Patents Examined by Erin B Saad
  • Patent number: 11964338
    Abstract: A low-temperature joining method effectively suppresses reductions in the mechanical properties of a junction of various types of high-tensile steel or aluminum, and of a heat-affected zone; and produces a joint structure. A method for joining two metal materials by forming a joint interface in which the two metal materials face each other at a joint portion and plunge a rotation tool caused to rotate at a prescribed speed into the joint, the method for low-temperature joining of metal materials characterized in that the peripheral velocity of the outermost periphery of the rotation tool is set to 51 mm/s or less, whereby the recrystallization temperature inherent to the metal materials is reduced by introducing a large strain to the joint, and recrystallized grains are generated at the joint interface by setting the joining temperature to less than the recrystallization temperature inherent to the metal materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Fujii, Rintaro Ueji, Yoshiaki Morisada
  • Patent number: 11958124
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system is provided. The ultrasonic welding system includes a support structure for supporting a workpiece. The ultrasonic welding system also includes a weld head assembly including an ultrasonic converter carrying a sonotrode. The ultrasonic welding system also includes a z-axis motion system carrying the weld head assembly. The z-axis motion system includes (i) a z-axis forcer for moving the weld head assembly along a z-axis of the ultrasonic welding system, and (ii) a z-axis overtravel mechanism disposed between the z-axis forcer and the weld head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Copperthite, Hans H. Von Tresckow, Christopher R. Longley, Siddharth D. Kataria
  • Patent number: 11963307
    Abstract: A ball-grid-array component of a ball-grid array assembly is analyzed prior to reflow. A predicted warping pattern of the ball-grid-array component that is likely to occur during reflow is predicted based on the analyzing. A solder ball ball-grid-array defect that could be caused by the predicted warping pattern is predicted. An initial via suction pattern to mitigate the ball-grid-array defect is assigned. A vacuum head is applied to a via in the ball-grid-array assembly. The solder ball is located at the opposite end of the via from the vacuum head. Suction is applied to the via based on the via suction pattern. The suction draws a portion of the solder ball into the via during reflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Doyle, Thomas W. Liang, Layne A. Berge, John R. Dangler, Jason J. Bjorgaard, Kyle Schoneck, Matthew A. Walther
  • Patent number: 11958126
    Abstract: A method for making a container for retaining anesthetic agent. The method includes creating two or more parts each having a mating surface, where the container is formed when the mating surfaces of the two or more parts are coupled together, and where a first part of the two or more parts is formed of a material having pores defined within the mating surface thereof. The method further includes processing the mating surface of the first part via friction stir welding to reduce the pores defined therein. The method further includes coupling the two or more parts together such that the mating surfaces contact to create the container configured to retain the anesthetic agent therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Joseph J. Lacey
  • Patent number: 11958127
    Abstract: A shoulder-angle-adjustable friction stir welding head suitable for a fillet joint includes a stirring head body. A front end of the stirring head body is mounted with a movable shoulder, a stirring pin channel is arranged on the movable shoulder, and the stirring pin channel may allow a stirring pin of the stirring head body to pass through. The present disclosure can respond to welding tasks of the fillet joint of different angles and enlarges an application scope of the friction stir welding head in a manner that the front end of the stirring head body is mounted with the movable shoulder, the stirring pin channel is arranged on the movable shoulder, the stirring pin channel is used for allowing the stirring pin of the stirring head body to pass through, and the angle of the movable shoulder is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hefei University of Technology
    Inventors: Beibei Li, Pengcheng He, Jingfeng Wang, Wenqi Qi, Guoqiang Li
  • Patent number: 11961819
    Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus connecting a lead of a mounted member with an electrode of a semiconductor die through a wire comprises a capillary through which the wire is inserted, a shape acquisition part which acquires the shape of the lead to which the wire is connected, a calculating part which calculates an extending direction of a wire tail extending from the end of the capillary based on the shape of a lead to which the wire is connected next, and a cutting part which moves the capillary in the extending direction and cuts the wire to form the wire tail after the lead is connected with the electrode through the wire. Thus, in the wire bonding using wedge bonding, joining part tails (183a, 283a, 383a) formed in continuation to a first bonding point can be prevented from coming into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SHINKAWA LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Sekine, Yasuo Nagashima
  • Patent number: 11951560
