Patents by Inventor Edward W. Bennett

Edward W. Bennett 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: 7204110
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing metallic buildup from forming surfaces of metal forming dies while the dies are in a press and operating at elevated temperatures. The cleaning apparatus includes a programmable positioner having a robotic arm with an end effector carrying a brush assembly. The brush assembly includes a rotary drive motor rotatably carrying a metallic wire brush. The brush has a plurality of radially extending plain carbon steel bristles having tips adapted for removing metallic buildup from the forming surfaces of dies. The positioner operates to move the rotatable wire brush in a predetermined path that engages the brush with the forming surfaces of the dies for sweeping and cleaning metallic buildup from the forming surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Hammar, Gary A. Kruger, James G. Schroth, Edward W. Bennett, Curtis L. Shinabarker
  • Patent number: 7159427
    Abstract: Apparatus for hot gas blow-forming including opposed heated and insulated tool containers, each including a tool heater plate that is adapted for attachment to a platen of a press with one or more load bearing spacers interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen. Each tool container also includes an insulation enclosure having a base portion that is interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen and further having perimeter wall portion that surrounds the tool heater plate. A perimeter seal is preferably attached to at least one of the heated and insulated tool containers and is adapted for sealing engagement with the other of the heated and insulated tool containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Schroth, Richard Murray Kleber, Richard Harry Hammar, Edward W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7021099
    Abstract: The distortion-free removal of a heat softened sheet metal part from a heated forming surface is enabled by the elevation of lift pads in the forming surface. Strategically located and sized pads are recessed in the forming surface of the hot forming tool and the pads are part of the forming surface. At the completion of the stretch forming, or other hot forming, of a sheet metal blank on the forming surface, the pads are lifted in unison, without rotating them, on lift posts by a suitable lift mechanism to carefully and uniformly strip the flexible part from the hot forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Bennett, Leonard L. Pollum, Gary A. Kruger
  • Patent number: 6837088
    Abstract: A flask and tool assembly includes a forming tool insert that is housed within an insulated flask having four vertical sides. An insulation enclosure surrounds the flask and the flask contains a heater plate for contacting the bottom of the forming tool insert. The tops of the sides of the flask provide surfaces for gripping bottom edges of a sheet metal blank to be formed. A cover for the tool-containing flask provides complementary gripping surfaces for top edges of the sheet metal blank and defines a chamber above the sheet metal blank for pressurized forming gas. A peripheral seal underlies the sheet metal blank and bridges a space between the outer side surfaces of the forming tool insert and the inner surfaces of the sides of the flask, thereby obviating the need to provide a precision fit between the flask and forming tool insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Murray Kleber, Edward W. Bennett, Richard Harry Hammar
  • Publication number: 20040250585
    Abstract: The distortion-free removal of a heat softened sheet metal part from a heated forming surface is enabled by the elevation of lift pads in the forming surface. Strategically located and sized pads are recessed in the forming surface of the hot forming tool and the pads are part of the forming surface. At the completion of the stretch forming, or other hot forming, of a sheet metal blank on the forming surface, the pads are lifted in unison, without rotating them, on lift posts by a suitable lift mechanism to carefully and uniformly strip the flexible part from the hot forming surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Edward W. Bennett, Leonard L. Pollum, Gary A. Kruger