Patents by Inventor Daniel Quinn Houston
Daniel Quinn Houston 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: 10722930Abstract: Dies for forming components, such as sheet components, and methods of producing the dies are disclosed. The die may include a bulk material and a forming surface. A solid conductor may be formed in the bulk material. The solid conductor may be spaced from and extend adjacent to the forming surface and have a melting point that is greater than a melting point of the bulk material. The solid conductor may be configured to absorb heat from the forming surface. There may multiple solid conductors within the bulk material, for example spaced apart and extending along an axis. The solid conductor may be a bundle of carbon fibers, which may be pitch-based. The solid conductor may be conformal to the forming surface, for example, having a constant spacing therefrom. The solid conductor may be cast-in to the die during its production.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: S. George Luckey, Jr., Feng Ren, Daniel Quinn Houston
-
Patent number: 10343950Abstract: A glass bubble includes a hollow glass body having an outer surface with a diameter of between about 16 micrometers and about 25 micrometers and a surface roughness of about 0.01% to about 0.1% of that diameter. A low density sheet molding compound incorporating a plurality of glass bubbles and resin is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Haibo Zhao, Daniel Quinn Houston, Rick H. Wykoff
-
Publication number: 20180169730Abstract: Dies for forming components, such as sheet components, and methods of producing the dies are disclosed. The die may include a bulk material and a forming surface. A solid conductor may be formed in the bulk material. The solid conductor may be spaced from and extend adjacent to the forming surface and have a melting point that is greater than a melting point of the bulk material. The solid conductor may be configured to absorb heat from the forming surface. There may multiple solid conductors within the bulk material, for example spaced apart and extending along an axis. The solid conductor may be a bundle of carbon fibers, which may be pitch-based. The solid conductor may be conformal to the forming surface, for example, having a constant spacing therefrom. The solid conductor may be cast-in to the die during its production.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: S. George LUCKEY, JR., Feng REN, Daniel Quinn HOUSTON
-
Publication number: 20180037496Abstract: A glass bubble includes a hollow glass body having an outer surface with a diameter of between about 16 micrometers and about 25 micrometers and a surface roughness of about 0.01% to about 0.1% of that diameter. A low density sheet molding compound incorporating a plurality of glass bubbles and resin is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Haibo Zhao, Daniel Quinn Houston, Rick H. Wykoff
-
Patent number: 9809493Abstract: A method is provided for treating the outer surfaces of a plurality of glass bubbles. That method includes loading a plurality of glass bubbles into a processing vessel having a roughened lining and displacing the processing vessel so that the plurality of glass bubbles move against the roughened lining to thereby roughen the outer surfaces. Alternatively, or in addition, the glass bubbles are subjected to air plasma treatment to increase the surface energy of the glass bubbles.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Haibo Zhao, Daniel Quinn Houston, Rick H. Wykoff
-
Publication number: 20160340236Abstract: A method is provided for treating the outer surfaces of a plurality of glass bubbles. That method includes loading a plurality of glass bubbles into a processing vessel having a roughened lining and displacing the processing vessel so that the plurality of glass bubbles move against the roughened lining to thereby roughen the outer surfaces. Alternatively, or in addition, the glass bubbles are subjected to air plasma treatment to increase the surface energy of the glass bubbles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Haibo Zhao, Daniel Quinn Houston, Rick H. Wykoff
-
Patent number: 9421548Abstract: In at least one or more embodiments, a system for scutching material fibers includes first and second plates defining a first cavity to receive and discharge material fibers, the first plate including a first number teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a first direction, the second plate including a second number of teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a second direction different from the first direction. Teeth as present in the first number and/or the second number of teeth may be spaced apart from each. In certain instances, the material fibers may be carbon fibers.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Haibo Zhao, Ann Marie Straccia, Daniel Quinn Houston
-
Publication number: 20160207282Abstract: An assembly comprising a first composite fiber reinforced part that is joined to a second part by a clinch joint. The first part includes a first layer of resin that is reinforced with fibers and a second layer of resin that is devoid of fibers and applied to one side of the first layer of fiber reinforced resin. The second part contacts the first layer of the first part. The first part and second part are joined by a clinch joint including a pressed out portion that is pressed into a clinching portion. The second layer of resin contains the fibers in the first part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Amanda Kay FREIS, Aindrea McKelvey CAMPBELL, Daniel Quinn HOUSTON
-
Patent number: 9346241Abstract: An assembly comprising a first composite fiber reinforced part that is joined to a second part by a clinch joint. The first part includes a first layer of resin that is reinforced with fibers and a second layer of resin that is devoid of fibers and applied to one side of the first layer of fiber reinforced resin. The second part contacts the first layer of the first part. The first part and second part are joined by a clinch joint including a pressed out portion that is pressed into a clinching portion. The second layer of resin contains the fibers in the first part. An alternative assembly has fiber-free intended clinch joint forming areas that extend through the first part. A method is provided in which a first part including a first layer of resin reinforced with fibers is molded with a second layer of resin on one side of the first layer is joined by a clinch joint to a second part.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Amanda Kay Freis, Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston
-
Publication number: 20150197877Abstract: In at least one or more embodiments, a system for scutching material fibers includes first and second plates defining a first cavity to receive and discharge material fibers, the first plate including a first number teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a first direction, the second plate including a second number of teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a second direction different from the first direction. Teeth as present in the first number and/or the second number of teeth may be spaced apart from each. In certain instances, the material fibers may be carbon fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: HAIBO ZHAO, ANN MARIE STRACCIA, DANIEL QUINN HOUSTON
-
