Patents by Inventor Gregory D. Folks

Gregory D. Folks 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: 10386801
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool using an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool stored in memory accessible by a processor operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition apparatus, and a material removal apparatus. The processor generates a deposition path for the direct metal deposition apparatus is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated according to the generated deposition path to deposit metal material on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially form the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim
  • Patent number: 9890595
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool includes entering an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool in a computer system including memory and a processor, the computer system operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition tool, and a material removal tool. The processor generates a tool path for the direct metal deposition tool. The tool path is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated along the tool path to deposit metal on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially form the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim
  • Publication number: 20170037686
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool includes entering an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool in a computer system including memory and a processor, the computer system operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition tool, and a material removal tool. The processor generates a tool path for the direct metal deposition tool. The tool path is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated along the tool path to deposit metal on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially fonn the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim
  • Publication number: 20170037518
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool using an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool stored in memory accessible by a processor operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition apparatus, and a material removal apparatus. The processor generates a deposition path for the direct metal deposition apparatus is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated according to the generated deposition path to deposit metal material on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially form the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim