Patents by Inventor Lloyd Hackel
Lloyd Hackel 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: 11584969Abstract: Metal components subject to wear or contact fatigue in a first area, and subject to bending, axial and/or torsional stress loading in a second area comprise a surface hardened, first surface layer in the first area, and a surface compressive-stress treated, second surface layer in the second area. The second surface layer has a material hardness different from, and typically lower than, the first surface layer, and induced residual compressive stress to improve fatigue strength. Example components described include a gear, a cog, a pinion, a rack, a splined shaft, a splined coupling, a torqueing tool and a nut driving tool. A hybrid manufacturing process is described, including area-selective surface hardening combined with a process to add compressive stress to fatigue failure prone areas.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, LLCInventor: Lloyd A. Hackel
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Publication number: 20200208233Abstract: Metal components subject to wear or contact fatigue in a first area, and subject to bending, axial and/or torsional stress loading in a second area comprise a surface hardened, first surface layer in the first area, and a surface compressive-stress treated, second surface layer in the second area. The second surface layer has a material hardness different from, and typically lower than, the first surface layer, and induced residual compressive stress to improve fatigue strength. Example components described include a gear, a cog, a pinion, a rack, a splined shaft, a splined coupling, a torqueing tool and a nut driving tool. A hybrid manufacturing process is described, including area-selective surface hardening combined with a process to add compressive stress to fatigue failure prone areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, LLCInventor: LLOYD A. HACKEL
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Patent number: 10619222Abstract: Metal components subject to wear or contact fatigue in a first area, and subject to bending, axial and/or torsional stress loading in a second area comprise a surface hardened, first surface layer in the first area; and a surface compressive-stress treated, second surface layer in the second area. The second surface layer has a material hardness different from, and typically lower than the first surface layer, and induced residual compressive stress to improve fatigue strength. Example components described include a gear, a cog, a pinion, a rack, a splined shaft, a splined coupling, a torquing tool and a nut driving tool. A hybrid manufacturing process is described, including area-selective surface hardening combined with a process to add compressive stress to fatigue failure prone areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, LLCInventor: Lloyd A. Hackel
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Publication number: 20160298203Abstract: Metal components subject to wear or contact fatigue in a first area, and subject to bending, axial and/or torsional stress loading in a second area comprise a surface hardened, first surface layer in the first area; and a surface compressive-stress treated, second surface layer in the second area. The second surface layer has a material hardness different from, and typically lower than the first surface layer, and induced residual compressive stress to improve fatigue strength. Example components described include a gear, a cog, a pinion, a rack, a splined shaft, a splined coupling, a torqueing tool and a nut driving tool. A hybrid manufacturing process is described, including area-selective surface hardening combined with a process to add compressive stress to fatigue failure prone areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, LLCInventor: LLOYD A. HACKEL
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Patent number: 9409254Abstract: A hybrid ablation layer that comprises a separate under layer is applied to a material to prevent pitting resulting from laser peening. The underlayer adheres to the surface of the workpiece to be peened and does not have bubbles and voids that exceed an acceptable size. One or more overlayers are placed over and in contact with the underlayer. Any bubbles formed under the over layers are insulated from the surface to be peened. The process significantly reduces the incidence of pits on peened surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Lloyd A. Hackel
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Patent number: 9192056Abstract: A technique for bonding two dissimilar materials includes positioning a second material over a first material at an oblique angle and applying a tamping layer over the second martial. A laser beam is directed at the second material that generates a plasma at the location of impact on the second material. The plasma generates pressure that accelerates a portion of the second material to a very high velocity and towards the first material. The second material impacts the first material causing bonding of the two materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Alexander M. Rubenchik, Joseph C. Farmer, Lloyd Hackel, Jon Rankin
