Patents by Inventor Aragorn Zolno
Aragorn Zolno 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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Publication number: 20220288769Abstract: A bit or tool holder attachment comprising: a main body, having a connecting body mounted on electric drill or electric driver or power tool or manual tool, and a string and a cable retracting device are arranged in the main body, and one end of the string is fixed on a fixing body; and at least one bit or tool holder, having a movable body and a fixing ring, an attaching hole is arranged in middle of the fixing ring for a bit or tool to pass through and be attached in the fixing ring, and a ring-shaped recess is also arranged on outer surface of the fixing ring, and the movable body is sleeved on the ring-shaped recess, and one end of the movable body is connected with the fixing body, so that the bit or tool holder can be extended and retracted relative to the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Aragorn Zolno, Wilson Fajardo
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Patent number: 10364593Abstract: A closure release device includes a housing fixedly attached to a closure and an actuating lever rotatably disposed on an axis of rotation on the housing. A crank lever is rotatably disposed on the axis of rotation. A coupling member is to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever for rotation together. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is to selectively cause the coupling member to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever. The SMA actuator is electrically actuated. The crank lever is to connect to a latch to selectively release or engage the latch in response to a coupling state of the actuating lever with the crank lever and an actuation state of the actuating lever.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, DYNALLOY, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, Tyler P. Ownby, Paulo M. Mendonca
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Patent number: 10161167Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity and having a central longitudinal axis, and a plunger disposed within the cavity. The plunger has a first end and a second end and is translatable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The device includes an annular rotator disposed along the axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the axis. The device also includes an annular latch abutting the rotator that is transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The device includes a first element operably connected to the latch and formed from a first shape memory alloy and a second element operably connected to the latch and formed from a second shape memory alloy.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignees: GM Global Technlolgy Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Roger Herbert Culver, Robert Dallos, Jr., Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown
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Patent number: 10081969Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity therein and having a central longitudinal axis, and a plunger disposed within the cavity. The plunger has a first end and a second end and is translatable with respect to the body along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The device also includes an annular rotator spaced apart from the body along the axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the axis. The device includes an annular latch abutting the rotator that is transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The device also includes an element attached to the latch and formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to an activation signal to thereby transition the latch from the locked state to the unlocked state.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignees: Dynalloy, Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Roger Herbert Culver, Robert Dallos, Jr., Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown
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Patent number: 9895969Abstract: A push-push latch includes a slider slidably disposed on a frame. A resilient element is to urge the slider toward an extended state. The slider or the frame defines a cam-track. A pin member is connected to the frame or the slider. The pin member selectably engages a closed course in the cam-track to cause the slider to alternate between a retracted state and the extended state in response to alternating application and removal of an actuating force on the slider. An interference member is on the frame to selectively prevent the pin member from engaging the closed course thereby locking the slider in the retracted state. A pivotable catch is rotatably on the slider to open in the extended state and to close in the retracted state. A shape memory alloy actuator selectively causes the interference member to selectively prevent the pin member from engaging the closed course.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Roger Herbert Culver, Robert Dallos, Jr., Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown
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Patent number: 9623811Abstract: A deployable camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a housing having an exterior surface. The camera is reversibly transitionable between a stowed position in which the camera is recessed into the cavity and the exterior surface is substantially flush with the body, and a deployed position wherein the camera protrudes from the cavity and the exterior surface is not substantially flush with the body. The deployable camera system includes a first shape memory alloy element transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, DYNALLOY, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Debbie E Nachtegall, Nancy L. Johnson, Scott R. Webb, James Ryan Yates, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno
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Patent number: 9346345Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
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Publication number: 20150330118Abstract: A closure release device includes a housing fixedly attached to a closure and an actuating lever rotatably disposed on an axis of rotation on the housing. A crank lever is rotatably disposed on the axis of rotation. A coupling member is to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever for rotation together. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is to selectively cause the coupling member to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever. The SMA actuator is electrically actuated. The crank lever is to connect to a latch to selectively release or engage the latch in response to a coupling state of the actuating lever with the crank lever and an actuation state of the actuating lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, Tyler P. Ownby, Paulo M. Mendonca
