Patents Examined by Matthew Daniels
  • Patent number: 9498915
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a reinforced thermoplastic composite part comprises moving a laminate of reinforcing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix for sequential operations through a heating station and then a forming station. The heating station is used to soften the thermoplastic matrix in a portion of the laminate while the forming station is used to impart a geometry to a portion of the laminate whose thermoplastic matrix had just been softened. The softening and the forming are performed simultaneously on different portions of the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron W. Bartel, David E. Gideon, Michael H. Larson
  • Patent number: 9498907
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a housing of an electronic device. The method includes manufacturing a housing body by successively stacking a composite material sheet with a plastic sheet applied to at least one surface of a top and a bottom surfaces of the composite material sheet and molding a plastic injection-molded product on the plastic sheet of the housing body through insert molding to connectively affix the composite material sheet with the housing body and the plastic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Seok Yoo, Dong-Wook Kim, Jae-Chul Jin, Won-Young Hur
  • Patent number: 9492973
    Abstract: Methods for forming rotor blades, rotor blade mold assemblies, and cores for rotor blade mold assemblies are disclosed. A method includes providing a first shell substrate on a first mold, providing a generally hollow core on the first shell substrate, providing a second shell substrate on the generally hollow core, and providing a second mold on the second shell substrate. The method further includes flowing a resin into a mold interior defined between the first mold and the second mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Madireddi Vasu Datta, Afroz Akhtar, Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 9492972
    Abstract: Provided is a composite structure having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, having a longitudinally extending fiber insertion having a plurality of fiber layers, a first surface, a second surface, a first side, and a second side; a fiber insertion first zone at the first side of the fiber insertion; a fiber insertion second zone at the second side of the fiber insertion; an intermediate zone separating the first zone and the second zone; a distribution medium adjacent at least one of the first side and the second surface of the intermediate zone, the distribution medium comprising a resin distribution network; and a cured resin impregnating at least the resin distribution network and the fiber insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LM GLASFIBER A/S
    Inventors: Tommy Mikkelson, Morten Stage
  • Patent number: 9469052
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastics casting (FRP), includes a molding box filled with free flowing molding material, in what a prototype of casting or a textile preform is inserted, forming a mold cavity for infiltration the inserted preform of textile with synthetic resin material in order to form a fiber-reinforced plastics casting (FRP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Gillessen, Johannes Born, Sascha Backhaus, Joachim Piepenbrock
  • Patent number: 9452568
    Abstract: A vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method is disclosed, the method comprising: providing a vacuum-assisted resin transfer mold assembly comprising a mold having a first mold surface and a second mold surface arranged to enclose a laminate assembly within a space between the first and second mold surfaces when the laminate assembly is placed on the first mold surface; providing a laminate assembly comprising a laminate pre-form, a peel ply, and a resin distribution media pervious to the flow of a resin, the laminate pre-form having first and second surfaces, the first surface of the pre-form positioned to be in contact with the first mold surface, the peel ply positioned such that the second surface of the laminate pre-form is in contact with the peel ply, and the resin distribution media positioned to be contained within the first and second mold surfaces; positioning at least one resin flow control structure to modify the flow of resin within the resin distribution media; providing at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MATERIA, INC.
