Patents Examined by Essama Omgba
  • Test arrangement for a centrifugal compressor stage
    Patent number: 9046097
    Abstract: A system for testing a compressor is provided. The system comprises one or more compressors connected together in series to a test compressor wherein an output of the test compressor is connected to an input of a first compressor in the series, forming an overall loop, one or more process fluid coolers in the overall loop, one or more orifices in the overall loop, a control valve in the overall loop, and a first plurality of sensors configured adjacent to a process fluid input of the test compressor and a second plurality of sensors configured adjacent to a process fluid output of the test compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.P.A
    Inventors: Alberto Scotti Del Greco, Libero Tapinassi, Stefano Vanghi, Filippo Gerbi, Chiara Cinelli
  • Device for holding disk-shaped articles and method thereof
    Patent number: 9038262
    Abstract: A device for holding disk-shaped articles and a method thereof are provided. The device comprises a rotatable chuck body and at least two groups of clamping elements arranged at the edge of the chuck body. Each of the clamping elements is mounted to a pivot with the chuck body respectively by means of the rotation of the clamping element with respect to the chuck body. A radial compression spring is connected between the bottom of the clamping element and the chuck body to provide a clamping force for the clamping element. The clamping elements in the same group are provided with magnets with the same polarity, while the clamping elements in different groups are provided with magnets with the opposite polarity. Two sets of electromagnets are arranged on the chuck body and spaced apart evenly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BEIJING SEVENSTAR ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Wu, Hao Wang, Wei Li, Ruiting Wang, Bao Zhang
  • Green ball grinding method, ceramic sphere fabrication method, and grinding apparatus
    Patent number: 9032626
    Abstract: A green ball grinding method includes the step of supplying a green ball between a first surface of a first member and a second surface of a second member constituting a grinding apparatus, and the step of grinding the green ball between the first surface and the second surface while the green ball rotates around its own axis and in orbital motion. In the step of grinding the green ball, the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed while applying load between the green ball and each of the first surface and the second surface, and the step of modifying the rotation axis of the green ball by reducing the load lower than in the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed are executed alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutake Hayakawa, Katsutoshi Muramatsu
  • Methods and systems for in-process quality control during drill-fill assembly
    Patent number: 9032602
    Abstract: A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, Jr., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
  • Rivet setting machine
    Patent number: 9027220
    Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Karl Schlafhauser
  • Rotating body and bearing
    Patent number: 9028384
    Abstract: A rotating body includes a cylindrical rotating member and bearings located at the ends located in the axial direction of the rotating member. In the rotating body, at least one of the bearings includes a metal inner ring portion having a bearing hole and a resin outer ring portion having first and second portions. The first portion is fitted into the rotating member. The second portion protrudes in the axial direction from the rotating member, surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion, has an outer diameter larger than that of the rotating member, and is in contact with an opposing object opposing the rotating member so as to maintain a specified size of a gap by which the rotating member and the opposing object are spaced apart from each other. The outer and inner ring portions are integrally molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Iikura
  • Mountable cable tie with fine adjustment and method of use thereof
    Patent number: 9021681
    Abstract: A mountable cable tie with fine adjustment with an elongated strap having a first strap end and a second strap end, the elongated strap having one or more rows of teeth or cross-bars formed crosswise on the elongated strap, and a plurality of holes positioned linear along the median between the one or more rows of teeth, at least one locking buckle positioned proximate the second strap end, the at least one locking buckle having at least one channel and at least one locking tang or pawl positioned within the locking buckle, wherein increased insertion of the first strap end into the locking head decreases the size of the loop of the elongated strap to secure the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Dale Owen
  • Electromagnetic clamping method
    Patent number: 9021704
    Abstract: A method for assembling parts. A sealant is placed between a plurality of parts in a stack up to form a workpiece. The workpiece is clamped using a permanent magnet unit and an electromagnetic clamping device in an activated state such that a number of forces caused by a magnetic field clamps the workpiece between the electromagnetic clamping device and the permanent magnet unit. A number of holes are drilled in the workpiece. A number of fasteners are installed in the number of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, Harry Asada, Manas Chandran Menon
  • Unified rolling and bending process for roller bearing cages
    Patent number: 9021706
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing large diameter tapered roller bearing cages includes beginning with a metal strip, coil or plate of cage blank material and feeding it into a rolling mill. The rolling mill includes a pair of unparallel forming rolls disposed to define a wedge-shaped gap therebetween. As the cage blank material is fed through the wedge-shaped gap, one lateral side of the cage blank material is plastically deformed to reduce its thickness and to elongate its length, while slight or no deformation is introduced into the other lateral side, thus forming the cage blank into an arc shape. A third roll disposed at the exit side of the forming rolls bends the rolled cage blank into a circular conical ring. Adjacent butt ends of the formed conical ring cage blank are aligned and joined together during the assembly process to form the large diameter tapered roller bearing cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Ming He, Michael D. Simmons
  • Riveting system and process for forming a riveted joint
    Patent number: 9015920
    Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Dieter Mauer, Hermann Roeser, Reinhold Opper, Andreas Wojcik, Christian Schoenig
  • Bunter technology
    Patent number: 9010218
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for making bunters used to form headstamp indicia into ammunition cases. The invention also provides bunter blanks that are specially configured to yield high quality bunters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Wilson Tool International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott N. Peterson, Paul T. Johnson
  • Apparatus for assembling a lens module and an image sensor to form a camera module, and a method of assembling the same
    Patent number: 9009952
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a lens module and an image sensor to form a camera module. The apparatus comprises i) a positioning system for adjusting a relative arrangement between the lens module and the image sensor; and ii) an inspection system operative to view fiducials of the lens modules and the image sensor. In particular, the positioning system is configured to align the lens module and the image sensor based on a relative alignment of the respective fiducials of the lens module and the image sensor as viewed by the inspection system. A method of assembling a lens module and an image sensor to form a camera module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Po Lam Au, Ming Lok Yeung, Tung Yeung Tsoi, Yu Luen Suen
  • Micro-coupling active release mechanism
    Patent number: 9003627
    Abstract: A micro-coupling active release mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) cylindrical ring that is fit into a bushing or other mating attachment creating an interference joint held in place by frictional forces. The interference joint can be released upon actuation in which the SMA cylindrical ring is heated causing it to shrink in size, relieving the frictional forces of the interference joint thereby releasing the SMA cylindrical ring from the bushing or other mating attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Mike Crane, Paul Michael Oppenheimer, Marcello Romano, James Hansen Newman
  • Method for securing a device in a docking station
    Patent number: 9003626
    Abstract: A docking station formed of a tray having a clamping portion coupled to a receiver portion for motion along a travel axis therebetween. A lever is coupled for moving the clamping portion between an expanded position spaced away from the receiver portion, and a retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion. The lever includes a preload portion that is adapted for preloading the clamping portion in the retracted position, and a latching portion that is coupled for retaining the clamping portion in the retracted position. The preload portion of the lever is a resiliently bendable member, such as a spring. Optionally, the lever is a second class lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Paper feed roller
    Patent number: 8986182
    Abstract: The paper feed roller according to the present invention is made of a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing an ester thermoplastic elastomer urethane or an ether thermoplastic elastomer urethane (E) having microrubber hardness (type A) of not less than 60 and not more than 80 and a plasticizer (P) in a mass ratio E/P of 70/30 to 50/50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Tamura, Akihiro Mine, Hirokazu Nishimori, Hideyuki Okuyama
  • Desk-mounted retainer device for portable sheet clamps
    Patent number: 8984735
    Abstract: The inventive concept is a device which is used to secure a sheath or stack of papers contained in an architectural sheet rack clamp. The device is essentially a three-tiered rectangular structure forming two parallel, length-wise channels within the spaces defined by the three tiers. One channel, situated as the upper clamp retaining channel, is structured so as to securely accommodate the typical sheet clamp used to store such materials as architectural drawings, maps, and other similar over-sized sheets. The second, or lower desk anchoring, channel of the device, contains two adjustable fastening means, enabling attachment of the lower desk anchoring channel to a desk, draftsman's stand, or table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Scott Brown
  • Pallet refurbishing apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8978241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for disassembling a wooden pallet by mechanically and automatically removing a pre-selected damaged board from the pallet, comprising a frame intended to be arranged in close proximity with a conveyor and a bi-directional rotating ram assembly mounted within the frame and carrying spikes thereupon. The invention is configured such that the ram assembly is moved into a board-engaging position to enable the spike to puncture and fasten to a predetermined (damaged) board of the pallet, and to thereafter be moved up and away from the pallet in order to remove and separate the board from the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CLM Pallet Recycling, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick L. Smith, Barry J. Davignon
  • Methods of manufacturing devices for generating skin grafts
    Patent number: 8978234
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for manufacturing components for use in a device for generating substantially planar micrografts. The methods of the invention provide for the manufacture of substantially uniform components for a cutter contained within the device, the cutter configured to cut a blister in order to produce a substantially planar graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: MoMelan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Ahmed Sabir, Jeffrey Cerier, Andrew Ziegler
  • Hand tool for use in the quick disconnection of quick connect/disconnect couplings
    Patent number: 8978226
    Abstract: A tool for the removal of connectors from pipes is disclosed that, in one embodiment, enables the removal of connectors from large pipes and in another embodiment from a size range of pipes. Movable and stationary gripping and pushing elements are affixed to handles to enable a pipe to be firmly gripped between a movable gripping jaw and a stationary gripping jaw and the connector prevented from movement by the movable pusher jaw and the stationary pusher jaw. The handles can compress around a pivot point or slide on a bar. In another embodiment the movable and stationary gripping and pushing elements are removable from the body of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Direct Source International, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Kady, David Lee Showalter
  • Grommet
    Patent number: 8973216
    Abstract: A grommet has a faceplate with a width that is greater than an aperture width in a metal stud, as well as a front surface and a rear surface that extend downwardly to form a first clip portion. The grommet also includes a flange extending from a perimeter of an opening through the faceplate, to form a duct shaped to receive the flex tubing therethrough. A second clip portion extends downwardly from the flange, adjacent the first clip portion, so that the first and second clip portions frictionally engage the metal stud to hold the duct within the aperture of the metal stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Ralph M. Ramirez