Patents Examined by Michael W Hotchkiss
  • Patent number: 11939722
    Abstract: The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph V. D'Amico, III
  • Patent number: 11931793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an inlet lip skin part according to a nominal definition comprising dimensions of the lip skin and associated tolerances, the method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining at least one blank from at least one metal sheet; b) deforming the at least one blank into an intermediate part; and c) machining a first surface of the intermediate part with a first machining path, said first machining path being independent of the real dimensions of the intermediate part, and being based on the nominal definition of the lip skin part, so as to obtain a semi-machined part, and d) machining a second surface of the semi-machined part with a second machining path, said second machining path being based on real dimensions of the semi-machined part and the nominal definition of the lip skin part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Creuzet Aeronautique
    Inventors: Jérôme Abelard, Jean-Philippe Toschi, Raphaël Simeon, Patrick Brien
  • Patent number: 11931789
    Abstract: An assembly to deform metal parts by magnetic pulse includes an induction coil having branches connected to a power supply. The branches extend adjacent to one another to define a slot. An active portion of the coil connected to the first and second branches, an active surface of the active portion being arranged opposite a part to be deformed. The assembly includes an integral mask cooperating in a detachable manner with all or a portion of the coil when the mask is in an operating position on the coil. The mask having a shape that is at least partially complementary to the shape of the coil such that when it is in the operating position, a first portion of the mask is inserted into the slot and a second portion of the mask covers the active surface of the coil. The mask being made of an electrically insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ADM28 S.ÀR.L
    Inventors: Thomas Rivault, Pierre Thouet
  • Patent number: 11925967
    Abstract: A paintless dent repair kit includes a housing with a handle extending therefrom and a toothed wheel rotatably retained in the housing. The toothed wheel has a plurality of teeth extending outwards therefrom and is configured to receive, replace, and removably retain a connector, which is attached on the other end to a quick-connect coupling. The quick-connect coupling is, in turn, configured to releasably retain a socket of a commercially-available set of dent removal tips, for example, a KIPP socket or an ULTRA socket. The housing features a first button connected to a teethed lever slidably positioned to be either engaged or disengaged with the plurality of teeth of the toothed wheel depending on the position of the first button. Unless the first button is depressed, the dent removal tool is configured to securely and fixedly retain the dent removal tip to facilitate direct transmission of force and torque from the handle to the coupling and then to the dent removal tip during dent removal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Jake Matthew Thomas
  • Patent number: 11914431
    Abstract: A hinge area and processes of forming the hinge area are described. The hinge area is part of cover of a laptop computer. A material used for the cover is of a certain thickness. Stamping and forming a shape that defines the hinge area is performed on the material. The top of the shape is cut to provide for sides of the hinge area. Squeeze forging operations are performed to thicken the sides, and CNC machining is further performed on the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Zielnicki, Kevin L. Kamphuis
  • Patent number: 11904381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a gear worm (12) which is located in particular on an armature shaft (14) of an electromotive drive unit (10), wherein firstly a worm gear (20) having screw flanks (22) axially opposite one another on a longitudinal axis (18) is formed by means of a rolling tool, and subsequently a groove structure (24) which is concentric about the longitudinal axis (18) is formed on the screw flanks (22) by means of an additional process step. The invention also relates to a gear worm (12) produced according to the method according to the invention, and to a transmission drive unit (10) containing such a gear worm (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jie Bao, Bernhard De Graaff, Daniel Cettier, Guang Qiao, Holger Thoene, Otmar Hertwig, Volker Hertweck
  • Patent number: 11905756
    Abstract: A window frame assembly for installation within a garage door having front and rear exposed surfaces and one or more window openings. The assembly includes front and rear window frame members which are installed within the door openings in the garage door. The front and rear members are brought toward each other to sandwich the borders of each of the window openings while also capturing an associated transparent pane. A series of fastening members are used to hold the front and rear frame members securely against each other. The front and rear window frame members are made of synthetic polymeric starting stock starting materials which, together with the transparent panes, are able to withstand hurricane force winds and associated blowing debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: National Door Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Webb, Jorge Prieto
  • Patent number: 11899422
    Abstract: A drilling method is provided allowing drilling in confined spaces with less effort. Two independent data sources are used for reducing tolerances between the component to be joined to the workpiece. The component is measured at the supplier using photogrammetry or laser scanning. First geometric data of the component obtained by this measurement are put in a data storage, such as a barcode tag or database. At the manufacturer, the first geometric data are used to position the component relative to the workpiece. Subsequently, the component is measured to obtain second geometric data indicative of the positions and diameters of the component joining holes. After determining a deviation between the first and second geometric data to be smaller than a predetermined threshold, the automatic drill is positioned at the correct drilling location and joining holes are drilled into the workpiece. Finally, the component and the workpiece are joined by fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christopher Degen
  • Patent number: 11897033
    Abstract: A process for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional metal part consists of successively solidifying successively deposited layers of metal powder by melting with a laser beam (120), and defining in each of these successive layers at least one core region (210) and/or at least one shell region. The melting of said core regions (210) is effected with said laser beam (120) so as to form weld beads (211) that have identical widths (L), are mutually parallel and are juxtaposed or spaced apart or overlap over a distance less than X % of their width, and the melting of said shell regions is effected similarly to form weld beads that have identical widths to one another and to the weld beads of the core, are mutually parallel and that overlap over a distance greater than X % of their width, X being greater than 0 and less than 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Pierre Pays
  • Patent number: 11885442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical joining of Nickel Titanium tubes, also known as Nitinol, to other tubular components. Such mechanical joining may be achieved by interpenetration of lobe features between the respective tubes by translating the tubes together on a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, by a combination of translation and rotational motion or by a hinging motion. The Nitinol superelasticity is used to accommodate the lobe deformation required for assembly and to snap the lobe back into its original shape to complete the mechanical joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: VIANT AS&O HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Broadley, Michael D. Wood, Jim D. Cooney, Timothy Hoklas
  • Patent number: 11866201
    Abstract: A device to assemble a skin and a frame of an aircraft fuselage. The device includes first and second brace members that extend along opposing sides of a gap. Arches are spaced apart and fixedly connected to the first and second brace members and that extend across the gap. A strongback is attached to and movable along the first and second brace members with the strongback having a curved shape that matches the plurality of arches. The strongback includes clamps configured to engage with the frame. First and second tension devices apply tension to the skin at the strongback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Santiago Mejia, Patrick James Macko, Byron James Autry, Paul Gabriel Werntges, Larry Scott Smotherman, David Raines, Sara Murphy
  • Patent number: 11850675
    Abstract: Various implementations include a method of manufacturing one or more devices. The method includes obtaining a base portion of a non-shape-memory metal, disposing one or more shape-memory metal portions along the base portion, and joining at least a first layer of the non-shape-memory metal to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing. The shape-memory metal portions are disposed along a first base surface of the base portion. The shape-memory metal portions have a first portion contacting the base portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and extending from the base portion. The first layer is joined to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing and has a first layer surface that is joined to the first base surface. The first layer surface contacts the shape-memory metal portions when the first layer is joined to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Boyd Panton, Marcelo J. Dapino, Leon M. Headings, Mark Bryant Gingerich, Jennifer L. Morris
  • Patent number: 11851213
    Abstract: Methods and structural gap filler for one up assembly of structures. Drilling debris generated between the first component and the second component during drilling of an injection hole are encapsulated by injecting a structural gap filler through the injection hole and between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel James Cowan, Shane Edward Arthur, Marianne Elizabeth Wilkinson, Mark W. Cleary, Bart Stevens
  • Patent number: 11850989
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kloepfer, Trever Lorne Howden, Christopher Howard Kloepfer
  • Patent number: 11845652
    Abstract: In described examples, a cushioning unit assembler includes first, second, third, and fourth rows of welding heads, a transport, and a feed module. The welding heads have a welding position and a retracted position. A main axis of the welding heads is oriented in a first dimension while in the welding position. The transport is disposed above the rows of welding heads. The transport has a main axis oriented in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The feed module includes a pocketed spring intake and a pocketed spring outflow. The transport is mechanically coupled to enable the feed module to move in the second dimension along a scope of movement. An exit aperture of the outflow vertically aligns with welding heads of the first row that are in the welding position, and vertically aligns with welding heads of the second row that are in the welding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Martin Wolfson
    Inventor: Martin Wolfson
  • Patent number: 11846309
    Abstract: The concave part includes an open end portion having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of a tip end portion of a ball stud, a fitting portion which is connected to the open end portion and has an inlet smaller than the outer diameter of the tip end portion and in which the tip end portion is housed, and a plurality of slits which are formed in a fitting direction of the ball stud from the open end portion and arranged at a predetermined interval along the circumference of the concave part. The pull-out prevention part includes a plurality of first ribs located on extensions of the respective slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Koji Tomiyama, Koichiro Iwanaga, Takuya Tokunaga, Ryosuke Kutsuna, Junichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11835158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical joining of Nickel Titanium tubes, also known as Nitinol, to other tubular components. Such mechanical joining may be achieved by interpenetration of lobe features between the respective tubes by translating the tubes together on a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, by a combination of translation and rotational motion or by a hinging motion, or by use of the shape-memory effect. The Nitinol superelasticity is used to accommodate the lobe deformation required for assembly and to snap the lobe back into its original shape to complete the mechanical joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: VIANT AS&O HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Broadley, Michael D. Wood, Jim D. Cooney, Timothy Hoklas
  • Patent number: 11833576
    Abstract: A method of riveting comprising providing a rivet having a head and a shank depending downwardly therefrom, the shank terminating in a tip and being hollow so as to define a rivet interior, receiving an insert at least partially within the rivet interior, placing the rivet and insert on the opposite side of a workpiece from a die, driving the rivet and the insert towards the die and into the workpiece under the action of a force using a punch along a central axis, and reacting the force using the die so as to cause the rivet to flare outwardly and interlock the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Atlas Copco IAS UK Limited
    Inventor: Elliot Jones
  • Patent number: 11827380
    Abstract: Disclosed herein in a system for positioning a sub-assembly for installation. The system comprises a tool comprising a base and a sub-assembly support. The sub-assembly support is positioned above the base and pivotably mounted to the base at a pivot axis. The tool is positioned adjacent to an interior surface of an assembling body and configured to support a sub-assembly. The system also comprises at least one actuator that is selectively operable to tilt a first surface of the sub-assembly support toward an opening in the assembling body and adjust an angle of the sub-assembly support, relative to the base. The system further comprises an interior conforming device attached to the tool and configured to interface with the interior surface of the assembling body. The system additionally comprises an exterior conforming device configured to interface with the exterior surface of the assembling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Pierig Bonnefoy
  • Patent number: 11827162
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle headliner. In one example, a method for forming the headliner includes forming a recess and an opening for a support structure in a base substrate layer of the headliner during heat treatment of the base substrate layer. The method further includes inserting the support structure in the recess and the opening and covering the base substrate layer with a skin. A positioning of the support structure within the base substrate layer allows an outline of the support structure to be undetectable through the skin by sight or touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sullivan Do