    Inventors: Sergio Corral, Stephen Crane, Anthony R. Stephen, Christopher J. Cruce, Everardo Garcia Flores
  • Patent number: 9439455
    Abstract: An electronic smoking device includes a first sensor for detecting a user's action for smoking, an air inlet, an air flow path extending from the air inlet, a liquid compartment storing a smoking liquid, a dispensing control device configured to selectively dispense the smoking liquid from the liquid compartment, a vaporizing compartment connected to the liquid compartment and the air flow path, a heater located at the vaporizing compartment, a controller configured to activate the heater to vaporize the smoking liquid dispensed from the liquid compartment when the user's action for smoking is detected by the first sensor, and a smoke outlet connected to the vaporizing compartment, wherein an amount of the smoking liquid dispensed by the dispensing control device is responsive to an amount of air flowing in the vaporizing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 4 B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Alarcon, Jason Healy
  • Patent number: 9421717
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite is provided. A bottom release layer is disposed within a cavity of a volumetrically restraining body structure for supporting a cast material. An air bag is disposed between the bottom release layer and one or more surfaces of the volumetrically restraining body structure within the cavity. An air compressor connected to the air bag pressurizes the air bag. The pressurized air bag compresses the cast material against the bottom release layer. The resin inlets disposed on the cast material infuse resin into the cast material. A vacuum outlet insertably connected in the cavity of the volumetrically restraining body structure, in communication with the cast material, draws a vacuum through the cast material and draws the resin into the cast material. The compression of the cast material reduces excessive resin rich areas in the composite created from the resin infused cast material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Gosakan Aravamudan
  • Patent number: 9409354
    Abstract: A method comprises laying up a fiber ply of reinforcing fibers and a metal foil layer in a full face-to-face relation. The fibers in the fiber ply are oriented in a single direction. The metal foil layer includes a plurality of metal foil strips separated by gaps. The metal foil layer has substantially the same length and width as the fiber ply. The method further comprises infusing resin into the layup, wherein the resin flows through the gaps and infuses into the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Albers, Jack A. Woods
  • Patent number: 9409312
    Abstract: A method of forming a detailed image on a surface of an earthenware item is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) processing a digital image to produce an output image; (b) etching a burnable material to create peaks, valleys and indents corresponding to the output image to form a mold; (c) casting a flexible template against the mold to obtain a mirror image of the output image in the flexible template; (d) casting a surface of the earthenware in an unsintered state against the flexible template to record the output image by peaks and valleys in the surface of the earthenware item; (e) bisque firing the earthenware item in the unsintered state to render the output image permanent; and (f) applying stain to the surface of the bisque fired earthenware item and removing excess stain from of the surface of the earthenware item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Geoffrey Gretton
  • Patent number: 9399315
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a fan casing of a turbomachine made of composite material, in which a mold includes a cylindrical body of lengthways axis and side flanges, and in which a counter-mold includes a cylindrical body and side counter-flanges. The counter-flanges are configured to be attached securely to the flanges, the body of the mold and the body of the counter-mold are concentric, the preform is configured to be positioned between the body of the mold and the body of the counter-mold, and the material of the body of the mold has an appreciably higher expansion coefficient than that of the body of the counter-mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Romain Plante, Jean-Pierre Cauchois, Louis Bettega, Jean-Louis Robert Marcel Castanie
  • Patent number: 9399329
    Abstract: A method for producing a closed-section portion of an aircraft wherein a strain gauge is glued on a first face of a flat tape that, in turn, is fastened on a face of a tool comprising a rigid elongated body covered by an extensible sack. The tool supporting the tape is arranged in a cavity of an aircraft structure. A vacuum is then created to obtain the expansion of the vacuum sack and perform the pressure gluing of the tape onto a wall of said cavity. The tool is subsequently extracted from the cavity. Upon conclusion of these operations, the tape is integrally fastened onto a wall of the cavity so that any deformation applied to this wall is transmitted to said strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ALENIA AERMACCHI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sabato Inserra Imparato, Giuseppe Lauria, Sergio Recchia, Alberto Russolillo, Carlo Arnone, Vincenzo De Vita, Antonio Fiore
  • Patent number: 9393746
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a dry textile preform for a large surface area fiber-reinforced composite component, in which resin-free textile material layers for purposes of manufacturing the preform are tensioned in each case in a tensioning frame, and in the stretched state are laid down on a moulding body by means of a linear relative movement between the tensioning frame and the moulding body. Also disclosed is a device for the execution of a method of this type with a tensioning frame for purposes of tensioning the material layers, and with a clamping unit for purposes of fixing the laid-down material layers on a moulding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Luebbering, Hauke Lengsfeld
  • Patent number: 9394192
    Abstract: A batch charger for charging batch materials into a glass melting furnace at a level located below the level of the molten glass, including: a body including a barrel and a mechanical system for conveying batch materials, the mechanical system being housed in the barrel; and a head removably fastened to an end of the barrel, and including a slide gate damper, and a tubular connecting part fastened to the slide gate damper and configured to be at least partially inserted into a charging orifice provided in a wall of a tank of the furnace, the slide gate damper and the connecting part including a system of internal ducts that can be connected to a source of coolant. A melting installation and a process can use such a batch charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
    Inventors: Gregoire Villeroy De Galhau, Yannick Lefrere, Mathieu Rayer
  • Patent number: 9387607
    Abstract: An imprint apparatus for transferring a pattern to an imprint material using a mold includes a substrate holding mechanism and a control unit. The substrate holding mechanism is configured to be divided into a plurality of areas, capable of varying an attracting force for attracting the substrate in each of the areas and to hold the substrate. The control unit is configured to, when a plurality of shots is formed on the substrate, control an imprint operation of transferring the pattern to the plurality of shots which are not adjacent to one another, makes the attracting force in the area of the substrate holding mechanism corresponding to the shot to which the pattern is transferred among the plurality of areas smaller than the attracting force at the time of the imprint operation and suck the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Matsumoto, Fumio Sakai
  • Patent number: 9381702
    Abstract: Methods creating composite preforms with a three-dimensional weaving pattern include stacking material layers and then connecting them with interlayer reinforcements. First and second layers are aligned and separated by a first layer spacing. First interlayer reinforcements are then inserted through at least the first and the second layers. At least a third layer is aligned with at least the first and second layers. Second interlayer reinforcements are inserted through at least the second and third layers, using the first layer spacing between the first and second layers to manipulated the second interlayer reinforcements during insertion. Following the insertion of at least the second interlayer reinforcement, this layer spacing is closed to bring the first and second layers into contact. Further layers and interlayer reinforcements may be added, using additional layer spacings to manipulate additional interlayer reinforcements to form complex three-dimensionally woven composite preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SERIFORGE INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Marc Hollander
  • Patent number: 9370905
    Abstract: A module (1) for holding at least one bushing (17) within a recess, wherein it comprises two side surfaces (2, 3), an upper (4) and a lower (5) surface and at least one end surface (6), wherein the upper (4) and lower (5) surfaces are of different width and arcs, respectively, in their cross-section, and the side surfaces (2, 3) are of equal height, and when coupled to a second module (8) by its side surfaces (3, 9), which second module (8) optionally may also hold at least one bushing (17), the sum of the angle (alpha) between the optionally imaginary plane side surface (12) of the one module (1) and the tangent (10) to its upper surface (4) at the intersection (A) with the side surface (3) and the angle (beta) between the optionally imaginary plane side surface (13) of the other module (8) and the tangent (11) to its upper surface (15) at the intersection (B) with the side surface (9) is at least 180 degrees and/or a plurality of modules (1), optionally when holding the bushings (17), form at least a sectio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Hexcel Holding GMBH, Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Flemming Moeller Larsen, Johannes Moser, Bruno Boursier
  • Patent number: 9370903
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an element (25) out of composite material, the element comprising three arms (22, 23, 24) arranged in a triangle. The method comprises the operations of: fabricating a three-dimensionally woven preform from reinforcing fibers and including through slots defining two arms (22, 23) and two half-arms that are all parallel and contiguous in pairs, each arm (22, 23) having one end whereby it is connected to a half-arm and another end whereby it is connected to the other arm (22, 23); shaping the preform by deploying it and by uniting its two half-arms in order to give it a triangle configuration; securing together the half-arms by stitching with reinforcing fibers; and injecting resin into the preform and polymerizing the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventors: Richard Masson, Gildas Garnier
  • Patent number: 9360751
    Abstract: An imprinting stamp and a nano-imprinting method using the imprinting stamp are provided. The imprinting stamp includes a first substrate; one or more field regions on the first substrate, the first substrate including nano-patterns; and a first dummy pattern region on the first substrate and adjacent to the field region, the dummy pattern region including first dummy patterns having greater dimensions than that of the nano-patterns, the first dummy patterns being a plurality of polygons, each of the polygons having a vertex pointing in a first direction proceeding from the field region toward the first dummy pattern region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-yeon Yang, Woong Ko, Jae-kwan Kim, Du-hyun Lee, Byung-kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9358733
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a fiber composite component with at least one opening, which is edged by an integral collar, a device for the execution of a method of this type with a mold core, which has at least one convexity for the formation of a component section in the form of a bulge, also a fiber composite component with a multiplicity of openings, each of which is edged by an integral collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Schimmler, Bernd Raeckers, Thomas Kruse, Wolfgang Schulze