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) method for a titanium alloy. The method includes the following steps: step 1: performing a WAAM process assisted by cooling and rolling; step 2: milling side and top surfaces of an additive part; step 3: performing, by friction stir processing (FSP) equipment, an FSP process on the additive part, and applying cooling and rolling to a side wall of the additive part through a cooling and rolling device during the FSP process; step 4: finish-milling the top surface of the additive part for a WAAM process in the next step; and step 5: repeating the above steps cyclically until final forming of the part is finished. This WAAM method completely breaks dendritic structures and refines grains in the WAAM process of the titanium alloy, thereby effectively repairing defects such as pores and cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Changshu He, Jingxun Wei, Ying Li, Zhiqiang Zhang, Ni Tian, Gaowu Qin
  • Patent number: 11951485
    Abstract: An improved hammer mill hammer constructed by forming a groove in an edge of the grinding end of a hammer for receiving hard facing material and placing hard facing in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Jacobs Corporation
    Inventor: Chad J. Plumb
  • Patent number: 11945042
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) method for a magnesium alloy. The method includes the following steps: step 1: performing a WAAM process assisted by cooling and rolling; step 2: milling side and top surfaces of an additive part; step 3: performing, by friction stir processing (FSP) equipment, an FSP process on the additive part, and applying cooling and rolling to a side wall of the additive part through a cooling and rolling device during the FSP process; step 4: finish-milling the top surface of the additive part for a WAAM process in the next step; and step 5: repeating the above steps cyclically until final forming of the part is finished. The present disclosure completely breaks dendritic structures and refines grains in the WAAM process of the magnesium alloy, thereby effectively repairing defects such as pores and cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Changshu He, Jingxun Wei, Ying Li, Zhiqiang Zhang, Ni Tian, Gaowu Qin
  • Patent number: 11938556
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an ultrasonic welding installation comprising an ultrasonic vibration unit having a sonotrode and a converter, wherein the sonotrode and the converter are arranged in mutually adjacent relationship along a longitudinal axis and the ultrasonic vibration unit can be caused to resonate with an ultrasonic vibration in the direction of the longitudinal axis with a wavelength ?/2, wherein there is provided a holder for holding the ultrasonic vibration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HERRMANN ULTRASCHALLTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raffaele Mancini, Johannes Pohl, Ulrich Vogler, Stefan Zendler
  • Patent number: 11938557
    Abstract: An ultrasound sonotrode (101), the first end of which is adapted to be connected to a mechanical vibrations source, equipped with a working tip (105,205,405,805) at the opposite end of the sonotrode (101), equipped with a body (104) with a cooling jacket (103), sealed at the place of contact with the body (104) of the sonotrode (101) with the use of the first seal (106) and the second seal (107), characterized in that according to the invention the first seal (106) is placed at a distance less than or equal to 20 mm from the node of the standing wave excited in the sonotrode in the working conditions, and the second seal (107,207,407,507,607) is equipped with a resilient element (108,208,408,508,608) and is located at a distance less than or equal to 20 mm from the working tip (105,205,405,805).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Lukasz Zrodowski
  • Patent number: 11938555
    Abstract: A mechanical vibration machining apparatus or the like is suitable for forming a stable machined surface. A mechanical vibration machining apparatus performs machining of a machining target using a horn. A control unit instructs the horn to perform a mechanical vibration operation and a rotational driving operation. The control unit controls the mechanical vibration and/or the rotational driving in a periodic manner. For example, the control unit supports intermittent alternating control. That is to say, when one from among the mechanical vibration and the rotational driving is provided, the other is suspended. Such periodic control allows the stress that occurs due to the applied force to be dispersed, thereby allowing a stable machined surface to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ULTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Sato
  • Patent number: 11938559
    Abstract: A stir pin includes a base end portion configured to be held rotatably about a first axis, a stirring portion provided to project from a shoulder member to be rotatable about the first axis together with the base end portion, and an intermediate portion including a second portion connected to the stirring portion to be rotatable about the first axis together with the stirring portion and having a second diameter passing through the first axis, and a first portion provided between and connected to the base end portion and the second portion to be rotatable about the first axis together with the base end portion and the second portion. The first portion has an end surface to which the second portion is connected and which has a maximum diameter larger than the second diameter. The end surface has a ring-shaped receiving surface configured to receive a material waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Ouchi, Eiji Matsubara, Masayasu Minatani, Toru Murakami
  • Patent number: 11938558
    Abstract: A double-action friction stir joining system, which includes a double-action friction stir joining device, a cleaning mechanism having a dressing member, a robot, and a control device. The double-action friction stir joining device includes a first rotary driver configured to rotate a pin member and a shoulder member, and a tool driver configured to reciprocate the pin member and the shoulder member. The control device is adapted to (A) operate the tool driver so that the pin member is thrusted into the shoulder member, (B) operate the first rotary driver so that the shoulder member rotates, and (C) operate the robot so that the robot holds the double-action friction stir joining device and the dressing member contacts an inner circumferential surface of the shoulder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyake, Kengo Maeda, Masato Fukushima, Yohei Ishido
