Patents by Inventor Grady Gipson

Grady Gipson 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: 8513561
    Abstract: A weld gun system for detecting the orientation of a weld nut relative to the metallic component to which it is to be welded prior to welding is disclosed. The system includes a lower electrode having a weld location pin, an upper electrode having a central circular recess formed therein, a fluid supply fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode, and a pressure switch also fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode. Once the weld nut is captured between the electrodes the fluid flows from the fluid supply into the central circular recess of the upper electrode. If the weld nut is in proper orientation the fluid continues to flow to the pressure switch and the weld occurs. If the weld nut is not in proper orientation the fluid does not flow to the pressure switch but is instead vented from the central circular recess and the weld does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Kuechenmeister, Grady Gipson
  • Publication number: 20130092435
    Abstract: An electrode assembly with a cooling passageway for improving electrode life expectancy and better weld quality. The electrode assembly includes an electrode body, and an electrode cap detachably coupled to the electrode body. A cooling passageway passes through the electrode assembly for carrying a cooling agent. The cooling agent enters the cooling passageway through an inlet port, removes the welding heat energy from the electrode assembly, and exits the cooling passageway through an outlet port. Further, an elastomeric seal, between a mating surface of the electrode body and the electrode cap, seals the electrode cap to the electrode body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Spencer, Randall J. Fugaj, George C. Denton, Joseph M. Kuechenmeister, Grady A. Gipson
  • Publication number: 20100288737
    Abstract: A weld gun system for detecting the orientation of a weld nut relative to the metallic component to which it is to be welded prior to welding is disclosed. The system includes a lower electrode having a weld location pin, an upper electrode having a central circular recess formed therein, a fluid supply fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode, and a pressure switch also fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode. Once the weld nut is captured between the electrodes the fluid flows from the fluid supply into the central circular recess of the upper electrode. If the weld nut is in proper orientation the fluid continues to flow to the pressure switch and the weld occurs. If the weld nut is not in proper orientation the fluid does not flow to the pressure switch but is instead vented from the central circular recess and the weld does not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Kuechenmeister, Grady Gipson