Patents Examined by Stefan Staicovici
  • Patent number: 6531082
    Abstract: Conductor bars for the stator winding of an electrical machine are impregnated by winding the bars with an insulation, impregnating the insulation, and then curing. Specifically, the bars are provided on their surface with an insulation which is produced by wrapping each conductor bar with an insulating tape, preferably with a mica-containing insulating tape, which is impregnated with an insulating fluid, preferably curable synthetic resin. Each conductor bar provided with the finished insulation is provided over its entire length with a press-tight and fluid-tight casing. The encased conductor bar is subjected on all sides to a pressure p1 in a pressing device. The impregnating fluid is introduced into the interspace between the insulated conductor bar and the casing at a pressure P2<P1. The conductor bar, loaded with impregnating resin over its entire length in this way and surrounded by the casing, is pressed to shape and size at the curing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power
    Inventor: Peter Klee
  • Patent number: 6528006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plastic film having a predefinable outline and/or even or uneven thickness, by machining preformed plastic film for separation and/or ablation. The method is used especially for producing flexible flaps for artificial heart valves. To produce a film having local variations in thickness and smooth edges where the piece of film has been cut, the invention provides for the plastic film to be separated and/or for specific areas to be ablated to the desired thickness by means of a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Adiam Life Science AG
    Inventor: Josef Jansen
  • Patent number: 6524515
    Abstract: The method provides for forming a supporting structure of the steering wheel, the structure having a metal core and an outer cover layer of polymer material; for each portion of the structure to be covered with valuable material (e.g. brier), two curved preformed half-shells of multilayer composite material are formed of such shape and size as to fit, facing each other, on opposite sides about the corresponding portion of the structure, so as to define a substantially continuous, tubular shell; the portion of the structure is wound, over the outer cover layer, with at least one layer of cloth impregnated with a polymer resin and to which the preformed half-shells are applied; and polymerization of the polymer resin, conducted in a heated mold, ensures adhesion of the half-shells to each other and to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cavalli S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luigi Cavalli
  • Patent number: 6521150
    Abstract: A silicone gel sheet is heat-molded from a silicone gel composition comprising metal oxide magnetic particles and a thermoconductive filler. The sheet has a high electromagnetic wave absorbing property at a frequency ranging from 500 to 800 MHz. The hardness of the composition after hardening treatment is set in the range of 10-95 when measured with an ASKER F-type hardness meter. The metal oxide magnetic particles used here can be either Mn—Zn ferrite or Ni—Zn ferrite whose average particle diameter is 1-50 &mgr;m. For the thermoconductive filler, a metal oxide, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, or silicon carbide can be used. In the silicone gel molded sheet, an electroconductive mesh is embedded in one surface layer of the silicone gel layers while the other surface is provided with adhesiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Polymer Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takako Maeda, Mitsuhiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6511627
    Abstract: A method of forming a complex profile of uneven depressions in the surface of the ablatable workpiece by laser ablation with the use of a simple optics or a mask of a simple configuration. The method includes the steps of determining the complex profile in accordance with a particular feature to be given to the surface of the workpiece, then dividing the complex profile into more than one simple and regular waveform patterns of different characteristics, and irradiating an energy beam to the surface of the work piece to form the individual regular waveform patterns successively in an superimposed fashion by ablation in the surface of the workpiece. Accordingly, the desired complex profile can be easily obtained at an improved efficiency and at a moderate cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Asahi, Yuichi Uchida, Masao Kubo
  • Patent number: 6508974
    Abstract: A method of flowing resin from an inlet opening into a sealed mold and a lay up which is comprised of at least one top layer of absorbent or reinforcing material which defines a passage or hole from the inlet opening to a non-absorbent layer which non-absorbent layer lies above at least one bottom layer of reinforcing material. This process flows the resin from the inlet opening into the mold then through the passage defined by the top reinforcing layer through the non-absorbent layer and then through channels defined by the non-absorbent layer throughout the lay up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: David Loving
  • Patent number: 6506325
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article comprises the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the reinforcing material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Craig Lawrence Cartwright
  • Patent number: 6506330
    Abstract: A molding apparatus and method of injection, compression or otherwise molding a closure having projections extending inwardly from a skirt of the closure includes a plurality of slides for movement obliquely with respect to an inner mold core. A ring contacts the closure and surrounds the slides. Movement of the ring relative to the mold core results in the movement of the closure which moves the slides to disengage recesses on the slides. The recesses are used to form the projections on the closure. The ring contacts the closure and advances the closure away from the mold core. The projections seated within the recesses on the slides move the slides obliquely relative to the mold core and ultimately disengage the recesses from the projections thereby releasing the closure from the mold. The movement of the slides is independent from the movement of the ring so that complicated mechanisms for movement of the slides are not required according to this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Schweigert, Ui Hwan O
  • Patent number: 6500375
    Abstract: To make a seamless tube of polyimide, an amount of polyamic acid precursor to constitute the final tube is applied eveny as a solution to a cylindrical mandrel. The mandrel is rotated while a canted doctor blade smoothes the solution. The solvent is then expelled and the remaining precursor cured by heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Oral Aulick, Robert Glenn Smith, Mark Stephen Weisman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6497832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power transmission striated belt including an elastomeric matrix (21) and a lengthwise supporting structure consisting of polyamide 4.6 twisted strands (20). The supporting structure (21) is selected so that the stress-elongation diagram of the belt exhibits an average slope ranging from 12 to 20 daN/% of elongation per width centimeter. The twisted strands are wound with an almost null nominal tension, and the curing operation and the cooling operation after curing are carried out without any belt tensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Alain Winninger, Jean Claude Sedilleau, Jean-Jacques Robert
  • Patent number: 6495091
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with an integrated process for the manufacture of polymer and/or composite products, comprising the integration of processing operations to achieve a plurality of material conversion steps, such as impregnation, consolidation and bonding, within one single controlled fabrication cycle. The process includes an in-situ final preparation of at least one composite preform at the location of the moulding operation and an integrated moulding operation comprising a step of providing an additional matrix-functioning material into the mould to at least partially enclose the composite preform, the operation of providing the additional matrix-functioning material providing the pressure for an in-situ final consolidation of the composite product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Jan-Anders Manson, Pierre-Etienne Bourban, François Bonjour
  • Patent number: 6495081
    Abstract: A tread band for vehicle tires is manufactured by conveying a primary elastomer material (4) through an extrusion path (11, 15) defined by a preforming channel (15) followed by an extrusion outlet (11) formed in a die (10). The preforming channel (15) is defined in a preforming device (9) comprising a drawer (12) operatively engaging a preformer (13). Formed in the drawer (12) is an auxiliary channel (17) the end length (17b) of which opens at right angles into the extrusion path (11, 15), close to the extrusion outlet (11). An auxiliary elastomer material (5) conveyed to the auxiliary feeding channel (17) is homogeneously distributed by a coating effect under the lower surface of the tread band (4a) crossing the extrusion outlet (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Pirelli Coordinamento Pneumatici
    Inventor: Vincenzo Benatti
  • Patent number: 6485661
    Abstract: A composite material blank for an orthotic insert. The device is formed of layers of fiberglass and graphite fiber material. A first graphite fiber layer provides the overall structure with increased strength, while secondary graphite fiber reinforcement strips are arranged below the first and fifth rays of the foot to provide additional rigidity and control in these areas. The edges of the graphite fiber layers are recessed inwardly from the edges of the fiberglass layers so as to provide a graphite-free border which prevents cracks from propagating into the graphite fiber layers. The layers are bonded together by heat curing over molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis N. Brown
  • Patent number: 6461557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a plastic component with at least a first and second set of integrally molded castellations for retaining an O-ring therebetween; the component therefrom; and further embracing a method and apparatus for forming such a plastic component comprising one or more filtration windows with filtration material outwardly of the castellations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Boast, Phillip K. Loek
  • Patent number: 6461561
    Abstract: A molding arrangement and method, such as slush or rotational molding, for forming a thermoplastic shell or skin product. The mold arrangement includes a hollow mold housing provided with a mold shell thereon, which together define an air chamber located within the mold housing. A plurality of air flow control devices, such as centrifugal fans, are mounted within the mold housing and direct heated air into the air chamber through discharge channels defined within the mold housing. The mold arrangement also includes an elongate air supply and heating arrangement which generates heated air within the mold housing and along substantially the entire longitudinal extent thereof to effect uniform heating of the mold shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Magna Interior Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. McNally
  • Patent number: 6458311
    Abstract: For the continuous manufacture of a twin-wall pipe having a pipe socket and consisting of a smooth internal tube and an external tube, which is welded together therewith and provided with transverse grooves, two extruders are provided, which extrude an external tube and an internal tube via a joint crosshead. Switches are provided for the production of a pipe socket, by means of which the speed of the extruder is modified in such a way that the mass flow of the melt of plastic material for the production of the external tube is reduced during the production of the pipe socket and/or the mass flow for the production of the inner tube is augmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Ralph Peter Hegler
  • Patent number: 6454979
    Abstract: A method of wet granulation of fertilizer and other materials into granules. The method involves formation of the granule directly on the pan from the feedstock without intermediate steps or the use of seed materials. The result is a product having a completely uniform cross section. The feedstock is initially in the size distribution of −150 mesh with 90% or greater in the size range of 200 mesh. Moisture is maintained to facilitate a steady process without cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Airborne Industrial Minerals Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Phinney
  • Patent number: 6451241
    Abstract: A sheet of uncured polymer, which is preferably reinforced with multiple layers of fiber, is staged or partially cured to a state in which the sheet is rigid at room temperature. Multiple apertures are drilled into, and preferably through, the sheet. The apertures are for acoustic or laminar flow control, and include holes having diameters in the range of 0.025 to 0.120 inch. In the case in which the fabricated panels must conform to a particular shape, the perforated, partially cured panels are heated to a temperature at which the panel softens, and conformed to the desired surface. The partially cured, perforated sheets are then cured. In order to prevent closure of the drilled holes during the cure, the perforated panel is sandwiched between two layers of glass fabric and cured on an elastomeric tool surface which expands with increases in temperature, forcing the glass fabric to seal the holes during cure. Release coatings are used to aid panel/liner separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: MRA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alla Ohliger, Mahendra Maheshwari, Joe Franklin Spangler
  • Patent number: 6447705
    Abstract: A method of creating or fabricating a composite preform wherein a mixture of a catalyst and a first epoxy resin is applied to at least one layer of fibers, preferably in the form of a fabric, mat or unidirectional tape. A plurality of stacked layers is formed from layers of fibers with applied mixture thereon, preferably in a mold. The layers are pressurized and/or heated to reduce the viscosity, such as but not limited to melting, of the first epoxy resin and catalyst and then allowed to fuse together to form a preform. The preform in the closed mold is impregnated with a mixture of a second epoxy resin and a polycyanate to cause cross-linking, the cross-linking including the first epoxy resin. The first and second epoxy resins may be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gray E. Fowler, Steve P. Phifer
  • Patent number: 6444152
    Abstract: A method and system for capturing support materials in carrier frames in the manufacture of seat components for chairs including moving the support material to an openable mold press forming a mold cavity for the carrier frame when the mold press is closed, shaping the support material, and molding the carrier frame to capture the shaped material in the carrier frame. In one embodiment, the support material is stretched as it is moved to the mold press, and/or in the mold press before molding the carrier frame. Excess support material is removable from an outer side portion of the carrier frame after molding the carrier frame and before discharging the carrier frame and support material captured thereby from the mold press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Salas, David Korhorn, Roger Shores