealing member in the base fluid channel. The sealing member preferably has a flow aperture and a sealing member bottom surface, and facilitates sealing of the flow apertures when the sealing member bottom surface abuts a top surface of the stem member. The method can further include disposing a spring element within the base fluid channel, wherein a portion of the spring element abuts the lower surface to apply a biasing force to the stem member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Hydropac/Lab Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George S. Gabriel, Neil E. Campbell, Chinsoo Park
  • Method of remanufacturing and salvaging hydraulic pumps
    Patent number: 7934303
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump can be remanufactured to save the investment in its components that are not seriously worn or failed. Some of the worn components, such as the pump barrel and yoke, can be salvaged by replacing or rebuilding the worn features. In particular, a worn internal spline on the pump barrel can be replaced by a spline insert that is threaded to the pump barrel and includes a new internal spline. A worn actuation tab on a yoke for contacting an actuating piston can be replaced by adding a new tab wear button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Usama Y. Awwad, Trent A. Simpson
  • Split bearing and method of making the same
    Patent number: 7930827
    Abstract: A split bearing generally includes first and second bearing halves each having complementary partial shaft receiving portions, wherein the first and second bearing halves are substantially identically configured. The split bearing further includes fasteners for releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves together, such that when coupled, the complementary partial shaft receiving portions of the first and second bearing halves define a center bearing thru-hole for receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, the first and second bearing halves can be removed from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Moxee Innovations Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Sandin
  • Blowout resistant weld method for laser welds for press-fit parts
    Patent number: 7930825
    Abstract: A method for reducing “blow-out” of annular welds for attaching press-fit components in a fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The method employs a multi-step welding procedure whereby a first annular weld bead that corresponds to less than 360° of rotation of the assembly about a longitudinal axis leaves a radial void that is thereafter sealed with a second annular weld bead. In an alternative embodiment, a relief region is formed on radially-facing surfaces of the components, the relief region being disposed adjacent to a press-fit region. A sealed gap is thereby formed in the relief region between the welds and the press-fit region. The sealed gap provides a further means for expansion of trapped gases that could otherwise “blow out” the liquid weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Fochtman, Jack David Oliver
  • Method for manufacturing hydrodynamic bearings
    Patent number: 7926182
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing with hydrodynamic pressure generating grooves comprises steps of: step 201: providing a substrate with a first annular protrusion and a plurality of projections formed on a periphery thereof, the projections being in a side of the first annular protrusion; step 202: placing the substrate in a middle of a hollow mold, then injecting a feedstock of powder and molten binder under pressure into the mold to surround the substrate, thus forming a desired bearing preform; step 203: separating the substrate from the bearing preform by means of catalytic debinding; step 204: separating the molten binder from the bearing preform; step 205: sintering the bearing preform to thereby form the hydrodynamic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Shu Hou
  • Method for making a reinforcement device for a concrete structural member, and method for strengthening the concrete structural member
    Patent number: 7926181
    Abstract: A method for making a reinforcement device for a concrete structure includes the steps of (a) installing a plurality of parallel reinforcement rebars, and (b) embracing the reinforcement rebars with a cable unit by winding the cable unit around the reinforcement rebars. The cable unit has a plurality of wires twisted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Yeou-Fong Li, Yan-Jie Lin, Hsi-Hsun Chen
  • Reinforcements, baffles and seals with malleable carriers
    Patent number: 7926179
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process of forming reinforcements, baffles and seals having malleable carriers. The process typically includes application of an activatable material to a malleable carrier and contouring of the activatable material the malleable carrier or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Gray, Thomas L. Coon, Matthew Thomas
  • Method of fuel nozzle construction
    Patent number: 7926178
    Abstract: A method of assembling a fuel nozzle includes providing a first nozzle component and a second nozzle component, wherein the first nozzle component is configured and adapted to engage within the second nozzle component. Braze is applied to at least one of the first and second nozzle components. The first nozzle component is assembled into the second nozzle component to provide a diametral interference fit therebetween. The method further includes joining the first and second nozzle components together. A fuel nozzle includes a first cylindrical nozzle component, a second cylindrical nozzle component disposed with an interference fit on an outward surface of the first nozzle component, and a layer of braze joiningly disposed between the first and second nozzle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Neal Thomson, Derrick Clausen, Kevin Groeneveld
  • Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7921559
    Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Jens Nies, Roland Straehle, Rainer Käsinger, Siegfried Eisele, Bernhard Stephan
  • Exhaust gas treatment device and method for making the same
    Patent number: 7921557
    Abstract: A device for treatment of exhaust gases includes a housing, a fragile structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and a non-intumescent mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile structure. The mounting mat includes a plurality of inorganic fibers that have undergone a surface treatment to increase the holding force performance of the mounting mat. Also disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Unifrax I LLC
    Inventors: John D. Ten Eyck, Amit Kumar
  • Conductive roller
    Patent number: 7922637
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive roller which has excellent resilience in response to deformation and exhibits small variation in electrical resistance. The conductive roller has a metallic core, a conductive elastic layer formed on the outer surface of the core to which layer conductivity has been imparted by carbon black, and a surface-treated layer formed through impregnating a surface of the conductive elastic layer with a surface-treatment liquid, wherein the difference ?Hs (Hs1?Hs2) between micro-hardness Hs1 of a surface of the conductive roller and micro-hardness Hs2 of the conductive elastic layer after removal of the surface-treated layer, the hardness being determined by means of a micro-hardness tester, is 5% or less of the micro-hardness Hs2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Synztec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Motokawa, Kenta Shikakura
  • Bedding or seating product made with coil springs having unknotted end turns with bumps
    Patent number: 7921561
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Method of forming a large diameter extruded pipe
    Patent number: 7921560
    Abstract: A self-aligning flange includes a flange member, a collar member and a stop member. An inner perimeter of the collar member is sized to receive an outer perimeter of a pipe. The flange member extends outward from an outer perimeter of the collar member. The stop member extends inward from the inner perimeter of the collar member. A large diameter extruded pipe includes a continuous cross section of at least six inches in diameter. It is preferable to weld a flange to one end of the large diameter extruded pipe. Immediately after the large diameter extruded pipe has been formed in an extrusion press, it is sprayed with a coolant to increase the surface hardness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: RASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Dresang, Peter W. Utecht