Patents Examined by Michael A Laflame, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11420283
    Abstract: Embodiments of a welding power supply include an engine adapted to drive a generator to produce a first power and a energy storage device adapted to discharge energy to produce a second power. The welding power supply also includes control circuitry adapted to detect a commanded output. The control circuitry is adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the energy storage device to produce the second power when the commanded output is below a first predetermined load level. The control circuitry is further adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the engine and the energy storage device to produce the first power and the second power when the commanded output is above a second predetermined load level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Allen Raymond Sykes
  • Patent number: 11420288
    Abstract: A laser machining method includes directing, from an F-theta lens having a long focal length of greater than about 250 millimeters, a laser beam at a non-perpendicular beam tilt angle from an optical axis of the lens having a top-hat profile and a narrow beam divergence angle of between about 1 degree and about 3 degrees towards a workpiece on a stage movable in at least an X-direction and a Y-direction, engaging the directed laser beam with the workpiece disposed in the usable field of view, moving the workpiece and the directed laser beam relative to each other, and removing portions of the workpiece with the directed laser beam to define a machined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hongqiang Chen, Steven Robert Hayashi, Xi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11408132
    Abstract: Some deck or patio areas constructed of pavers mounted on adjustable pedestal supports must remain snow and ice free on their top surfaces. The pedestal-mounted paver heating system is designed to allow easy installation of electric heating cable that is positioned against the bottom surface of pavers so that heat generated by the cable is efficiently transferred up into the pavers to raise their temperature enough to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on their top surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: nVent Services GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen Logan, Sudhir Thorat, Craig Drake
  • Patent number: 11400535
    Abstract: A method for producing a built-up object, includes: producing maps beforehand, the maps indicating bead heights BH and bead widths BW corresponding to a base-surface inclination angle ? and a track inclination angle ?, in which the base-surface inclination angle is an angle between a base surface on which the weld beads are to be formed and a vertical direction, and the track inclination angle is an angle between a track direction of the torch and a vertical direction on the base surface; selecting a bead height BH0 and a bead width BW0 from the maps correspondingly to the base-surface inclination angle ? and the track inclination angle ? in forming a weld bead on the base surface; and forming the weld bead based on the selected bead height BH0 and bead width BW0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventors: Takemasa Yamasaki, Shinji Sato, Takeshi Yamada, Tatsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 11400548
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for deep welding a workpiece, a surface of the workpiece being irradiated by a first laser beam and a second laser beam. In a workpiece surface plane (OE) a first beam width B1 of the first laser beam is larger than a second beam width B2 of the second laser beam and in at least the workpiece surface plane (OE) the second laser beam lies inside the first laser beam. The intensity of the first laser beam alone is sufficient to produce a keyhole in the workpiece. The keyhole produced in the workpiece has a width KB in the workpiece surface plane (OE), KB substantially equaling B1, and B2?0.75*KB. The methods and systems provide good seam quality, high penetration depth, and high welding speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Haug, Nicolai Speker
  • Patent number: 11396063
    Abstract: A system used to additively manufacture an object layer-by-layer using direct energy deposition (DED) includes a base where the object is formed, a depositor configured to deposit material layer-by-layer on the base or a previously deposited layer of the object, an energy source configured to selectively direct an energized beam at the material to fuse a new layer of the material to a previously formed layer, and a heating element in contact with at least a portion of the base and configured to supply heat to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Pitera, Scott Wigen, Paul Robert Johnson, Ryan Philip Chou
  • Patent number: 11395559
    Abstract: An infant bottle feeding system includes an infant bottle with a chamber that receives a liquid, heating or cooling elements operable to heat or cool liquid in the chamber and sensors operable to sense parameters of the liquid in the chamber. The system optionally includes an electronic base removably attached to a bottom surface of the infant bottle and operable to deliver power to electronics in the infant bottle. The system optionally includes a thermal cover that fits over the infant bottle and releasably couples to the electronic base to enclose the infant bottle, the thermal cover insulating the infant bottle and inhibiting heat loss of the liquid in the chamber. The electronic base delivers power to the heating elements and sensors in the infant bottle only when the infant bottle is on the electronic base. The infant bottle, thermal cover and electronic base define a single travel pack unit when coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ember Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Alexander, Daren John Leith, Christopher Thomas Wakeham, Mikko Juhani Timperi, Martin Gschwandtl
  • Patent number: 11383327
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method uses an additive manufacturing device performing additive machining by controlling a machining head including a nozzle to supply columnar build material to a machining region on a target surface and a beam nozzle to irradiate the machining region with beam melting the build material, the nozzle and the beam nozzle being provided non-coaxially. When additive machining is performed in a state where the machining head is located with central axes of the beam and the build material being positioned on a single vertical plane, the machining path is divided into divided machining paths such that the machining head is moved in one direction along a direction of the build-material central axis when motion of the machining head is projected onto a plane perpendicular to an irradiation direction of the beam, and the machining head is moved along each divided machining path to perform additive machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daiji Morita, Nobuhiro Shinohara, Satoshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 11382379
    Abstract: A helmet has a helmet shell and a visor pivotally connected to the helmet shell. The helmet further has an electrical device attached to one of the visor and the helmet shell. First and second helmet electrical contacts are attached at both sides of the helmet and are adapted for electrically connecting to an electrical power source. First and second visor electrical contacts are attached to each side of the visor and are electrically connected to the electrical device. The first and second visor electrical contacts are pivotally connected to the helmet shell about first and second pivot axes respectively. The first and second visor electrical contacts are in contact with the first and second helmet electrical contacts respectively, at at least one position of the pivoting visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Dutour, Jerome Demers, Antoine Tazbaz
