Patents Examined by Tom Dunn
  • Projection bolt welding device
    Patent number: 6653590
    Abstract: A projection bolt feed unit (14) is mounted on a welding frame (5) which is made to move by a robot system (1), and on either one of two electrodes (6, 7) installed on the welding frame (5) is formed a receiving hole (9) in which to insert a shaft (11). The projection bolt (10) held in said unit (14) stops at the position where its shaft (11) is coxial with the receiving hole (9), and then the shaft (11) is inserted into the receiving hole (9). After that, the welding frame (5) reaches the work (33) on standby, to weld the projection bolt (10) to the work (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshitaka Aoyama
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Slurry composition and process for producing ceramic moulds
    Patent number: 6651730
    Abstract: A ceramic mould slurry is disclosed for forming moulds and metal castings of improved surface quality. The slurry comprises a binder, a gelling agent, a first refractory material having a density of &rgr;1 and a mean particle size of &agr;1, and a second refractory material having a density of &rgr;2 and a mean particle size of &agr;2, wherein &rgr;1>&rgr;2 and &agr;1<&agr;2. The denser refractory material migrates downward through the slurry toward the upward-facing mould surface, thereby allowing formation of a smooth and accurate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Jiaren Jiang, Xing Yang Liu
  • Ceramic fibers for the reinforcement of refractory materials
    Patent number: 6649552
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is ceramic fibers for the reinforcement of refractory materials, being constituted by sintered bauxite fibers with a length/diameter greater than 10. Preferably, they have a cylindrical or prismatic shape truncated by two surfaces, for example, substantially planar surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the prism. They enable the mechanical strength and the lifetime of the refractory products to be significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pem Abrasifs Refractaires
    Inventor: Jean-Andre Alary
  • Process and apparatus for flow soldering
    Patent number: 6648216
    Abstract: A flow soldering process for mounting an electronic component onto a board by means of a lead-free solder material. Molten solder material is supplied and attached to a predetermined portion of the board in a solder material supplying zone, and the board is thereafter cooled by a cooling unit in a cooling zone such that the solder material adhering to the board is rapidly cooled to solidify.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Masato Hirano, Yoshinori Sakai
  • Friction stir welding using a superabrasive tool
    Patent number: 6648206
    Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Tracey W. Nelson, Carl D. Sorensen, Scott Packer, Paul Allen Felter
  • Pin standing resin-made substrate, method of making pin standing resin-made substrate, pin and method of making pin
    Patent number: 6648211
    Abstract: A pin standing resin substrate including a resin substrate having a substantially plate-shaped main surface and composed of one of a resin and a composite material containing a resin, and having a pin-pad exposed from the main surface; and a pin soldered to the pin-pad, wherein the pin has been thermally treated by heating so as to soften the pin. The pin has a rod-like portion composed of a copper base metal and an enlarged diameter portion made of the same material as the rod-like portion. The enlarged diameter portion has a larger diameter than the rod-like portion and is formed at one end of the rod-like portion. At least the enlarged diameter portion is soldered to the pin-pad. Also disclosed is a method of making the pin standing resin substrate, a pin for bonding with the resin substrate, and a method of making the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Saiki, Noritaka Miyamoto
  • Lead-free solder alloy powder paste use in PCB production
    Patent number: 6648210
    Abstract: Tombstoning susceptibility and reflow peak temperature reduction of solder alloys, in particularly lead-free solder alloys, has been found to be achieved effectively by mixing the solder alloy in the form of an alloy paste with a low melting alloy utilised in powder form, in particular a Bi-containing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Multicore Solders Limited
    Inventor: Hector Andrew Hamilton Steen
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a spray form process based on sensed surface temperatures
    Patent number: 6648053
    Abstract: Method and apparatus incorporating an infrared sensor, in the form of a two-wavelength imaging pyrometer into a metallic spray form process for providing real-time measurement of the surface temperature distribution of a steel billet thereby formed. The steel billets may be advantageously used as tools in metal forming processes, injection molding, die casting tooling and other processes that require hard tooling, such as in the automotive industry. The steel billet is formed based on a goal of uniform surface temperature distribution thereby minimizing thermal stresses induced within the steel article thereby produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Allor, John Richard Baer, Kevin Patrick Regan
  • Buffer layer structure based on doped ceria for providing optimized lattice match with a YBCO layer in a conductor
    Patent number: 6649570
    Abstract: A buffer layer structure based on doped ceria for providing optimized lattice match with a YBCO layer in a conductor, a lattice matching layer for use in said structure and process of manufacturing thereof. Said buffer layer comprises a CeO2 layer doped with a dopant, and has a superconductive layer of YBCO on said CeO2 layer. The invention is characterized in that the CeO2 layer is a lattice matching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Christian Belouet
  • Process for producing welded steel pipes with a high degree of strength, ductility and deformability
    Patent number: 6648209
    Abstract: In a process for producing welded steel pipes, a pipe is molded cold from a TM-rolled sheet, welded together and sized to the desired diameter, whereby the sheet includes steel with (in wt. %) 0.02 to 0.20% carbon, 0.05 to 0.50% silicon, 0.50 to 2.50% manganese, 0.003 to 0.06% aluminum, the remainder being iron with potentially other production-related impurities. After welding and sizing, the pipe is subjected to a heat treatment process at a temperature of 100-300° C. and for a holding time that is suited to the thickness of the pipe wall, with subsequent cooling with air or by forced cooling. The resulting pipe is resistant to aging and has sufficiently integral deformation reserve against fracturing with the same high degree of strength, without exceeding the upper limit for the ratio of yield strength to tensile stress according to the current industry standards for conventional steels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmannröhren-Werke AG
    Inventors: Gerold Hohl, Gerhard Knauf
  • Methanol-decomposing catalyst and methanol-decomposing apparatus comprising same
    Patent number: 6649562
    Abstract: A methanol-decomposing catalyst comprises catalytically active components containing copper and zinc, and a carrier composed of zirconia and/or titania and ceria for supporting the catalytically active components. The methanol-decomposing catalyst has excellent catalytic activity, thereby efficiently producing a hydrogen gas while suppressing side reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Hideaki Sumi, Kazuhito Matsuda, Shoji Isobe
  • Machine for cutting pipes with different cross-sections and diameters by means of a laser beam
    Patent number: 6649862
    Abstract: This invention concerns a machine for cutting pipes of different cross-section and diameter by means of a laser beam, comprising a laser source (26) and a system of mirrors for directing the laser beam from said source to a cutting head (7) for focalizing said beam on a pipe to be cut through a relevant mirror (Sp5, Sp7′). The cutting head is fitted rotating on an arm (3, 34) hinged on a bearing ring (5, 33) said bearing ring being on board a carriage (4, 32) sliding on a system of guide rails that can move parallel to the pipe to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tube Tech Machinery S.r.L.
    Inventor: Mauro Verzeletti
  • Apparatus for manufacturing semi-finished products and molded articles of a metallic material
    Patent number: 6648057
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing semi-finished products and molded articles of metallic materials includes an extruder for producing a flow of the metals, with appliances being connected thereafter for shaping the semi-finished products and the molded articles. The extruder has a screw system consisting of two or more meshing screws. This design has an improved functionality and can produce components with reproducible quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dworog, Erwin Bürkle, Hans Wobbe, Rainer Zimmet, Jochen Zwiesele
  • Truss core sandwich panels and methods for making same
    Patent number: 6644535
    Abstract: A structural material includes a plurality of discrete, interwoven wires disposed between and fastened to two solid face sheets. Each of the plurality of wires further includes at least two points of contact with each of the two face sheets. Methods for fabricating the aforementioned structural material include an automated methodology for fabricating a relatively inexpensive truss core sandwich panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Wallach, Lorna J. Gibson
  • Force sensing apparatus
    Patent number: 6644533
    Abstract: Force sensing apparatus is provided for sensing deflection of a transducer in an ultrasonic welding machine. The apparatus includes a body member, a transducer holder and a force sensor. The transducer holder is adapted to hold an ultrasonic transducer and the transducer holder is fixed to the body member. The force sensor is located between adjacent surfaces of the body member and the transducer holder to sense a force applied between the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Ou, Gary Peter Widdowson, Ka Shing Kenny Kwan
  • Combustion synthesis of glass (Al2O3-CaO-X-Y) ceramic (TiB2) composites
    Patent number: 6645424
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of in-situ formation of a series of glass-ceramic composites by the Self-propagating High temperature Synthesis (SHS) technique with advantages of processing simplicity as well as the potential of cost savings. The materials produced by the technique contain crystalline TiB2 phase and have either a pure glassy matrix or a glass matrix with partial devitrification based on the Al2O3—CaO system. The materials can potentially be used for infrared light transmission and for other high temperature applications. These materials can also be produced with relatively high porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Guigne International Ltd.
    Inventors: Hu Chun Yi, Jacques Y. Guigné, John J. Moore
  • Method of the removal of the templating agent from synthetic zeolites
    Patent number: 6645899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the removal of the templating agent from synthetic zeolites in general and in particular from silicalite, titanium silicalite and from composite materials containing zeolites and for their activation as catalysts. The method consists in treating the above materials with solvents in vapor phase and at a low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Enichem S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Palmery, Fausto Genoni, Guido Spano′, Leonardo Dalloro, Alberto Cesana, Roberto Buzzoni
  • Casting sand shake-out method and its apparatus
    Patent number: 6644382
    Abstract: A casting 31 is fixed to a support member 23, and the casting 31 is hit by a hammer 43 while vibrating the support member, so that vibrations of different properties are applied to the casting to shake out the sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Method of manufacturing superconducting wire
    Patent number: 6642182
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oxide superconducting wire including a component provided in the form of a tape and a metal tape. The component in the form of a tape has an oxide superconducting member and a metal coating member formed mainly of silver and coating a surface of the oxide superconducting member. The metal tape, bonded in a heat treatment (e.g., fusion- or diffusion-bonded) to a surface of the component in the form of a tape, does not contain any superconducting material and it is formed mainly of silver and it also contains at least one component other than silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuyuki Kaneko
  • Sealing riser sleeve
    Patent number: 6640874
    Abstract: A riser sleeve apparatus (10) for preparing and insulating a passage (14) within which molten metal is accumulated prior to its movement into a mold cavity which includes an inner surface (12) which longitudinally extends between a first end (16) and a second end (18) wherein the inner surface bounds the passage. The riser sleeve further includes an annular lip (20) which is positioned adjacent the second end and extends inward into the passage. When the riser sleeve is positioned about a plug of a pattern, the annular lip deforms to seal the passage at the second end. A process for forming a cast metal article using said riser sleeve apparatus. A process for forming the riser sleeve apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: American Metal Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Jay A. Vorndran, John E. Gotheridge