Patents by Inventor Daniel L. Keller

Daniel L. Keller 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).

  • Publication number: 20260154463
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for constructing a system model. A first computer-aided x (CAx) model of a tangible object is received that is described in a first CAx model domain and includes a first model-based definition (MBD) and first CAx product manufacturing information (PMI). The first MBD includes geometric data and topological data. Second CAx PMI is received from a second CAx model domain different from the first CAx model domain. The second CAx PMI is mapped to the topological data of the first MBD using a systems modelling language, and a system model is constructed that includes the first MBD and the mapped second CAx PMI. The system model is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20260111006
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for utilizing gapless surface models in computer-aided design (CAD) applications to produce printing instructions for additive manufacturing (AM). A geometrically watertight CAD spline model of an object to be printed is received. For of a plurality of AM layers of the object, an intersection routine is performed of a plane of the layer with the geometrically watertight CAD spline model to obtain a respective smooth contour curve. For each AM layer, a plurality of hatch curves is determined within the plane of the layer and interior to the respective smooth contour curve. The smooth contour curves and the pluralities of hatch curves are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller
  • Patent number: 12566898
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for constructing a system model. A first computer-aided x (CAx) model of a tangible object is received that is described in a first CAx model domain and includes a first model-based definition (MBD) and first CAx product manufacturing information (PMI). The first MBD includes geometric data and topological data. Second CAx PMI is received from a second CAx model domain different from the first CAx model domain. The second CAx PMI is mapped to the topological data of the first MBD using a systems modelling language, and a system model is constructed that includes the first MBD and the mapped second CAx PMI. The system model is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20260023895
    Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. An as-designed watertight spline model of an object is received. A point cloud and the as-designed watertight spline model are used to construct a model of the object. The point cloud is obtained from a physical or virtual (simulated) inspection and/or manufacturing process. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the as-designed watertight spline model and the constructed model. The warp function is a continuous function quantifying differences between the as-designed model and the constructed model. As-preprocessed instructions for a simulation or analysis process of the object are determined based on metadata of the as-designed watertight spline model and the warp function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2025
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Patent number: 12530016
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for utilizing gapless surface models in computer-aided design (CAD) applications to produce printing instructions for additive manufacturing (AM). A geometrically watertight CAD spline model of an object to be printed is received. For of a plurality of AM layers of the object, an intersection routine is performed of a plane of the layer with the geometrically watertight CAD spline model to obtain a respective smooth contour curve. For each AM layer, a plurality of hatch curves is determined within the plane of the layer and interior to the respective smooth contour curve. The smooth contour curves and the pluralities of hatch curves are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller
  • Patent number: 12455551
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. An as-designed watertight spline model of an object is received. A set of sweep points along a sweep trajectory for manufacturing the object are used to determine a sweep surface. Model points are sampled from the as-designed watertight spline model and projected onto nearest as-executed points on the sweep surface. The projected as-executed points are used to construct an as-executed model of the object. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the as-designed watertight spline model and the as-executed model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the as-designed model and the as-manufactured object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: n Variate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20250232070
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for constructing a system model. A first computer-aided x (CAx) model of a tangible object is received that is described in a first CAx model domain and includes a first model-based definition (MBD) and first CAx product manufacturing information (PMI). The first MBD includes geometric data and topological data. Second CAx PMI is received from a second CAx model domain different from the first CAx model domain. The second CAx PMI is mapped to the topological data of the first MBD using a systems modelling language, and a system model is constructed that includes the first MBD and the mapped second CAx PMI. The system model is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20250181056
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. An as-designed watertight spline model of an object is received. A set of sweep points along a sweep trajectory for manufacturing the object are used to determine a sweep surface. Model points are sampled from the as-designed watertight spline model and projected onto nearest as-executed points on the sweep surface. The projected as-executed points are used to construct an as-executed model of the object. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the as-designed watertight spline model and the as-executed model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the as-designed model and the as-manufactured object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Patent number: 12299356
    Abstract: Determining a warp function between two watertight spline models. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A Torres
  • Patent number: 12293135
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for constructing a system model. A first computer-aided x (CAx) model of a tangible object is received that is described in a first CAx model domain and includes a first model-based definition (MBD) and first CAx product manufacturing information (PMI). The first MBD includes geometric data and topological data. Second CAx PMI is received from a second CAx model domain different from the first CAx model domain. The second CAx PMI is mapped to the topological data of the first MBD using a systems modelling language, and a system model is constructed that includes the first MBD and the mapped second CAx PMI. The system model is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20240411948
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A. Torres
  • Publication number: 20240386148
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for constructing a system model. A first computer-aided x (CAx) model of a tangible object is received that is described in a first CAx model domain and includes a first model-based definition (MBD) and first CAx product manufacturing information (PMI). The first MBD includes geometric data and topological data. Second CAx PMI is received from a second CAx model domain different from the first CAx model domain. The second CAx PMI is mapped to the topological data of the first MBD using a systems modelling language, and a system model is constructed that includes the first MBD and the mapped second CAx PMI. The system model is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Daniel L. Keller, Richard H. Crawford
  • Patent number: 12135923
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A. Torres
  • Publication number: 20240281572
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A. Torres
  • Patent number: 11989493
    Abstract: Determining a warp function between two watertight spline models. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: nVariate, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A. Torres
  • Publication number: 20240020434
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for methods, computer systems, and computer-readable memory media for determining a warp function. A first watertight spline model of a first object and a set of points and associated metadata from a second object are received. A second watertight spline model of the second object is constructed based on the set of points, the metadata, and the first watertight spline model. A warp function is determined based on a difference between the first watertight spline model and the second watertight spline model. The warp function is a continuous function approximating differences between the first object and the second object. The warp function is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller, Lisa A. Torres
  • Publication number: 20230030783
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for utilizing gapless surface models in computer-aided design (CAD) applications to produce printing instructions for additive manufacturing (AM). A geometrically watertight CAD spline model of an object to be printed is received. For of a plurality of AM layers of the object, an intersection routine is performed of a plane of the layer with the geometrically watertight CAD spline model to obtain a respective smooth contour curve. For each AM layer, a plurality of hatch curves is determined within the plane of the layer and interior to the respective smooth contour curve. The smooth contour curves and the pluralities of hatch curves are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin Urick, Richard H. Crawford, Daniel L. Keller
  • Patent number: 6418839
    Abstract: A detection system is installed into a press piston guiding area for detecting if the piston guiding system has lost its requisite clearance. The detector is installed in a typical press in such a way that when the negatively grounded press piston touches the detector, it discharges the electrical potential between the detector and the piston. Upon contact, a signaling device stops the press, and a fault is indicated. In an alternative embodiment, the detector senses an eddy current when in close proximity to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventors: Daniel L. Keller, Jill M. Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 5791655
    Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Daniel, Norman J. Couchot, Daniel L. Keller, William C. Brewer
  • Patent number: 5467705
    Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Daniel, Norman J. Couchot, Daniel L. Keller, William C. Brewer