Patents by Inventor Jack Mansfield Thompson

Jack Mansfield Thompson 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).

  • Friction stir welding machine
    Patent number: 6742696
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine includes a table for supporting parts to be welded and a frame extending over the table. A first drive is supported by a first element of the frame and is operatively connected to a spindle having a tool. The first drive moves the tool in a first direction, and the first drive disengages from the spindle after the tool contacts the material. A second drive is supported by a second element of the frame and is operatively connected to the spindle for moving the tool into the parts at a joint, thereby initiating friction stir welding process. The friction stir welding machine has a pair of rollers mounted in a roller support with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool. The rollers contact a surface of the material in response to the tool penetrating the material to a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: General Tool Company
    Inventor: Jack Mansfield Thompson
  • Friction stir welding machine and method
    Publication number: 20030209586
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine includes a table for supporting parts to be welded and a frame extending over the table. A first drive is supported by a first element of the frame and is operatively connected to a spindle having a tool. The first drive moves the tool in a first direction, and the first drive disengages from the spindle after the tool contacts the material. A second drive is supported by a second element of the frame and is operatively connected to the spindle for moving the tool into the parts at a joint, thereby initiating friction stir welding process. The friction stir welding machine has a pair of rollers mounted in a roller support with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool. The rollers contact a surface of the material in response to the tool penetrating the material to a desired depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: General Tool Company
    Inventor: Jack Mansfield Thompson
  • Friction stir welding machine and method
    Patent number: 6554175
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine includes a table for supporting parts to be welded and a frame extending over the table. A first drive is supported by a first element of the frame and is operatively connected to a spindle having a tool. The first drive moves the tool in a first direction, and the first drive disengages from the spindle after the tool contacts the material. A second drive is supported by a second element of the frame and is operatively connected to the spindle for moving the tool into the parts at a joint, thereby initiating friction stir welding process. The friction stir welding machine has a pair of rollers mounted in a roller support with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool. The rollers contact a surface of the material in response to the tool penetrating the material to a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Tool Company
    Inventor: Jack Mansfield Thompson
  • Friction stir welding machine and method
    Patent number: 6302315
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine includes a table for supporting parts to be welded and a frame extending over the table. A first drive is supported by a first element of the frame and is operatively connected to a spindle having a tool. The first drive moves the tool in a first direction, and the first drive disengages from the spindle after the tool contacts the material. A second drive is supported by a second element of the frame and is operatively connected to the spindle for moving the tool into the parts at a joint, thereby initiating friction stir welding process. The friction stir welding machine has a pair of rollers mounted in a roller support with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool. The rollers contact a surface of the material in response to the tool penetrating the material to a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Tool Company
    Inventor: Jack Mansfield Thompson