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).

  • Publication number: 20250313514
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 12297153
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 11955260
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: WEBASTO CHARGING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV, Peter Gabrielsson, Manuel Miranda, Michael Vail
  • Publication number: 20220199296
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV, Peter Gabrielsson, Manuel Miranda, Michael Vail
  • Publication number: 20200331811
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10703681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20180179114
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9932274
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20160355440
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8158258
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail
  • Patent number: 8020645
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jiang Qian, Jason Wiggins, Michael Vail, Debkumar Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20050203630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Pope, Jeffery Taylor, Richard Dixon, Michael Vail, Kenneth Jensen
  • Publication number: 20050189443
    Abstract: Various nozzles, components of nozzles, and methods, materials and devices for making them are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffery Taylor, Richard Dixon, Michael Vail, Clayton Gardinier
  • Publication number: 20050158200
    Abstract: CoCrMo can be used to enhance biocompatibility of a sintered polycrystalline diamond compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Pope, Richard Dixon, Jeffery Taylor, Clayton Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean Blackburn, Michael Vail, Louis Pope, Kenneth Jensen
  • Publication number: 20050146086
    Abstract: Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers in superhard constructs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Pope, Richard Dixon, Jeffery Taylor, Clayton Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean Blackburn, Michael Vail, Louis Pope, Victoriano Carvajal