Patents by Inventor Adam G. Kotlarek

Adam G. Kotlarek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Hollow automotive parts and methods for fabricating hollow castings
    Patent number: 11951538
    Abstract: Hollow automotive parts, methods for fabricating hollow automotive parts, and methods for fabricating hollow castings are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating a hollow casting includes casting at least a first casting section and a second casting section from a slurry using a semi-solid casting process, and welding the casting sections together at interfaces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Adam G. Kotlarek, Frank D. Risko
  • Method of joining dissimilar metals through friction stir welding and multi-metal component
    Patent number: 11440134
    Abstract: A component, which may be an automotive chassis structure, includes first and second sub-part main bodies. The first sub-part main body is formed of a first material, and the second sub-part main body is formed of a second material. The first material is a steel alloy, and the second material is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A transition layer is attached to and contacts the first sub-part main body. The transition layer is formed of a third material, where the third material contains at least a majority of copper. A mixed layer is disposed between the transition layer and the second sub-part main body, and the mixed layer is formed of a mixture of the second material and the third material. A disclosed method includes forming the component by friction stir welding the transition layer to the second sub-part main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Dale A. Gerard, Adam G. Kotlarek
  • HOLLOW AUTOMOTIVE PARTS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING HOLLOW CASTINGS
    Publication number: 20220234097
    Abstract: Hollow automotive parts, methods for fabricating hollow automotive parts, and methods for fabricating hollow castings are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating a hollow casting includes casting at least a first casting section and a second casting section from a slurry using a semi-solid casting process, and welding the casting sections together at interfaces therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Adam G. Kotlarek, Frank D. Risko
  • METHOD OF JOINING DISSIMILAR METALS THROUGH FRICTION STIR WELDING AND MULTI-METAL COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20200398369
    Abstract: A component, which may be an automotive chassis structure, includes first and second sub-part main bodies. The first sub-part main body is formed of a first material, and the second sub-part main body is formed of a second material. The first material is a steel alloy, and the second material is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A transition layer is attached to and contacts the first sub-part main body. The transition layer is formed of a third material, where the third material contains at least a majority of copper. A mixed layer is disposed between the transition layer and the second sub-part main body, and the mixed layer is formed of a mixture of the second material and the third material. A disclosed method includes forming the component by friction stir welding the transition layer to the second sub-part main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Dale A. Gerard, Adam G. Kotlarek