Publication number: 20150197070Abstract: An assembly comprising a first composite fiber reinforced part that is joined to a second part by a clinch joint. The first part includes a first layer of resin that is reinforced with fibers and a second layer of resin that is devoid of fibers and applied to one side of the first layer of fiber reinforced resin. The second part contacts the first layer of the first part. The first part and second part are joined by a clinch joint including a pressed out portion that is pressed into a clinching portion. The second layer of resin contains the fibers in the first part. An alternative assembly has fiber-free intended clinch joint forming areas that extend through the first part. A method is provided in which a first part including a first layer of resin reinforced with fibers is molded with a second layer of resin on one side of the first layer is joined by a clinch joint to a second part.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Amanda Kay Freis, Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston
-
Publication number: 20140242373Abstract: A method of joining parts together with a self-piercing rivet that is inserted through a part and partially through a second part. The second part includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer that together form a composite part. A self-piercing rivet extends into the second part, but does not penetrate completely through the matrix layer. An assembly, including a first part and a second part that includes a reinforced layer and a resin layer in which a fastener is inserted, but does not extend through the second layer. A composite part including a first layer of resin matrix reinforces the filler and a second layer of resin matrix that does not include a filler and is more than 3 microns thick.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston, Amanda Kay Freis
-
Patent number: 8739388Abstract: A method of joining parts together with a self-piercing rivet that is inserted through a part and partially through a second part. The second part includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer that together form a composite part. A self-piercing rivet extends into the second part, but does not penetrate completely through the matrix layer. An assembly, including a first part and a second part that includes a reinforced layer and a resin layer in which a fastener is inserted, but does not extend through the second layer. A composite part including a first layer of resin matrix reinforces the filler and a second layer of resin matrix that does not include a filler and is more than 3 microns thick.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston, Amanda Kay Freis
-
Publication number: 20140127424Abstract: A surface treatment method, machine, and system are disclosed for treating the surface of a substrate by providing a plasma jet generator that directs plasma through a gaseous composition to decompose the gaseous composition into functional groups. A carbon fiber substrate is disclosed that is treated by a plasma jet generator that is directed toward the surface through steam. The plasma jet generator bombards a carbon fiber surface with high energy ions. Carbon-to-carbon chains in the carbon fiber partially break and hydroxide ions are bonded to fractures in the carbon-to-carbon chains. The treatment bonds new hydroxide functional groups to the carbon fiber surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Quinn Houston, Patrick James Blanchard, Haibo Zhao
-
Publication number: 20130273312Abstract: A method of joining parts together with a flow drill screw or with a clinch joint. A first part formed of metal or a composite material is joined to a second part that includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer. The flow drill screw extends through the first part and the second part into the second part. The resin matrix layer prevents fibers from the fiber filled layer from being forced through the back of the second panel. A clinch joint may be formed into the first part and the second part but does not penetrate completely through the resin matrix layer. When the clinch joint is formed, the resin matrix layer inhibits the fiber filled layer from pushing through the second layer of the second panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston, Amanda Kay Freis
-
Publication number: 20130273314Abstract: A method of joining parts together with a self-piercing rivet that is inserted through a part and partially through a second part. The second part includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer that together form a composite part. A self-piercing rivet extends into the second part, but does not penetrate completely through the matrix layer. An assembly, including a first part and a second part that includes a reinforced layer and a resin layer in which a fastener is inserted, but does not extend through the second layer. A composite part including a first layer of resin matrix reinforces the filler and a second layer of resin matrix that does not include a filler and is more than 3 microns thick.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston, Amanda Kay Freis
-
Patent number: 6453752Abstract: A fixture is provided for testing the shear strength of a longitudinal weld which interconnects a plurality of planar blanks forming a tailor welded blank. The fixture includes a first pair of triangular shaped face plates connected to one side of the tailor welded blank and a second pair of triangular shaped face plates connected to the other side of the tailor welded blank. Each of the face plates includes a transverse edge which extends across the longitudinal weld connecting the planar blanks. The fixture further includes each of the transverse edges having a first portion and a second portion spaced from and parallel to the first portion. The fixture also includes an isolation portion interconnecting the first and second portions of the transverse edges adjacent the longitudinal weld for isolating a portion of the weld whereby the isolated portion of the weld is tested for shear resistance by applying a tensile load to the first and second pair of face plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Quinn Houston, Peter A. Friedman, William Steven Stewart
-
Patent number: 5765845Abstract: A method of eliminating scrubbing noise between metal to metal (or metal to ceramic) contact members that experience articulating swiveling interengagement at high force levels in excess of 5,000 psi. The method comprises: (a) preparing the interface to present at least one fresh mechanically adherable stiff surface; (b) thermally spraying a top coating thereonto consisting of at least one of (i) a self-lubricating metal, ceramic material or metal alloy, and (ii) a compliant metal; and (c) placing the coating interface into service to subject it to repeating articulating swiveling contact that functions to microweld the coating to the surface under normal operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Dawda, Daniel Quinn Houston, Armando Matthew Joaquin, Carl Frederick Johnson, Matthew John Zaluzec
-
Patent number: 5674603Abstract: A molded article comprising a molded body and one or more layers of heat shielding material attached to the molded body and a method of making same. The heat shielding material is placed on localized areas of the molded article which are exposed to elevated temperatures. The molded article may be a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) which comprises a fibrous material containing a resin or alternatively, the molded article may be a thermoplastic material with or without reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ernest Dale Stiles, Ronald Kenneth Wlosinski, Daniel Quinn Houston