Patents by Inventor Ben Wahlstrom

Ben Wahlstrom 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).

  • Patent number: 11243074
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning a target to a vehicle for calibration of a sensor equipped on the vehicle includes multiple non-contact wheel alignment sensors configured for use in determining the orientation of tire and wheel assemblies of the vehicle. A target adjustment frame includes a target mount moveably mounted on a base frame, and includes multiple actuators configured to selectively move the target mount relative to the base frame, where the base frame is in a known orientation to the non-contact wheel alignment sensors. A computer system selectively actuates the actuators to position a target relative to the vehicle, with the target mount being moveable about a plurality of axes based on the determination of the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment frame to position the target relative to a sensor of the vehicle whereby the sensor is able to be calibrated using the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: BPG Sales and Technology Investments, LLC
    Inventors: David M. DeBoer, Brecht Desmet, Ryan M. Jefferies, Jon D. Lawrence, Thijs Pirmez, Ward Van de Walle, Fredriek Vanneste, Ben Wahlstrom, Nicholas R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20210333097
    Abstract: A non-contact sensor for determining orientation of an object, such as a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle, includes a projector assembly having a light emitter, a lens assembly and a mask, with the mask including mask apertures and the light emitter configured to project light through the lens assembly and mask apertures and onto the object, and with the mask apertures creating a light pattern of projected light onto the object. The sensor also includes an imager configured to image reflections of the light pattern from the object, and a processor. The projector assembly and imager are angled with respect to one another, and the processor is configured to process imaged reflections of the light pattern to derive the orientation of the object, such as the alignment orientation of the tire and wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Frank J. Bretl, David L. Frederic, Patrick C. Pointer, Mark A. Trevisiol, Ben Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20200348129
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning a target to a vehicle for calibration of a sensor equipped on the vehicle includes multiple non-contact wheel alignment sensors configured for use in determining the orientation of tire and wheel assemblies of the vehicle. A target adjustment frame includes a target mount moveably mounted on a base frame, and includes multiple actuators configured to selectively move the target mount relative to the base frame, where the base frame is in a known orientation to the non-contact wheel alignment sensors. A computer system selectively actuates the actuators to position a target relative to the vehicle, with the target mount being moveable about a plurality of axes based on the determination of the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target adjustment frame to position the target relative to a sensor of the vehicle whereby the sensor is able to be calibrated using the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: David M. DeBoer, Brecht Desmet, Ryan M. Jefferies, Jon D. Lawrence, Thijs Pirmez, Ward Van de Walle, Fredriek Vanneste, Ben Wahlstrom, Nicholas R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8393707
    Abstract: A substrate patterning method including the steps of spraying ink on a surface of a substrate, the spraying of the ink resulting in an overspray of excess ink past an edge of the substrate; changing a temperature of the excess ink to cause a change in a viscosity of the excess ink; and removing the excess ink having the changed viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Cudzinovic, Thomas Pass, Rob Rogers, Ray-Hon Sun, Sheng Sun, Ben Wahlstrom, Dennis Jason Fuhrman, Kyle David Altendorf
  • Publication number: 20120050374
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for removal of ink buildup are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In an embodiment, a chuck assembly to support a semiconductor substrate is provided. The chuck assembly includes a chuck, a trough disposed below the chuck, and a heater proximate to the trough. The chuck supports the semiconductor substrate while the trough collects an overspray of excess ink sprayed past an edge of the semiconductor substrate. The heater heats the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Cudzinovic, Thomas Pass, Rob Rogers, Ray-Hon Sun, Sheng Sun, Ben Wahlstrom, Dennis Jason Fuhrman, Kyle David Altendorf
  • Patent number: 8105527
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way how communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc,
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20100156003
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way how communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 7690909
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 7585450
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Patent number: 7520740
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Matthew Stonesmith, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Publication number: 20070077323
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Stonesmith, Don Hunter, Ben Wahlstrom, Lansing Stout, Gary Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20070075460
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Matthew Stonesmith, Don Hunter
  • Publication number: 20070075461
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with computer controlled heating elements responsive to thermistors for controlled preheating of the resin vat, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater blade that can be removed and accurately installed by hand, thus providing that all wetted components can be quickly and efficiently removed and installed and enabling rapid changeover from spent resin to fresh resin and minimizing apparatus downtime between stereolithography operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Don Hunter, Gary Reynolds, Ben Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20070074659
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20070075458
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Don Hunter
  • Publication number: 20060192312
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a photopolymer resin leveling system to permit concurrent use of multiple, photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus ensures the same level of photopolymer resin is maintained in each chamber during multiple chambered vat use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom