Patents by Inventor Anthony J. Grima
Anthony J. Grima 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).
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Patent number: 11420432Abstract: A method of dispensing an adhesive on a substrate includes flowing an extrudate of the adhesive through a flow control valve and an application nozzle, and introducing a non-adhesive fluid into the extrudate within the flow control valve upstream from a distal end of the application nozzle such that the non-adhesive fluid interrupts a boundary layer of the extrudate and a non-contact cut of the extrudate is provided. The non-adhesive fluid can be air that forms a bubble in the extrudate of the adhesive flowing through the application nozzle and adhesive dispensed onto the substrate is free of a string and/or a teardrop.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ahmad Mojdehi, David John Hill, Anthony J. Grima
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Patent number: 10875081Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material fanning a threaded collar. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded collar.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
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Publication number: 20200171714Abstract: A method of protecting a repair joint having at least two workpieces joined by a fastener includes selecting a preformed functional body based on at least one joint characteristic and applying the preformed functional body to cover the fastener and at least a portion of one of the workpieces. Generally, the preformed functional body inhibits contamination or moisture ingress at a joint interface, and especially in a repair operation. The preformed functional body in one form defines a material that undergoes a color change to indicate a state of cure, and in another form is cured by UV light, moisture, or heat after application.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Garret Sankey Huff, Anthony J. Grima
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Patent number: 10487863Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a castellated upper substrate defining a plurality of alternating troughs and ridges. A lower substrate is disposed adjacent the upper castellated substrate, and an adhesive material is disposed between the castellated upper substrate and the lower substrate. A fastener extends through a trough of the castellated upper substrate, through the adhesive material, and into the lower substrate. A method of assembling the upper and lower substrates is also provided, which includes plastically deforming the castellated upper substrate to reduce an intake of air between the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Anthony J. Grima
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Publication number: 20190168288Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material fanning a threaded collar. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Thomas NORTON, Amanda Kay FREIS, Anthony J. GRIMA, Garret Sankey HUFF
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Patent number: 10239112Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material forming a threaded sleeve. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded sleeve to secure the top part to the bottom part.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
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Publication number: 20180238363Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a castellated upper substrate defining a plurality of alternating troughs and ridges. A lower substrate is disposed adjacent the upper castellated substrate, and an adhesive material is disposed between the castellated upper substrate and the lower substrate. A fastener extends through a trough of the castellated upper substrate, through the adhesive material, and into the lower substrate. A method of assembling the upper and lower substrates is also provided, which includes plastically deforming the castellated upper substrate to reduce an intake of air between the substrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Anthony J. Grima
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Patent number: 9695853Abstract: Joints and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The joint may include a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width, a second component, an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components, and a fastener extending through the indentation. The fastener may join the first and second components and have a head with a width greater than a minimum width of the indentation. The method may include forming an indentation having a width in a first component, applying an adhesive to one of multiple components, and stacking the components. The indentation may form a bond gap between two components. A fastener may be inserted having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation into the indentation to join the components. The indentation may space the components apart to provide a larger bond gap for the adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
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Publication number: 20170130751Abstract: Joints and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The joint may include a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width, a second component, an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components, and a fastener extending through the indentation. The fastener may join the first and second components and have a head with a width greater than a minimum width of the indentation. The method may include forming an indentation having a width in a first component, applying an adhesive to one of multiple components, and stacking the components. The indentation may form a bond gap between two components. A fastener may be inserted having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation into the indentation to join the components. The indentation may space the components apart to provide a larger bond gap for the adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Thomas NORTON, Amanda Kay FREIS, Anthony J. GRIMA, Garret Sankey HUFF
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Publication number: 20170106430Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material forming a threaded sleeve. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded sleeve to secure the top part to the bottom part.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
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Patent number: 9604676Abstract: A method for providing a corrosion-resistant barrier between bolted dissimilar metals comprising the steps of disposing epoxy adhesive tape on at least one of a first and second metal member, curing the epoxy adhesive tape, applying a corrosion-resistant layer to the first and second metal members, and bolting the first and second metal members together such that the cured epoxy adhesive tape is positioned between the first and second metal members.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Elaine C. Kelley, Robert G. Starbowski, Robert William Woodall, Michael William Danyo, Duane Drobnich, Anthony J Grima, Kimberly Ann Lazarz
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Publication number: 20150050075Abstract: A method for providing a corrosion-resistant barrier between bolted dissimilar metals comprising the steps of disposing epoxy adhesive tape on at least one of a first and second metal member, curing the epoxy adhesive tape, applying a corrosion-resistant layer to the first and second metal members, and bolting the first and second metal members together such that the cured epoxy adhesive tape is positioned between the first and second metal members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Elaine C. Kelley, Robert G. Starbowski, Robert William Woodall, Michael William Danyo, Duane Drobnich, Anthony J. Grima, Kimberly Ann Lazarz