Patents Examined by James F Sims, III
  • Patent number: 11072043
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the monitoring and control of additive manufacturing. In particular, a method is shown for removing errors inherent in thermal measurement equipment so that the presence of errors in a product build operation can be identified and acted upon with greater precision. Instead of monitoring a grid of discrete locations on the build plane with a temperature sensor, the intensity, duration and in some cases position of each scan is recorded in order to characterize one or more build operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SIGMA LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Vivek R. Dave, Mark J. Cola
  • Patent number: 11071408
    Abstract: A pair of steel skewer racks can be used with flat skewers straddling them. A slanted base face outbound from the vertical support walls to create a wing for rising heat. The inner edge of the slanted base rises slightly above the grill under the vertical support wall. Heat is directed into the central cooking area and away from the skewer tip and handle exposed to the outside area of the opposing racks. The chef's rack has a horizontal groove with a locking lip to lock a food laden skewer in either an up or a down orientation. Vertical slots provide the skewer to be locked at a 90-degree orientation. At the top of the rear rack are semi-circle grooves. The independent racks can be separated to accommodate any length skewer or nested together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Charles Bruce Gustafson
  • Patent number: 11064574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) including at least one cooking area (12), wherein the cooking area (12) comprises at least three induction coils (14). The induction coils (14) of at least one cooking area (12) are arranged side-by-side and in series. Each induction coil (14) of at least one cooking area (12) has an elongated shape. The longitudinal axes of the induction coils (14) within one cooking area (12) are arranged in parallel. Each induction coil (14) of 10 the cooking area (12) is associated with a dedicated induction generator (16). The induction generators (16) are connected or connectable to at least one current line (18). The induction generators (16) are connected to and controlled or controllable by at least one control unit (20). Requested powers (rP) for each used induction generator (16) are adjusted or adjustable independent from each other by a user interface (22). Instant powers (iP) of the induction generators (16) within a cycle pattern (T1, T2, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Svend Erik Christiansen, Filippo Martini, Massimo Nostro, Alex Viroli, Laurent Jeanneteau
  • Patent number: 11051369
    Abstract: A radio frequency inductive heating apparatus includes a control device, a plurality of radio frequency devices, a plurality of transformers, a resonant tank circuit, a heating element, and a first power supply. The radio frequency devices are selectively activated by the control device, and each of the plurality of radio frequency devices is operatively coupled to of the plurality of transformers. At least one of the plurality of radio frequency devices are selectively activated by the control device based on a power set signal and a feedback signal, the power set signal representing a desired output current associated with the resonant tank circuit, the feedback signal representing an electrical control parameter associated with the resonant tank circuit. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Charles Schmitt, Mario Metodiev, Stanimir Bonev Bonev
  • Patent number: 11047579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oven with a doubly insulated lamp having increased lifetime. The oven may include a cooking chamber, a first insulating case mounted on one surface of the cooking chamber, a first case coupled to the first insulating case to form a first insulated space, a second insulating case having at least a part thereof disposed inside the first insulated space, a second case coupled to the second insulating case to form a second insulated space, and a lamp disposed inside the second insulated space to be doubly insulated from heat of the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Se Min Lee, Sung-Soo Park, Chang Hyun Son, Sung Min Oh
  • Patent number: 11040410
    Abstract: Welding wire preheating systems and methods are disclosed. An example welding method includes: receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; monitoring feedback voltage to determine a termination of preheating; and terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11039714
    Abstract: An automated cooking apparatus includes a computer system configured to store a recipe and a cooking apparatus that includes: a frying pan that can hold food ingredients, a heater that can heat the frying pan under the control of the computer system based on the recipe, an exterior body that can hold the frying pan and the heater, and a lid that can keep food ingredients in the frying pan while the food ingredients are stirred and mixed during cooking. A lid-movement mechanism can open and close the lid under the control of the computer system. A transport mechanism can move the frying pan and the cooking apparatus, under the control of the computer system, to mix, stir, or distribute the food ingredients in the frying pan to produce a cooked food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Zhengxu He
  • Patent number: 11027353
    Abstract: A system for detecting welding and cutting parameters is provided. One embodiment of the system includes an input terminal configured to receive signals corresponding to welding or cutting parameters from a first welding or cutting device. None of the signals carry welding power. The system also includes an output terminal configured to provide the signals to a second welding or cutting device. The system includes conductors coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal and configured to carry the signals between the input terminal and the output terminal. The system also includes control circuitry configured to detect the welding or cutting parameters from the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Earl Holverson, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz, Jeffery P. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11000070
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic inhalation devices, namely electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices with superior performance and user control over device variables. In some instances, the present device is configured to properly interpret the attached atomizer's electrical resistance and subsequently calibrate the proper electrical output. This prevents the device from overheating the coil and producing temperatures that will degrade the expected liquids. Further, the user may be able to input a code for the corresponding “flash points” of the intended liquid to determine the optimum output for both delivery of compounds formulated and also for the proper temperature range of the device. In other embodiments, the device is configured to interface with an electronic device such as a smart phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Anton
  • Patent number: 10987756
