Patents by Inventor David R Griffiths

David R Griffiths 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: 11253956
    Abstract: A structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, Christopher Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 10981253
    Abstract: A structural member is disclosed. The structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, April J. Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20200230749
    Abstract: A structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, Christopher Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 10688600
    Abstract: A structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, Christopher Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20180304413
    Abstract: A structural member is disclosed. The structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, April J. Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20180161941
    Abstract: A structural member is disclosed. The structural member includes a body having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface at an end portion of the structural member. The end portion of the structural member includes a root protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the structural member along a root protrusion radius to an outer end of the root protrusion to define a root protrusion height extending from the second surface of the structural member to the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion further includes a root protrusion width extending between an inner edge and an outer edge of the outer end of the root protrusion. The root protrusion radius, the root protrusion height, and the root protrusion width are configured to define a stress protected weld root region isolated beyond and away from a root stress flow path propagated through the body of the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffith, Michael Noble, William Ulrich, Christopher Lu, Ling Pan, Huijun Wang, Donald Stickel, Keith Egland, Jeremy R. Hammar, Seth Johnson, Timothy W. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20180021890
    Abstract: A method and system for forming a weld joint using additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method and system involve providing a non-additive manufactured metal structure that includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The method and system further involve increasing an effective sectional area of the first end portion by additive manufacturing a metallic geometric structure substantially permanently on the first end portion of the non-additive manufactured metal structure, without creating any fatigue-sensitive notches. One or more free edges of the additive manufactured metallic geometric structure form a weld interface at which to form the weld joint to fix the non-additive manufactured metal structure to another metal or metallic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. GRIFFITH, Nathan J. Parsons, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Julian LOWERSON, Leon R. ADCOCK, Michael H. NOBLE
  • Publication number: 20160354873
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a backing member in an enclosed structure is disclosed. The enclosed structure includes a first plate defining an opening therethrough. The apparatus is configured to be disposed within the enclosed structure. The apparatus includes a clamp member and a support member configured to rotatably support the clamp member. The clamp member is rotatable about a rotation axis defined by the support member. The support member is further configured to abut a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The clamp member is configured to be moved along the rotation axis relative to the support member and bias the backing member to contact with the first plate along the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Danny L. McCaherty, Yan Shao, Kendall R. Powell, David R. Griffith
  • Patent number: 7310613
    Abstract: A system comprises an input for product selection data; a marketplace product store for storing marketplace product definitions; a product selection store for storing data defining a selection of one or more products from the marketplace product store; an enterprise capability store for storing data defining capability of an enterprise in relation to supply of one or more products; and a product fulfillment data store for storing one or more product descriptions. At least one link is generated between each product description in the product fulfillment data store to data stored in the enterprise capability store, and at least one link is generated between each product description in the product fulfillment data store to data stored in the product selection store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: British Telecommunications Public Limited Company, AT&T Corporation
    Inventors: John V Briel, William R Brook, Stephen I Daleman, John D Gabbe, Kenneth A Lang, John A Wojciechowski, Jr., Paul Muschamp, Lindsay A Campbell, David R Griffiths, Brian R Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Jonathan Legh-Smith, Vineet Mittal
  • Publication number: 20030110073
    Abstract: A data management system, for use in receiving and processing data in relation to one or more products, and recording fulfilment in respect of a generated product description, the system comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: John V Briel, William R Brook, Stephen I Daleman, John D Gabbe, Kenneth A Lang, John A Wojciechowski Jr, Paul Muschamp, Lindsay A Campbell, David R Griffiths, Brian R Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Jonathan Legh-Smith, Vineet Mittal
  • Patent number: 6092390
    Abstract: A compressor oil recovery device for use in removing oil from compressors typically found on condensing units used in air conditioning or refrigeration applications is disclosed. The device consists of a canister with a lid that contains a vacuum port, a suction port, a drain port, and a vacuum release port. A vacuum hose is connected at one end to the vacuum port and at the other end to an electric vacuum pump. A suction hose is connected at one end to the suction port and at the other end to the gauge manifold of a compressor. Upon activating the vacuum pump, a vacuum is created that draws the compressor oil into the canister where it is collected for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: David R. Griffith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5634716
    Abstract: A portable PVC resin blending system mounted in a semi-monocoque steel silo having multiple levels therein. The various components of the blending system are mounted within and attached to the silo and lifting lugs on the silo capable of lifting and tilting the silo from a vertical to a horizontal position for transportation and re-erection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Coronado Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Westall, Thomas Nowak, David R. Griffith, Earl L. Maltbie, Curtis L. Crandall