Patents Examined by Eric Compton
  • Patent number: 7036207
    Abstract: A plurality of stator arc segments form a toroidal core for a stator assembly used to make a motor. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of magnetic fields is created when electrical current is conducted through wire wound around poles on the toroidal core. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors and holds the stator arc segments in contact with each other in the toroidal core. Hard disc drives using the motor, and methods of constructing the motor and hard disc drives are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 7036227
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing ratchet wheels including the steps of: forming a cylindrical forging billet by hot or cold forging, the forging billet having a thru hole of inter-communicating recesses which are pre-formed in a forging die; providing a broach having teeth formed thereon; machining the forging billet into a workpiece having a sidewall with two annular grooves on the sidewall; forming a semi-product having a driving recess which is complementary in shape to the teeth by operating the broach through the workpiece along the thru hole; and forming a finished product having a plurality of teeth on a sidewall thereof by milling the semi-product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: David Ling, Hsien Chung Tuan-Mu
  • Patent number: 7032313
    Abstract: Heat exchange inefficiencies found in round tube plate fin heat exchangers are eliminated in an aluminum heat exchanger that includes first and second headers (20), (22) and at least one flattened tube (24), (70) extending between the headers (20), (22). A plurality of generally parallel tube runs are defined and each has opposite edges. A plurality of plate fins (26), (50) are arranged in a stack and each has a plurality of open ended slots (34), one for each run of the tubes (24), (70). Each of the tube runs (24), (70) is nested within corresponding slots (26) and the fins (26), (50) with one of the edges (40) of the tube runs extending outwardly of the corresponding fin (26). The assembly is brazed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen Memory, Gregory Hughes, Winston Zhang, C. James Rogers, Craig Grohman, Edward Robinson, Richard Mielke, Jonathan P. Wattelet, Lawrence Gabbey, Richard J. Trapp
  • Patent number: 7032314
    Abstract: Wear resistant jewelry apparatus and methods of making the same wherein articles of jewelry are made from sinterable metal and/or ceramic powder materials compressed into a predetermined configuration and then sintered to form a blank from which a jewelry item may be made and to which softer precious metals, stones, crystals or other materials suitable for use in jewelry may be affixed. Such items of jewelry may have multiple facets and can be fabricated using various disclosed techniques and various combinations of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Trent West
  • Patent number: 7028381
    Abstract: A method for producing a cast/sheet-metal composite body, comprising the following steps: provide a casting mold (12), place at least one sheet-metal part (11) in the casting mold (12), produce a cast part (2) interconnected with the at least one sheet-metal part (11), and apply pressure to the at least one sheet-metal part (11) to form a hollow space (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Pflueger
  • Patent number: 7024757
    Abstract: This invention relates to fabrication of tube bank style heat exchangers and similar assemblies. It provides a novel device and a method for presenting and feeding multiple relatively flexible tubes in a predetermined spaced apart manner, and subsequently threading them through corresponding holes in tube-sheets, baffles or similar components during fabrication of the core structure, for example a heat exchanger core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Cesaroni Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Gordon James Clarke, Michael Nicola Rozyle
  • Patent number: 7024736
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer metal feedstock material for stamping shaped parts eliminates the need for rolls of metal at the stamping site. Multilayer metal feedstock material is assembled from multiple rolls of metal stock, then folded in a zig zag fashion, or “Z-fold” configuration, whereby the multilayer metal assembly is stacked vertically, usually on conventional pallets, for ease of moving with a forklift or otherwise. The multilayer metal z-fold stack of material is then transported to a parts stamping operation where the material is used as it unfolds as a continuous feed to machines to produce shaped multilayer metal parts. This invention is most useful in making multilayer metal foil z-fold feedstock material and using the z-fold material as continuous feed to processes for making shaped multilayer metal foil parts. The layers may have non-metal layers of material, such as fiber, between the metal layers or on the outside of the metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: ATD Corporation
    Inventors: G. William Ragland, J. Bradley Pearce, Christopher V. Ragland
  • Patent number: 7020962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cams (1) for a camshaft. The cams are produced by bending together the ends of long profile strips (4) or by bending and putting together several pieces of profile strips in a circumferential direction. Cams produced in such a way are preferably welded onto the shaft. The invention also relates to suitable welding methods such as resistance welding, laser-beam or electron-beam welding and corresponding devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Karl Merz
  • Patent number: 7017268
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for temporarily reforming or deforming the lip portion of a resinous seal so that the seal may be readily installed in an intended application. The invention includes a method and apparatus that includes a fixed frame unit having two leg portions and a backbone portion, a slot in each position, an axle in each slot, and roller assemblies received over each axle, with adjustment means for each axle, the guide rollers being circumferentially spaced apart and the center or reforming roller being adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Lang
  • Patent number: 7013565
    Abstract: A removable collector for liquid cooled exhaust includes a retention member, a coolant transfer plate and a collector housing. The retention member fits between at least two exhaust jacket pipes and is attached thereto. Holes are formed through the coolant transfer plate to receive the at least two exhaust jacket pipes and exhaust pipes. The coolant transfer plate is secured to the retention member with fasteners. At least one coolant opening is formed through each exhaust jacket pipe at substantially an end thereof, adjacent a coolant passage cavity in the coolant transfer plate. The collector housing is attached to the coolant transfer plate. Coolant flows between the exhaust pipes and exhaust jacket pipes; through the coolant transfer plate; and through the collector housing. The removable collector for liquid cooled exhaust may be removed from the exhaust pipes by removing the fasteners. The exhaust pipes may be retained in a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph R. Zelinski
  • Patent number: 7013551
