Patents by Inventor Kurt M. Zimmerman

Kurt M. Zimmerman 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).

  • Weld verification system and method
    Patent number: 8091423
    Abstract: An inspection method and system that locates a probe proximate a region of a shaft that is welded to a slug that secures the shaft to a housing. An acoustical wavefront may be emitted from the probe into the shaft toward the slug, and a reflection of the acoustical wavefront may be received with the probe. Whether the reflection occurred at an interface between the shaft and the slug or at a distal end of the slug is determined based on a time that the reflection is received by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Zimmerman, Gregory L. Bolis
  • WELD VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20090255341
    Abstract: An inspection method and system that locates a probe proximate a region of a shaft that is welded to a slug that secures the shaft to a housing. An acoustical wavefront may be emitted from the probe into the shaft toward the slug, and a reflection of the acoustical wavefront may be received with the probe. Whether the reflection occurred at an interface between the shaft and the slug or at a distal end of the slug is determined based on a time that the reflection is received by the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt M. Zimmerman, Gregory L. Bolis