  • Patent number: 11936153
    Abstract: A precision soldering fixture provides a way to align and hold wires in place for soldering. The precision soldering fixture comprises a support member and a clamping assembly. The support member includes one or more elongated channels and may include a connector notch for holding and soldering wires. The clamping assembly comprises a nut and bolt base mechanism including clamping bars to hold the wires and preferably knurled fingers nuts, tightening the clamping bars, and thus the wires, in place. There can also be attachments secured to the support member to facilitate use. One such attachment may be a vise block fastened to the support member when securing the precision soldering fixture in a vise. Additionally, an alligator clip may be secured between the support member and the vise block, clipping the precision soldering fixture for soldering wires in situ. Further, a base with a magnet may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: James McCommons
  • Patent number: 11934026
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting optical components is described. The apparatus is suitable for mounting multiple optical components and comprises a baseplate having opposing first and second surfaces. Recesses or apertures are formed within the baseplate and are located upon the first or second surfaces so as to define thermally activated optic mounting areas. Pillars are then located within the thermally activated optic mounting areas and these provide a means for attaching the optical component to the baseplate. The employment of the recesses or apertures act to significantly reduce the thermal conduction throughout the baseplate. As a result preferential heating can be provided to the one or more thermally activated optic mounting areas while maintaining the baseplate with a desired mechanical strength. The optical mounting apparatus exhibits a high thermal stability thus making the apparatus ideally suited for use within commercial optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: M SQUARED LASERS LIMITED
    Inventors: Gareth Thomas Maker, Graeme Peter Alexander Malcolm, Simon Munro
  • Patent number: 11931820
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are directed to a Swappable Retractable Tool Tip (SRTT), which is designed as a next generation of friction stir welding tools and retractable tool tips. The disclosed SRTT may be “swappable,” having different types of retractable tool tips that can be assembled and employed as a part of the SRTT. A SRTT system can include at least: a blank tool holder, a piston, and a retractable tool tip. In operation, the blank tool holder allows air to flow to cause movement of the piston and the retractable tool tip. For example, compressed air can push up on the piston and the retractable tool tip, retracting it into a “home” position inside of the blank tool holder. Also, the SRTT can include springs that push down on the piston and the retractable tool tip, extending the tip into an “extended” position outside of the blank tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MERCURY MISSION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Kang Lee, Matthew Neil, Wayne Chan, Anthony Lai, Andrew Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 11925998
    Abstract: A system for forming a vehicle component includes a first metal sheet having an aperture, a second metal sheet contacting a lower surface of the first metal sheet, an anvil supporting the first and second metal sheets beneath the aperture, and a press bit disposed above the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Dornik
  • Patent number: 11925997
    Abstract: To solve the problems of conventional wire billet butt-welding such as high labor intensity, potential safety hazards, and low production efficiency, the disclosure provides a wire billet butt-welding apparatus and a wire billet butt-welding method. The wire billet butt-welding method comprises: S1: preparing a stock, S2: rotating a butt-welding stock receiver to a stock receiving position, and feeding a first coil of wire billet to a stock receiving rod of the butt-welding stock receiver; S3: welding the first coil of wire billet and the second coil of wire billet on a rotary plate at the butt-welding position end-to-head; S4: rotating the butt-welding stock receiver and the second coil of wire billet to the stock receiving position; S5: rotating the stock receiving rod to rotate to tighten the wire billet between the first coil of wire billet and the second coil of wire billet; and S6: repeating steps S3 to S5 to complete butt-welding operations on the 3rd to nth coils of wire billet sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huanfeng Feng, Zhangquan Zhu, Gangfeng Sun, Shaojun Jiang, Lianyun Wei
  • Patent number: 11919108
    Abstract: A Mobile Electric Flash-Butt (EFB) Welding apparatus that incorporates an automated geometry system which creates field/mobile EFB welds with proper vertical alignment, within a definable distance. The system has a first pair of adjustable reference points on a left side of a mobile welding apparatus. The system has a second pair of adjustable reference points on the right side of the welding apparatus. The system has a first lifting mechanism positioned between the first pair of adjustable reference points and a second lifting mechanism positioned between the second pair of adjustable reference points. The welding line is positioned between the first and second pair of adjustable reference points and is the location of the weld. The system allows for comparatively shorter inserts than previously utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ONE RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Kris Koski