Patents by Inventor Michael Vail
Michael Vail 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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Publication number: 20250313514Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 12297153Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 11955260Abstract: An electrical assembly comprising an electrical connector assembly that may include: a utility device comprising a plurality of pins; a socket attached to a cord, the socket comprising a plurality of receptacles to receive the plurality of pins; and one or more metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) disposed inside the socket, where the one or more MOVs are electrically connected to the plurality of pins when the plurality of pins are received by the plurality of receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: WEBASTO CHARGING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV, Peter Gabrielsson, Manuel Miranda, Michael Vail
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Publication number: 20220199296Abstract: An electrical assembly comprising an electrical connector assembly that may include: a utility device comprising a plurality of pins; a socket attached to a cord, the socket comprising a plurality of receptacles to receive the plurality of pins; and one or more metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) disposed inside the socket, where the one or more MOVs are electrically connected to the plurality of pins when the plurality of pins are received by the plurality of receptacles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV, Peter Gabrielsson, Manuel Miranda, Michael Vail
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Publication number: 20200331811Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 10703681Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Publication number: 20180179114Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 9932274Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Publication number: 20160355440Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteds (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 8158258Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: US Synthetic CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail
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Patent number: 8020645Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: US Synthetic CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
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Publication number: 20050203630Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including prosthetic knee joint having at least one diamond articulation surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2004Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Bill Pope, Jeffery Taylor, Richard Dixon, Michael Vail, Kenneth Jensen
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Publication number: 20050189443Abstract: Various nozzles, components of nozzles, and methods, materials and devices for making them are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2004Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Jeffery Taylor, Richard Dixon, Michael Vail, Clayton Gardinier
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Publication number: 20050158200Abstract: CoCrMo can be used to enhance biocompatibility of a sintered polycrystalline diamond compact.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Bill Pope, Richard Dixon, Jeffery Taylor, Clayton Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean Blackburn, Michael Vail, Louis Pope, Kenneth Jensen
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Publication number: 20050146086Abstract: Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers in superhard constructs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2004Publication date: July 7, 2005Inventors: Bill Pope, Richard Dixon, Jeffery Taylor, Clayton Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean Blackburn, Michael Vail, Louis Pope, Victoriano Carvajal