Patents by Inventor Mark W. Hammerton

Mark W. Hammerton 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).

  • System and method of forming hole in blank during hydroforming process
    Patent number: 9067252
    Abstract: A method of forming a hole in a hollow blank during a hydroforming process is provided. The method includes placing a blank in a cavity of a hydroforming die, the hydroforming die being configured to permit a punch to engage the blank. An interior of the blank is pressurized with a fluid. Further, a cutting end of a punch is applied through a wall portion of the blank and into the interior of the blank to form a hole. Furthermore, the cutting end of the punch is removed from the interior of the blank such that the cutting end of the punch is configured to allow material of the blank surrounding the formed hole to move away from the interior of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Christianson, Mark W. Hammerton, Murray R. Mason
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORMING HOLE IN BLANK DURING HYDROFORMING PROCESS
    Publication number: 20150114063
    Abstract: A method of forming a hole in a hollow blank during a hydroforming process is provided. The method includes placing a blank in a cavity of a hydroforming die, the hydroforming die being configured to permit a punch to engage the blank. An interior of the blank is pressurized with a fluid. Further, a cutting end of a punch is applied through a wall portion of the blank and into the interior of the blank to form a hole. Furthermore, the cutting end of the punch is removed from the interior of the blank such that the cutting end of the punch is configured to allow material of the blank surrounding the formed hole to move away from the interior of the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Christianson, Mark W. Hammerton, Murray R. Mason