Patents by Inventor Kendall R. Powell

Kendall R. Powell 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).

  • Publication number: 20170014901
    Abstract: A wear part includes a body and a cladding layer. The body includes an outer surface. The body is made from a base material. The cladding layer is connected to the outer surface of the body. The cladding layer is constructed with the body via additive manufacturing. The cladding layer is made from a surfacing material which is harder than the base material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Kendall R. Powell
  • Patent number: 9545693
    Abstract: A consumable insert for welding a first component to a second component is provided. The first component is positioned with respect to the second component in such a manner that a gap is defined between adjacent surfaces thereof. The consumable insert includes a body having a profile. The profile of the body matches a scan of a profile of the gap between the adjacent surfaces. The consumable insert also includes a dam portion having a profile. The profile of the dam portion matches, at least in part, a scan of corresponding surfaces of the first component and the second component respectively. The dam portion is provided in contact with at least one end of the body. The dam portion is configured to control an overflow of a weld puddle therefrom. The body and the dam portion are formed using three dimensional printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Leon R. Adcock, Kendall R. Powell, Donald A. Stickel, III, Howard W. Ludewig
  • Publication number: 20160354873
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a backing member in an enclosed structure is disclosed. The enclosed structure includes a first plate defining an opening therethrough. The apparatus is configured to be disposed within the enclosed structure. The apparatus includes a clamp member and a support member configured to rotatably support the clamp member. The clamp member is rotatable about a rotation axis defined by the support member. The support member is further configured to abut a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The clamp member is configured to be moved along the rotation axis relative to the support member and bias the backing member to contact with the first plate along the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Danny L. McCaherty, Yan Shao, Kendall R. Powell, David R. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20160167179
    Abstract: A welded assembly includes a first metal component, a second metal component, and a welded butt joint connecting the first metal component and the second metal component. The welded assembly further includes a retaining bracket, and a backing member held by the retaining bracket and positioned adjacent to the welded butt joint. The retaining bracket includes an attachment leg secured to the first metal component, and a support leg holding the backing member. The support leg urges the backing member toward the welded butt joint, and has a free distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Kendall R. Powell
  • Publication number: 20160096241
    Abstract: A consumable insert for welding a first component to a second component is provided. The first component is positioned with respect to the second component in such a manner that a gap is defined between adjacent surfaces thereof. The consumable insert includes a body having a profile. The profile of the body matches a scan of a profile of the gap between the adjacent surfaces. The consumable insert also includes a dam portion having a profile. The profile of the dam portion matches, at least in part, a scan of corresponding surfaces of the first component and the second component respectively. The dam portion is provided in contact with at least one end of the body. The dam portion is configured to control an overflow of a weld puddle therefrom. The body and the dam portion are formed using three dimensional printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Leon R. Adcock, Kendall R. Powell, Donald A. Stickel, III, Howard W. Ludewig