Patents by Inventor D. M. Wilkes

D. M. Wilkes 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).

  • LATERAL POSITION DETECTION FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20100140324
    Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Paul Fleming, David Lammlein, George E. Cook, D. M. Wilkes, Alvin M. Strauss, David Delapp, Daniel A. Hartman
  • LATERAL POSITION DETECTION FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20090294511
    Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Paul Fleming, David Lammlein, George E. Cook, D. M. Wilkes, Alvin M. Strauss, David Delapp, Daniel A. Hartman