    Abstract: A laser processing system includes a laser oscillator, a laser beam emitting tool connected to the laser oscillator and supported by a first robot, the laser beam emitting tool emitting a laser beam supplied by the laser oscillator, and a laser processing tool which is supported by a second robot and which receives the laser beam emitted by the laser beam emitting tool and emits the laser beam toward a predetermined processing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitake Furuya
  • Patent number: 10967461
    Abstract: An induction heating coil includes a coil section configured to heat a treatment target by induction, a power supply section configured to supply power to the coil section, and a cooling medium passage that is arranged in the power supply section and the coil section, and is configured to supply a cooling medium to the coil section. The coil section, the power supply section, and the cooling medium passage are formed using a metal additive fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Koyo Thermo Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Yamamoto, Ayaka Nakata, Norihide Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 10967454
    Abstract: A capacitive discharge welding system includes at least one capacitive discharge-based power supply that is adapted to provide alternate polarity pulses from a first weld to a subsequent weld, and to be compatible with iron-core transformers used for alternating current resistance welding; at least one iron core transformer adapted to receive electrical discharges from the capacitive discharge-based power supply; a polarity switching network that includes at least two sets of silicon controlled rectifiers that are arranged in pairs for facilitating current flow in alternate directions; a pair of engagable, properly biased shunt diodes that are operative to shunt reflected current for protecting the silicon controlled rectifiers when the system is in use; and a control network configured for simultaneous engagement of the properly biased shunt diodes and firing the silicon controlled rectifiers for current flow; and tracking polarity for assuring that subsequent pulses use opposite direction current flow for p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry E. Gould, Samuel Lewis
  • Patent number: 10959458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include an atomizer, a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition and an electrical circuit coupled to the atomizer. The electrical circuit may include an electrical generator assembly including a moveable input member and an electrical generator configured to produce an electrical current from movement of the moveable input member. The electrical circuit may be configured to direct the electrical current to the atomizer to produce an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. A related aerosol production method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred C. Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen B. Sears
  • Patent number: 10961063
    Abstract: A modular loading and unloading system wherein modular units can be simply added to a base unit, or main unit, in a desired configuration that fulfill capacity and footprint needs of a manufacturer at any moment, for example when the manufacturer's business expands, thus considerably reducing the time and cost of modifying existing manufacturing systems, such as a laser-based parts cutting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beransky, Mihai Cioclei, Alexey Volovik, Jonas Gutierrez, Fred Cortez, Karapet Kirishchyan
  • Patent number: 10946469
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of welding of at least two metal-based materials (5, 7), non-weldable directly to each other with resistance welding. At least one spacer (6) is joined by welding on at least one of the two surfaces of a material (5) in every interstice between two surfaces of materials to be welded. The welded spacer (6) is utilized so that resistance welding is focused to the surface of the material (5) with the spacer (6) to melt at least one spacer (6) located on the heat affecting zone in order to achieve a weld between the metal-based materials (5, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Stefan Lindner, Jasminko Skrlec
  • Patent number: 10946478
    Abstract: Objects to be welded are joined together by laser welding to form adjacent nuggets. When a distance between central axes of the adjacent nuggets is p and a diameter of the adjacent nuggets in the objects to be welded is d, the adjacent nuggets are formed so as to satisfy an equation 1.0<p/d?1.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Hisada, Toru Hioki, Masaki Morino
  • Patent number: 10946473
    Abstract: A method of forming structure on a component includes: providing a component having a first surface; adhering powder to the first surface; and directing a beam from a directed energy source to fuse the powder in a pattern corresponding to a layer of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, William Thomas Carter, Wayne Charles Hasz
  • Patent number: 10912411
    Abstract: A roller cooking apparatus evenly cooks food while requiring minimal, if any, user intervention. The roller cooking apparatus includes a removable cooking chamber that can be rotated while heat is applied to cook food placed therein. The roller cooking apparatus can include a plurality of pre-programmed cooking modes and may also be manually programmed to set any of a plurality of parameters. These parameters can include cooking temperature, rotation speed, chamber angle, steam retention or exhaust, cooking time and the like. The design of the inner chamber may vary, including solid walled chambers, ventilated chambers, chambers with inner paddles, or the like. The resulting roller cooker can cook a variety of foods in a single step and may even include a feature of automatically opening its lid to deliver cooked food to a serving dish, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Travis Twining, John Stump
  • Patent number: 10917941
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to heat a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a sample container holding the frozen sample. A sample thaw start time may be identified by measuring a temperature of the sample container and/or a temperature of the sample. A sample thaw end time may be calculated as a function of the sample thaw start time. In some embodiments, the same thaw start time may be identified by a significant change in a first derivative of a warming curve of recorded temperature measurements. The sample end time may be calculated by adding a constant to the sample thaw start time. The constant may be the average sample thaw time per the sample container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BioLife Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Schryver, David Shannon
  • Patent number: 10903173
    Abstract: A self-destructing device includes a frangible substrate having at least one pre-weakened area. A heater is thermally coupled to the frangible substrate proximate to or at the pre-weakened area. When activated, the heater generates heat sufficient to initiate self-destruction of the frangible substrate by fractures that propagate from the pre-weakened area and cause the frangible substrate to break into many pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Norine Chang, Gregory Whiting