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Patent number: 8608590Abstract: A method of manufacturing a driver, or other types of golf club, includes inducing residual compressive stress by high intensity laser shock peening to form an array of laser shock peened impact zones on the club face. Laser pulses having irradiance greater than 4 GW/cm2, with spot size greater than 4 mm2 are used, including a pulse with on the order of 16 ns, with spot size greater than 9 mm2. Residual compressive stress of more than 400 MPa penetrating with a depth of more than 0.2 mm are imparted, without increased hardening in or damage to the face of the club. Laser shock peening a pattern that covers an interior area leaves the perimeter unpeened, inducing a stress gradient between interior area and the perimeter of the club face. Multiple layers of arrays of laser shock impact zones are applied on the club. The technology is readily applied to assembled club heads.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Metal Improvement Company, LLCInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Jon Rankin, Chanh H. Truong, C. Brent Dane, Fritz B. Harris, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130064993Abstract: A technique for bonding two dissimilar materials includes positioning a second material over a first material at an oblique angle and applying a tamping layer over the second martial. A laser beam is directed at the second material that generates a plasma at the location of impact on the second material. The plasma generates pressure that accelerates a portion of the second material to a very high velocity and towards the first material. The second material impacts the first material causing bonding of the two materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLCInventors: Alexander M. Rubenchik, Joseph C. Farmer, Lloyd Hackel, Jon Rankin
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Patent number: 8339580Abstract: A countermeasure system for use by a target to protect against an incoming sensor-guided threat. The system includes a laser system for producing a broadband beam and means for directing the broadband beam from the target to the threat. The countermeasure system comprises the steps of producing a broadband beam and directing the broad band beam from the target to blind or confuse the incoming sensor-guided threat.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Brent C. Stuart, Lloyd A. Hackel, Mark R. Hermann, James P. Armstrong
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Patent number: 8207474Abstract: A method of operating a laser to obtain an output pulse having a single wavelength, comprises inducing an intracavity loss into a laser resonator having an amount that prevents oscillation during a time that energy from the pump source is being stored in the gain medium. Gain is built up in the gain medium with energy from the pump source until formation of a single-frequency relaxation oscillation pulse in the resonator. Upon detection of the onset of the relaxation oscillation pulse, the intracavity loss is reduced, such as by Q-switching, so that the built-up gain stored in the gain medium is output from the resonator in the form of an output pulse at a single frequency. An electronically controllable output coupler is controlled to affect output pulse characteristics. The laser acts a master oscillator in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration. The laser is used for laser peening.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignees: Metal Improvement Company, LLC, Regents of the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: C. Brent Dane, Lloyd A. Hackel, Fritz B. Harris
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Patent number: 8009283Abstract: Wavefront control techniques are provided for the alignment and performance optimization of optical devices. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used to measure the wavefront distortion and a control system generates feedback error signal to optics inside the device to correct the wavefront. The system can be calibrated with a low-average-power probe laser. An optical element is provided to couple the optical device to a diagnostic/control package in a way that optimizes both the output power of the optical device and the coupling of the probe light into the diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Kai N LaFortune, Randall Hurd, Scott N Fochs, Mark D Rotter, Lloyd Hackel
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Patent number: 7960671Abstract: A method for laser shock processing a device, including a metallic body having a surface, comprises conformally applying a compliant solid material to the first region on the surface of the metallic body and applying a layer of ablative material to the second region on the surface of the metallic body. A damping liquid is flowed over the layer of ablative material. An array of pulses of laser energy is directed through the damping fluid to impact the layer of ablative material on the surface and peen the surface in the second region. The pulses induce pressure waves within the metallic body which propagate to the surface in the first region. The compliant solid material acts as a momentum trap, so that the acoustic waves are at least partially coupled into the compliant solid material and attenuated outside of the metallic body.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Metal Improvement Company LLCInventors: C. Brent Dane, Lloyd Hackel, Fritz B. Harris, Chanh H. Truong, James D. Wintemute
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Publication number: 20110045922Abstract: A method of manufacturing a driver, or other types of golf club, includes inducing residual compressive stress by high intensity laser shock peening to form an array of laser shock peened impact zones on the club face. Laser pulses having fluence greater than 4 GW/cm2, with spot size greater than 4 mm are used, including a pulse with on the order of 16 ns, with spot size greater than 9 mm2. Residual compressive stress of more than 400 MPa penetrating with a depth of more than 0.2 mm are imparted, without increased hardening in or damage to the face of the club. Laser shock peening a pattern that covers an interior area leaves the perimeter unpeened, inducing a stress gradient between interior area and the perimeter of the club face. Multiple layers of arrays of laser shock impact zones are applied on the club. The technology is readily applied to assembled club heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, LLCInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Jon Rankin, Chanh H. Truong, C. Brent Dane, Fritz B. Harris, JR.