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Publication number: 20150300055Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity and having a central longitudinal axis, and a plunger disposed within the cavity. The plunger has a first end and a second end and is translatable along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The device includes an annular rotator disposed along the axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the axis. The device also includes an annular latch abutting the rotator that is transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The device includes a first element operably connected to the latch and formed from a first shape memory alloy and a second element operably connected to the latch and formed from a second shape memory alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicants: DYNALLOY, INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Roger Herbert Culver, Robert Dallos, Jr., Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown
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Publication number: 20150300058Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity therein and having a central longitudinal axis, and a plunger disposed within the cavity. The plunger has a first end and a second end and is translatable with respect to the body along the axis between an open position and a closed position. The device also includes an annular rotator spaced apart from the body along the axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the axis. The device includes an annular latch abutting the rotator that is transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The device also includes an element attached to the latch and formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to an activation signal to thereby transition the latch from the locked state to the unlocked state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicants: Dynalloy, Inc., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Roger Herbert Culver, Robert Dallos, JR., Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown
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Patent number: 9097593Abstract: Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.Inventors: Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Carol A. Terry, Roland J. Menassa, Jan H. Aase, Jeffrey W. Brown, Wayne Brown, Aragorn Zolno, Christopher M. Barclay
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Patent number: 9068903Abstract: A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M. Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Patent number: 9035579Abstract: An actuator system for use in selectively engaging an input to an output. The actuator system includes an input sub-system having an input component configured to connect to an input element which is in turn connected to a work source. The actuator system also includes an output sub-system being connectable to the input sub-system for receiving work from the work source via the input sub-system. The actuator system further includes an actuator sub-system having an active material and an actuating component. The actuator sub-system is configured so that the active material, when activated, causes the actuating component to move from a first state to a second state to disengage the input and output sub-systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Publication number: 20140349560Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
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Publication number: 20140339834Abstract: A push-push latch includes a slider slidably disposed on a frame. A resilient element is to urge the slider toward an extended state. The slider or the frame defines a cam-track. A pin member is connected to the frame or the slider. The pin member selectably engages a closed course in the cam-track to cause the slider to alternate between a retracted state and the extended state in response to alternating application and removal of an actuating force on the slider. An interference member is on the frame to selectively prevent the pin member from engaging the closed course thereby locking the slider in the retracted state. A pivotable catch is rotatably on the slider to open in the extended state and to close in the retracted state. A shape memory alloy actuator selectively causes the interference member to selectively prevent the pin member from engaging the closed course.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: PAUL W. ALEXANDER, ROGER HERBERT CULVER, ROBERT DALLOS, JR., ARAGORN ZOLNO, JAMES HOLBROOK BROWN
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Patent number: 8864392Abstract: A camera system includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera attached to the body within the cavity and including a lens. The camera system also includes a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal, and a wiper configured for wiping debris from the lens. The wiper is attached to the camera and is actuatable by the shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy transitions between the first state and the second state to actuate the wiper so that the wiper contacts and translates across the lens and thereby wipes debris from the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, James Holbrook Brown, James Ryan Yates, Brian W. Bowling, James Q. La, Aragorn Zolno
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Patent number: 8821224Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is open to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
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Publication number: 20140211010Abstract: A deployable camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a housing having an exterior surface. The camera is reversibly transitionable between a stowed position in which the camera is recessed into the cavity and the exterior surface is substantially flush with the body, and a deployed position wherein the camera protrudes from the cavity and the exterior surface is not substantially flush with the body. The deployable camera system includes a first shape memory alloy element transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicants: DYNALLOY, INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Debbie E. Nachtegall, Nancy L. Johnson, Scott R. Webb, James Ryan Yates, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno
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Publication number: 20140081513Abstract: A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M. Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Publication number: 20140069318Abstract: Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: NANCY L. JOHNSON, ALAN L. BROWNE, NICHOLAS W. PINTO, IV, CAROL A. TERRY, ROLAND J. MENASSA, JAN H. AASE, JEFFREY W. BROWN, WAYNE BROWN, ARAGORN ZOLNO, CHRISTOPHER M. BARCLAY