Patents by Inventor I. Stuart Smith

I. Stuart Smith 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).

  • Vibratory interference sensor
    Patent number: 4816727
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for inserting pins in holes wherein either the pin or the hole is chamfered or beveled. One part is vibrated with respect to the other in a plane orthogonal to the direction of insertion. One part is incrementarlly moved in the direction of insertion. When interference caused by the contact is sensed, the magnitude of the interference is determined and used to reposition the center-line of the one part in the orthogonal plane until the pin is fully inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: University of Lowell
    Inventors: G. Dudley Shepard, I. Stuart Smith, Stephen R. Christensen, Xiaochuan R. Lu
  • Vibratory interference sensor
    Patent number: 4804896
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for inserting pins in holes wherein either the pin or the hole is chamfered or beveled. One part is vibrated with respect to the other in a plane orthogonal to the direction of insertion. One part is incrementally moved in the direction of insertion. When interference caused by the contact is sensed, the magnitude of the interference is determined and used to reposition the center-line of the one part in the orthogonal plane until the pin is fully inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: University of Lowell
    Inventors: G. Dudley Shepard, I. Stuart Smith, Stephen R. Christensen, Richard Lu