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Patent number: 7894496Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and/or parasitic oscillation modes in a laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing material arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE, parasitic oscillation modes and/or residual pump energy can be effectively suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Thomas F. Soules, Scott N. Fochs, Mark D. Rotter, Stephan A. Letts
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Patent number: 7723643Abstract: A laser peening process for the densification of metal surfaces and sub-layers and for changing surface chemical activities provides retardation of the up-take and penetration of atoms and molecules, particularly Hydrogen, which improves the lifetime of such laser peened metals. Penetration of hydrogen into metals initiates an embrittlement that leaves the material susceptible to cracking.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, University of CaliforniaInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Tania M. Zaleski, Hao-Lin Chen, Michael R. Hill, Kevin K. Liu
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Publication number: 20100097602Abstract: Wavefront control techniques are provided for the alignment and performance optimization of optical devices. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used to measure the wavefront distortion and a control system generates feedback error signal to optics inside the device to correct the wavefront. The system can be calibrated with a low-average-power probe laser. An optical element is provided to couple the optical device to a diagnostic/control package in a way that optimizes both the output power of the optical device and the coupling of the probe light into the diagnostics.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Kai N. LaFortune, Randall Hurd, Scott N. Fochs, Mark D. Rotter, Lloyd Hackel
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Publication number: 20090294424Abstract: A method of operating a laser to obtain an output pulse having a single wavelength, comprises inducing an intracavity loss into a laser resonator having an amount that prevents oscillation during a time that energy from the pump source is being stored in the gain medium. Gain is built up in the gain medium with energy from the pump source until formation of a single-frequency relaxation oscillation pulse in the resonator. Upon detection of the onset of the relaxation oscillation pulse, the intracavity loss is reduced, such as by Q-switching, so that the built-up gain stored in the gain medium is output from the resonator in the form of an output pulse at a single frequency. An electronically controllable output coupler is controlled to affect output pulse characteristics. The laser acts a master oscillator in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration. The laser is used for laser peening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Metal Improvement Company, LLCInventors: C. Brent Dane, Lloyd Hackel, Fritz Harris
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Patent number: 7573001Abstract: A method of operating a laser to obtain an output pulse having a single wavelength, comprises inducing an intracavity loss into a laser resonator having an amount that prevents oscillation during a time that energy from the pump source is being stored in the gain medium. Gain is built up in the gain medium with energy from the pump source until formation of a single-frequency relaxation oscillation pulse in the resonator. Upon detection of the onset of the relaxation oscillation pulse, the intracavity loss is reduced, such as by Q-switching, so that the built-up gain stored in the gain medium is output from the resonator in the form of an output pulse at a single frequency. An electronically controllable output coupler is controlled to affect output pulse characteristics. The laser acts a master oscillator in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration. The laser is used for laser peening.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignees: Metal Improvement Company, LLC, Lawrence Livermore National Security LLCInventors: C. Brent Dane, Lloyd Hackel, Fritz B. Harris
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Publication number: 20090059977Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and/or parasitic oscillation modes in a laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing material arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE, parasitic oscillation modes and/or residual pump energy can be effectively suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Thomas F. Soules, Scott N. Fochs, Mark D. Rotter, Stephan A. Letts
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Patent number: 7463660Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and parasitic oscillation modes in a high average power laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges using a substantially high index bonding elastomer or epoxy to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE and parasitic oscillation modes can be effectively suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLCInventors: Lloyd A. Hackel, Thomas F. Soules, Scott N. Fochs, Mark D. Rotter, Stephan A. Letts