Patents by Inventor Don Azzopardi

Don Azzopardi 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: 10413977
    Abstract: A cryogenically cooled boring tool design reduces the effect of cryogen coolant on a workpiece caused by coolant leakage and coolant exhaust. A tool body has a cartridge for holding a cutting tool insert and a coolant supply path through the tool body and the cartridge for supplying cryogenic coolant to the tool insert. A feed transfer tube connects the coolant supply path in the tool body to the coolant supply path in the cartridge. Insulating tubes line portions of the coolant supply paths in the tool body and the cartridge. The shrinkage rates of the feed transfer tube and the insulating tubes cause the press fit of the insulating tubes to tighten the seal between the insulating tubes and the feed transfer tube when cryogenic coolant flows through the supply path. The exhaust ports on the tool for boiled-off cryogen remains outside of a workpiece bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: 5ME IP, LLC
    Inventors: George Georgiou, Don Azzopardi
  • Publication number: 20180345387
    Abstract: A cryogenically cooled boring tool design reduces the effect of cryogen coolant on a workpiece caused by coolant leakage and coolant exhaust. A tool body has a cartridge for holding a cutting tool insert and a coolant supply path through the tool body and the cartridge for supplying cryogenic coolant to the tool insert. A feed transfer tube connects the coolant supply path in the tool body to the coolant supply path in the cartridge. Insulating tubes line portions of the coolant supply paths in the tool body and the cartridge. The shrinkage rates of the feed transfer tube and the insulating tubes cause the press fit of the insulating tubes to tighten the seal between the insulating tubes and the feed transfer tube when cryogenic coolant flows through the supply path. The exhaust ports on the tool for boiled-off cryogen remains outside of a workpiece bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: George Georgiou, Don Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 7815403
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a material removal tool has a housing at a mating end, an extension longitudinally extending from the housing to a distal end, a plurality of spacers arranged along the extension, and a nut at the distal end of the extension, wherein the plurality of spacers are formed from a material having a Young's modulus of greater than about 1.5 times that of steel. The spacers along the extension of the tool place the stiffer material of the spacer at a location of greatest resistance to bending moments (i.e. highest sectional modulus). Optionally preloading and “built-in” relief points contribute to improved performance of the material removal tool. A method of manufacturing a material removal tool and a method of machining a workpiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Valenite LLC
    Inventors: Brian Hoefler, Don Azzopardi
  • Publication number: 20080226401
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a material removal tool has a housing at a mating end, an extension longitudinally extending from the housing to a distal end, a plurality of spacers arranged along the extension, and a nut at the distal end of the extension, wherein the plurality of spacers are formed from a material having a Young's modulus of greater than about 1.5 times that of steel. The spacers along the extension of the tool place the stiffer material of the spacer at a location of greatest resistance to bending moments (i.e. highest sectional modulus). Optionally preloading and “built-in” relief points contribute to improved performance of the material removal tool. A method of manufacturing a material removal tool and a method of machining a workpiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Hoefler, Don Azzopardi