  • Patent number: 11383316
    Abstract: A processing head assembly is disclosed. In some examples, the processing head assembly comprises a fabrication energy source; a wire feedstock surrounded by a shield and one or more filler feedstocks surrounded by one or more nozzles. In some examples, the fabrication energy source includes the wire feedstock surrounded by the shield. A method of depositing material on a substrate using a processing head assembly for use with a fabrication energy source; a wire feedstock surrounded by a shield and one or more filler feedstocks surrounded by one or more nozzles is disclosed. In some examples, the method comprises projecting a fabrication energy beam from the fabrication energy source onto the substrate at a spot, projecting the wire feedstock surrounded by the shield onto the substrate at the spot and projecting the one or more filler feedstocks surrounded by the one or more nozzles onto the substrate close to the spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Karl F. Hranka
  • Patent number: 11376686
    Abstract: Described is a heated gaseous welder system and associated methods of welding plastic with the heated gaseous welder system. The heated gaseous welder system includes a welding tool and a welder control unit. The welder control unit includes a gaseous control system and a heater control system. The gaseous control system is configured to selectively supply a gas to the welding tool and control at least one characteristic of the gas supplied to the welding tool. The heater control system is configured to selectively control power supplied to the welding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Aerosystems Services Americas, LLC
    Inventor: James Wood Smith
  • Patent number: 11375725
    Abstract: A food smoker oven with a front section and a rear section. The rear section is a drawer that contains smoldering organic material. The front section includes a rotisserie for holding the food being prepared. A gas burner separates the front section and the rear section. The gas burner provides a curtain of combustion gasses between the smoker drawer and the rotisserie rod that mixes with the smoke from the smoldering organic material. The food on the rotisserie is forward of the burner so that the burner does not provide heat directly underneath the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Vladimir Morales
  • Patent number: 11369118
    Abstract: Conveyor ovens for cooking food according to various embodiments include one or more passive tubes in a plenum positioned opposite one or more burner tubes, wherein the passive tubes have outer walls with apertures therethrough. In some cases, a burner assembly for a conveyor oven includes at least one burner tube extending into a plenum and positioned to receive at least a portion of a flame emitted by the burner assembly, wherein a rifling plate extends through the burner tube and is slidingly positioned within the burner tube. Also, in some cases a baffle in a plenum of the oven is positioned opposite the burner tube and defines a fluid conduit having an entrance into which air heated from the burner tube is received and an exit separate from the entrance and through which air is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mohan K. Panicker
  • Patent number: 11375585
    Abstract: A cooking appliance apparatus, in particular an oven apparatus, includes a first heating element, a second heating element, a control unit configured to jointly operate the first and second heating elements to heat a cooking chamber in an operating state, and a power distributor unit which is configured to divide a total power into a first output power and a second output power in the operating state and to supply the first output power to the first heating element and the second output power to the second heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Juan Jose Galindo Perez, Sergio Llorente Gil, Carlos Obon Abadia, Jose Manuel Palacios Gasos, Enrique Javier Perez Visa, Edgar Jorge Ramirez Laboreo, Fernando Sanz Serrano, Rebeca Soria Ruiz
  • Patent number: 11353217
    Abstract: A method of operating an electric oven includes generating a door-closed signal if the oven door is in a closed position. The electric broiling element is activated to perform a closed-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-closed signal. The temperature within the cooking chamber of the electric oven is determined during the closed-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a shutoff temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Donarski, John F. Hines, James C. Johncock
  • Patent number: 11344962
    Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11344967
    Abstract: A process for layer manufacturing comprising: (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition using a detector substantially contemporaneously with the depositing step; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); (g) protecting the detector with a vapor protection device; and (h) repeating steps (a) through (g) at one or more second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SCIAKY, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Stecker
  • Patent number: 11338392
    Abstract: A cutting method for forming a chamfered corner includes a step of selecting a light pattern-adjusting module according to a pre-cut chamfer angle, a step of the light pattern-adjusting module emitting a laser beam to a substrate and thus forming a modified region extending in a thickness direction at the substrate, a step of the light pattern-adjusting module adjusting an axial energy distribution of a light pattern of the laser beam to vary an appearance of the modified region so as to form the modified region fulfilling the pre-cut chamfer angle, and a step of etching the substrate having the modified region to form a chamfered surface on the substrate by cutting the modified region from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hsin-Yu Chang, Fu-Lung Chou, Chien-Jung Huang, Yu-Chung Lin, Min-Kai Lee
  • Patent number: 11343883
    Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device is provided having a controller and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into an enclosed cavity to heat up a food load. The controller is configured to: select a heating target; generate a heating strategy to determine a sequence of desired heating patterns; cause the RF feeds to output an RF signal to thereby excite the enclosed cavity; monitor the created heating patterns to measure resonances in the enclosed cavity and store a map of efficiency in frequency and phase domains from which the controller identifies resonant modes and Q-factors associated therewith; continue to monitor the created heating patterns and store maps of efficiency in the frequency and phase domains until a specified change is detected in at least one Q-factor; and when the specified change in the at least one Q-factor is identified, stop cooking the food load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Guatta, Valeria Nocella, Mattia Rigo
  • Patent number: 11337544
    Abstract: A single brew system includes a kettle base and a platform is attached to the kettle base. The platform is adapted to receive and retain a kettle. A mug base is spaced from the kettle base and a mug platform is attached to the mug base. The mug platform is adapted to receive a mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Saint Anthony Industries LTD
    Inventor: Khristian Bombeck