Patents Examined by Jacob Cigna
  • Patent number: 9427827
    Abstract: Manufacturing method, welding arrangement and door frame structure for a door frame (21) of a windmill tower (10), wherein a hole (15) is made in the tower shell (10) for the door and a door frame is placed in the hole and welded on the shell. In the method, the shape of the door frame for the shell and the shape of the surface of the shell at the opening (15) to be made are measured with a measuring sensor (40). Based on the measurements, a cutting torch (41) is controlled so that an opening corresponding to the shape of the door frame is cut in the shell and bevels (16, 17) are cut in the edge of the opening on both sides. The door frame is welded on the shell with a weld (24), such as a double bevel, double J or square butt weld, from the inside and the outside of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Pemamek Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Savolainen, Timo Tynkkynen
  • Patent number: 9422963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include extendable structures and methods of forming an extendable structure. In accordance with an embodiment, an extendable structure includes a first chain of interlocking components including a first interlocking component, a second chain of interlocking components including a second interlocking component configured to mate to the bottom surface the first interlocking component, and a third chain of interlocking components including a third interlocking component configured to mate to the bottom surfaces of the first interlocking component and the second interlocking component. The extendable structure may include more than three chains of interlocking components and each chain of interlocking components may comprise three or more interlocking components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Philip Aaron Blackstone
  • Patent number: 9415436
    Abstract: An improved corner bending apparatus and method for a bent head exchanger includes a first step of providing a tube edge clearance to at least the inner core face edges of those few tubes encompassed by the area of the core to be bent. A series of elongated braces, able to flex relative to one another, is placed into the tube edge clearance prior to bending. The braces actively maintain the tube edges (and tubes) in a parallel, undeformed orientation during the bend, which may be done by otherwise conventional apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: David E. Samuelson, Kent S. Edward
  • Patent number: 9388008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a base material for obtaining therefrom ring-shaped disks for use in a disk roll including a rotating shaft and the ring-shaped disks fitted thereon by insertion, whereby the peripheral surface of the disks serves as a conveying surface, the process including molding a raw slurry material into a platy shape and drying the plate, the raw slurry material containing inorganic fibers which have a wet volume of 300 mL/5 g or larger and which are amorphous or have a degree of crystallinity of 50% or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Horiuchi, Kazuhisa Watanabe, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9375772
    Abstract: A method to form a disposable compressed gas cartridge, wherein the method provides a steel sheet, and using sequentially (N) progressively longer dies forms from the steel sheet a vessel comprising a cylindrical wall, a closed end, and an open end, wherein the cylindrical wall comprises a body diameter, and wherein (N) is greater than equal to 5. The method then heats a first portion of the vessel at an annealing temperature, wherein that first portion includes the open end and a portion of the cylindrical wall adjacent the open end. The method then uses sequentially (M) tubular dies to form a cartridge neck by progressively narrowing the first portion of the vessel from the body diameter at a distal end of the first portion to an open end diameter at the open end to form an empty gas cartridge, wherein the body diameter is greater than a neck diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Raylin Chen
  • Patent number: 9377105
    Abstract: Inserts and insert kits for converting internal combustion engines to multi-stage compressors are disclosed herein. An insert kit in accordance with present technology can include a first insert configured to be positioned at least partially within a first compression cylinder of an engine to reduce the volume by a first amount. A second insert can be configured to be positioned at least partially within a second compression cylinder of the engine to reduce the volume of the second compression cylinder by a second amount, greater than the first amount. Additionally, a first compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the first insert to compress a gas to a first volume. A second compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the second insert to compress the gas to a second volume, smaller than the first volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9377130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the singulation of valve plates and/or assembled valves from a lead-frame are described. The method and apparatus utilizes an electric current to fuse tabs which join the valve plate and/or the assembled valve to the lead-frame. The valve comprises a first and second valve plate with offsetting apertures and a flap disposed and movable between the first and second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Jaeb, Stuart Hatfield
  • Patent number: 9370815
    Abstract: This disclosure presents a heat exchanger that comprises a header frame having end plates, a plurality of rows of finned hairpins, each extending through a cooling fin and each having ends extending through the end plates, and at least one finless hairpin having ends extending through the end plates. Additionally, a support sheet is coupled to the header frame and at least on finless hairpin extends through the support sheet and is supported thereby. A method of manufacturing the heat exchanger is also presented as well as a heat ventilation air conditioning system in which the heat exchanger may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun Jin, Christopher Beck
  • Patent number: 9360031
    Abstract: In a method of fastening composite material parts, a first smoothness of a first fastener is measured which is arranged to a first countersink through-hole which is formed in a first fastened work as stacked composite material parts. A second countersink depth is determined based on the first smoothness. A second countersink through hole with a second countersink depth is formed in a second fastened work as the composite material parts. The second fastened work is fastened using the second fastener arranged to the second countersink through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ikeda, Toshiyuki Funato, Takahiro Inagaki, Mikio Nakamura, Yosuke Ikeda, Kunihiro Kuroi, Akihito Suzuki, Yuji Kondo, Tsugumaru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9321296
    Abstract: A flat-pen automatic assembly line system includes a worktable, two sprockets, and an endless loop driving chain connecting the two sprockets. The two sprockets are mounted at the two ends of the worktable, respectively. A plurality of jigs on the driving chain receives pen barrels. A transporting rail supporting the driving chain is provided between the two sprockets. A pen-cap mounting station and a pen-cap pressing station are provided on the same worktable successively, and the pen-cap pressing station is provided with an automatic pen-cap pressing machine. The pen-cap mounting process and the pen-cap pressing process are completed on the same worktable and these two processes are linked via the same driving chain. Therefore, the assembly time is shortened and the assembly efficiency is improved. Furthermore, the pen-cap pressing process may employ an automatic pen-cap pressing machine. Therefore, labor can be reduced further, and assembly efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Beifa Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cailiang Dong, Feng Zhu
