Patents by Inventor Ian E. Kibblewhite
Ian E. Kibblewhite 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).
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Patent number: 10088378Abstract: Low cost transducer bonding tooling and techniques are provided which can be used to duplicate the quality of factory manufactured load indicating members, and to allow transducers to be attached to fasteners irrespective of their orientation. The bonding tooling and techniques can also be used to bond other small objects requiring precise placement and reliable bonding such as, for example, the bonding of identification labels to manufactured components or structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Publication number: 20170023425Abstract: Low cost transducer bonding tooling and techniques are provided which can be used to duplicate the quality of factory manufactured load indicating members, and to allow transducers to be attached to fasteners irrespective of their orientation. The bonding tooling and techniques can also be used to bond other small objects requiring precise placement and reliable bonding such as, for example, the bonding of identification labels to manufactured components or structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Ian E. KIBBLEWHITE
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Patent number: 9339926Abstract: Complex assembly procedures for joining components with plural fasteners are accomplished using predefined procedures for performing a multi-step assembly of a joint using a dynamically controllable assembly tool, or to inspect an assembled joint. An assembly tool is coupled with an electronically controlled regulator for reducing the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for an impact or impulse tool, so the tool can be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. The predefined procedures for performing the desired tightening operation are established in a controller coupled with the electronically controlled regulator, for dynamically controlling the assembly tool. The system can be used to assemble joints involving multiple fasteners and which are subject to elastic interaction between the fasteners, rocking, or joint relaxation, and in assembly or inspection operations in which an operator is to be guided through a particular sequence of instructions.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Publication number: 20130047408Abstract: Complex assembly procedures for joining components with plural fasteners are accomplished using predefined procedures for performing a multi-step assembly of a joint using a dynamically controllable assembly tool, or to inspect an assembled joint. An assembly tool is coupled with an electronically controlled regulator for reducing the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for an impact or impulse tool, so the tool can be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. The predefined procedures for performing the desired tightening operation are established in a controller coupled with the electronically controlled regulator, for dynamically controlling the assembly tool. The system can be used to assemble joints involving multiple fasteners and which are subject to elastic interaction between the fasteners, rocking, or joint relaxation, and in assembly or inspection operations in which an operator is to be guided through a particular sequence of instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Patent number: 8037772Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer (14) is mated with a thread-forming fastener (12) to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener (10) that can be used for precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Patent number: 8033181Abstract: A system is provided for both reading an optical identification mark, such as a bar code, on a fastener and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener using a single probe for use during fastener installation with assembly tools and for the inspection of load in preinstalled fasteners. The probe includes both a fiber optic imaging cable and at least one electrical conductor. The fiber optic imaging cable is optically coupled to an imaging device such as a bar code reader allowing the bar code reader to be located remote from the fastener. The electrical conductor provides an electrical connection from the ultrasonic transducer on the fastener to load measurement instrumentation. The probe is further capable of providing illumination of the bar code to facilitate reading of the bar code.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Donald E. Kotas
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Patent number: 8028585Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Patent number: 7946179Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Patent number: 7823458Abstract: Pneumatic tightening tools can be used for high speed assembly of critical bolts to precise loads by dynamically controlling the output power of the pneumatic tool during a tightening cycle using an electronically controlled air pressure regulator to reduce the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for impact or impulse tools, to enable the tool to be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. For prevailing torque fasteners, the output power of the pneumatic tool is dynamically controlled to minimize the speed of rotation during rundown, to minimize the heating effects associated with such torque fasteners, and to then increase the power from the tool, as required, to provide the torque to reach the specified stopping load or torque. The maximum air pressure supplied to the pneumatic tool can be limited, depending on the expected torque required to tighten the fastener to the specified load or torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Donald E. Kotas
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Publication number: 20100154183Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Publication number: 20100126279Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Patent number: 7650792Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Patent number: 7644627Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Publication number: 20090173161Abstract: A system is provided for both reading an optical identification mark, such as a bar code, on a fastener and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener using a single probe for use during fastener installation with assembly tools and for the inspection of load in preinstalled fasteners. The probe includes both a fiber optic imaging cable and at least one electrical conductor. The fiber optic imaging cable is optically coupled to an imaging device such as a bar code reader allowing the bar code reader to be located remote from the fastener. The electrical conductor provides an electrical connection from the ultrasonic transducer on the fastener to load measurement instrumentation. The probe is further capable of providing illumination of the bar code to facilitate reading of the bar code.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2007Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Donald E. Kotas
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Publication number: 20090055028Abstract: Pneumatic tightening tools can be used for high speed assembly of critical bolts to precise loads by dynamically controlling the output power of the pneumatic tool during a tightening cycle using an electronically controlled air pressure regulator to reduce the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for impact or impulse tools, to enable the tool to be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. For prevailing torque fasteners, the output power of the pneumatic tool is dynamically controlled to minimize the speed of rotation during rundown, to minimize the heating effects associated with such torque fasteners, and to then increase the power from the tool, as required, to provide the torque to reach the specified stopping load or torque. The maximum air pressure supplied to the pneumatic tool can be limited, depending on the expected torque required to tighten the fastener to the specified load or torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Donald E. Kotas
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Publication number: 20090038401Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Publication number: 20090038402Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Patent number: 7467556Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Robert Molsbergen
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Patent number: 7441462Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
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Patent number: 6990866Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with a permanent identifying mark which can be read and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLCInventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite