Patents by Inventor Michael S. Stefansen

Michael S. Stefansen 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).

  • Patent number: 8016964
    Abstract: A system for performing an ultrasonic staking operation in order to join a first part having a post protruding therefrom and a second part having a hole through which the post is passed includes a horn having an end vibrating at a frequency in the ultrasonic range and a motion system operatively connected to the horn, the motion system being capable of selectively moving the horn toward and away from the parts. The motion system moves the horn, with the end of the horn in contact with the post, toward the parts at a first speed such that the ultrasonic vibrations of horn cause melting of the post, and once a determination is made that the end of the horn has contacted a surface of the second part, the motion system moves the horn toward the parts at a second speed, the second speed being slower than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sonics & Materials Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Simon, Michael S. Stefansen
  • Publication number: 20090272480
    Abstract: A system for performing an ultrasonic staking operation in order to join a first part having a post protruding therefrom and a second part having a hole through which the post is passed includes a horn having an end vibrating at a frequency in the ultrasonic range and a motion system operatively connected to the horn, the motion system being capable of selectively moving the horn toward and away from the parts. The motion system moves the horn, with the end of the horn in contact with the post, toward the parts at a first speed such that the ultrasonic vibrations of horn cause melting of the post, and once a determination is made that the end of the horn has contacted a surface of the second part, the motion system moves the horn toward the parts at a second speed, the second speed being slower than the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: William P. Simon, Michael S. Stefansen