  • Patent number: 9289838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a guide roller wherein bearings are held in a housing, and liquid mixed with abrasive grains is prevented from entering the interior of the housing through a small hole, thereby improving service life. The guide roller is configured to comprise a housing wherein the bearings are held in the housing, and the housing has a shaft hole wherein a support shaft is inserted that is installed upon the bearings. The shaft hole is formed to have a tapered wall, and the diameter of the hole decreases continuously toward the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Miki Pulley Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sato, Tomio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9273887
    Abstract: A heat transfer system includes an evaporator having a heated wall, a liquid barrier wall containing working fluid, a primary wick positioned between the heated wall and an inner side of the liquid barrier wall, a vapor removal channel located at an interface between the primary wick and the heated wall, and a liquid flow channel located between the liquid barrier wall and the primary wick. Methods of transferring heat include applying heat energy to a vapor barrier wall, flowing liquid through a liquid flow channel, pumping the liquid from the liquid flow channel through a primary wick, and evaporating at least some of the liquid at a vapor removal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Kroliczek, Michael Nikitkin, David A. Wolf, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9238993
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold and related method have a hybrid clamshell construction including an outer manifold half stamped from a first metal and having a first wall thickness, as well as an inner manifold half stamped from a second metal that is different from the first metal and has a second wall thickness which is different from the first wall thickness. Opposite side edges of the outer and inner manifold halves are rigidly interconnected to define a hollow manifold bottom. Port and outlet flanges are rigidly attached to inlet and outlet sides of the manifold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Benteler Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick B. Hill, Jr., Sreedhar V. Chanda
  • Patent number: 9186827
    Abstract: In a method for molding a resin piston by charging a preheated resin tablet into a cavity of a molding die, and by carrying out compression molding while heating, at a time point when an internal pressure of the cavity arrives at a determined pressure, by pressurizing a pressurizing margin in the molding die, resin which overflows from the molding die is discharged from a passage which is defined in an area except an outer circumferential surface of the piston, while the internal pressure of the cavity is maintained. After a thermosetting cycle has finished, the molding die 21 is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Isao Sunaga, Daigo Kawabata
  • Patent number: 9171648
    Abstract: An improved method of replacing at least a portion of a shroud apparatus of a BWR includes forming a cut in the shroud and removing at least a portion of the shroud apparatus that is adjacent the cut from a remaining portion of the shroud apparatus. The method also includes positioning a replacement shroud system adjacent the remaining portion of the original shroud apparatus and connecting a plurality of removable fastening devices between the new replacement shroud system and the remaining portion of the original shroud apparatus. The replacement shroud system thus can, in the future, be readily replaced by detaching the removable fastening devices, removing the replacement shroud system, and installing a new replacement shroud system with less effort than was required in cutting through the original shroud and replacing it with the replacement shroud system. An improved replacement shroud system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Smouse, Arto Suoniemi, Robert Nolgren, Hans Kornfeldt, Stephen Parker
  • Patent number: 9132536
    Abstract: A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities. The shaft may include a lumen extending there through, and through which a variety of devices and materials may be delivered to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Patent number: 9120190
    Abstract: A method for generating a microchannel heat pipe on a substrate surface includes co-extruding a primary material and a secondary material such that the primary material forms side walls that are spaced apart by the secondary material to form a composite structure. After the primary material hardens, the secondary material is removed, whereby the hardened primary material forms a pipe body structure having an elongated central channel defined between opposing end openings. A working fluid is then inserted into the elongated central channel, and sealing structures are then formed over both end openings to encapsulate the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David Eric Schwartz, Ranjeet Balakrishna Rao
  • Patent number: 9097508
    Abstract: A method for reconditioning a railcar articulated connector is provided. The method comprises the steps of marking a surface of a portion of an articulated connector to divide the surface into sections, pre-heating the surface of a portion of an articulated connector, adding weld to a first section of the pre-heated portion of the articulated connector, and adding weld to a second section of the pre-heated portion of the articulated connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Brueckert, William A. Guess, Donald F. Kroesch
  • Patent number: 9084871
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elongate structure having a steerable end, the structure including a flexible longitudinal body associated with at least one actuator member having at least one shape memory alloy wire or “SMAW” extending along the body and anchored thereto at its ends, and associated with a mechanism for heating it in controlled manner. The method includes the following steps: inserting at least one of the ends of the SMAW in tubes; crimping the tubes onto the ends of the SMAW; and securing the tubes to the body in such a manner that the wire extends along the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE (PARIS 6), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventor: Jérôme Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 9075340
    Abstract: An inventive developing roller is adapted for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The developing roller includes a roller body. At least an outer peripheral surface of the roller body is formed from a rubber composition containing a base rubber. The base rubber contains a styrene butadiene rubber in a proportion of not less than 10 mass % and not greater than 70 mass % based on the overall amount of the base rubber. The outer peripheral surface of the rubber body has a surface roughness Ra of not less than 0.78 ?m and not greater than 1.8 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kuroda, Akihiko Kawatani, Yoshihisa Mizumoto