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a method of manufacturing a thin wall isogrid casing by a chip machining process comprises the steps of: positioning a substantially cylindrical casing (10) on a support (20); the support having a substantially continuous cylindrical support surface (22) engaging at least part of the inner or outer surface of the casing; and machining a plurality of recessed pockets in the said inner or outer surface of the casing opposite the surface engaged by the said support; whereby the support reacts loads acting on the casing by the chip machining tool during machining to minimise distortion of the casing and tearing of the pockets being formed. With this method isogrid pockets (14) can be chip machined, by drilling and/or milling etc, with pocket wall thicknesses of less that 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Roll-Royce plc
    Inventors: Richard Green, Peter Shore
  • Patent number: 7010845
    Abstract: A first and second component joint includes using a fastener having a first end, and a flange having a diameter greater than a tubular barrel portion. A second end having a second tubular barrel portion merges into a shoulder of a flange part having a greater diameter than the barrel portion. The first tubular barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly sandwiching the first component between the flange and the first barrel portion. The second end of the fastener is introduced through a hole in the second component by applying the second component to the first component so the shoulder of the flanged part abuts the second component spacing the second component from the first component. The fastener device is fastened to the second component by deforming the second tubular barrel portion radially outwardly sandwiching the second component between the shoulder and the tubular barrel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Müller, Michael Vieth, Hans Broich, Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 7010841
    Abstract: A mount assembly and method are provided for securing a component to an interior mounting surface in a vehicle having a sunroof. Initially, a sunroof frame is provided. The sunroof frame includes a cross-member disposed laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The component is then attached to the cross-member of the sunroof frame such that the cross-member supports the weight of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Donovan, James B. Cook, Sachin Shah, Holly R. Hecker, John L. Adams
  • Patent number: 7007382
    Abstract: A method for cutting a blade root retention slot in a turbine engine disk element includes forming a precursor slot in the element. The precursor slot has first and second sidewalls and a base. A rotating bit is passed through the precursor slot to machine the base. The bit rotates about an axis off-normal to a direction of passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Blake M. Mantel
  • Patent number: 7003864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a part (108, 200, 300), comprising the following steps: a) applying a first flat layer consisting of a support material (102, 202, 302), to a construction platform (101, 201, 301), b) introducing at least one recess (103, 203, 303) into the support material (102, 202, 302), c) filling the recess (103, 203, 303) with a construction material (104, 204, 304), d) applying a further layer of support material (102, 202, 302), e) repeating steps b) through d) until completion of the part (108, 200, 300), and f) removing the support material (102, 202, 302). This method is to provide a manufacturing method and a device that combine the advantages of the layerwise construction (rapid prototyping) with the advantages of machining (e.g. high-speed cutting) and particularly permit the production of sharp-edged contours. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Innovaris GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Dirscherl
  • Patent number: 7000320
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing miniature ball bearings that reduces material loss to improve manufacturing efficiency. The process consists of obtaining an inner and outer ring blank by cutting a first blank, forging the first blank to obtain a final blank, and separating the final blank to form an outer ring blank and an inner ring blank. The outer ring blank has an outer diameter of at most 13 mm. Cutting the first blank is performed by mechanically cutting and machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6996907
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axial force controlling method for controlling an axial force applied to a rolling bearing in a bearing apparatus having a shaft body, the rolling bearing being mounted to the shaft body such that the rolling bearing fits an outside of the shaft body, and the bearing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Toda, Tomohiro Ishii, Tadashi Mitarai, Daisaku Tomita
  • Patent number: 6993841
    Abstract: A ribbon of color A metal is combined with a thin layer of soldering alloy, bent and soldered to form a tube, it is then filled with a core of color B metal. The compound is then drawn and/or laminated until it is transformed into a long ribbon or into a wire, externally of color A and internally of color B. The filled ribbon or wire is wrapped like a solenoid around a deformable support, like a metal mesh and stamped into the desired shape. The resulting two faced element is then ground in order to remove, all along a strip and following a line or in dots, the superficial part of color A until the core of color B is revealed. The bi-colored long element is then treated like a single body and allows the realization of precious bi-colored ornamental items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Orocinque S.p.A.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Grotti
  • Patent number: 6993844
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes a hollow shaft provided around an outer peripheral surface with a bearing fitting region, and a rolling bearing having an inner ring fitted around the bearing fitting region of the hollow shaft. A shaft end of the hollow shaft is bent outwardly in a diametrical direction, thereby being caulked on an outer end surface of the inner ring. The bearing fitting region has a hardened layer in a region from a first position corresponding to an inner end surface of the inner ring of the rolling bearing to a second position before a position corresponding to an outer end surface of the inner ring, and has a non-hardened layer in another region from the outer end surface corresponding position of the inner ring to the shaft end. The second position representative of a caulked side end portion of the hardened layer is defined based on a predetermined relational expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Toda, Masahiro Inoue, Kenji Takahashi, Teruyuki Kawatani, Shinichirou Kashiwagi, Teruyuki Wakisaka, Tadashi Mitarai
  • Patent number: 6990738
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing miniature ball bearings that reduces material loss to improve manufacturing efficiency. The process consists of obtaining an inner and outer ring blank by cutting a first blank, forging the first blank to obtain a final blank, and separating the final blank to form an outer ring blank and an inner ring blank. The outer ring blank has an outer diameter of at most 13 mm. Cutting the first blank is performed by press cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara