Patents by Inventor Richard A. Flak

Richard A. Flak 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).

  • FRICTION STIRRING AND ITS APPLICATION TO DRILL BITS, OIL FIELD AND MINING TOOLS, AND COMPONENTS IN OTHER INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20150258628
    Abstract: A method of processing a downhole tool includes friction stirring at least a portion of a steel surface of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Richard A. Flak, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Monte E. Russell, Brian Taylor
  • SOLID STATE PROCESSING OF HAND-HELD KNIFE BLADES TO IMPROVE BLADE PERFORMANCE
    Publication number: 20120227546
    Abstract: A system and method for friction stir processing of a hand-held cutting edge, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the hand-held cutting edge to obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping of the hand-held cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicants: DIAMOND BLADE, LLC, MEGASTIR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Allen, Richard A. Flak, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Hobie Smith
  • Solid state processing of hand-held knife blades to improve blade performance
    Patent number: 8186561
    Abstract: A system and method for friction stir processing of a hand-held cutting edge, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the hand-held cutting edge to obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping of the hand-held cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Megastir Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Allen, Richard A. Flak, Scott M. Packer, Russell J. Steel, Hobie Smith
  • Method for construction of pressure vessels with a liner using friction stirring processes
    Patent number: 7753252
    Abstract: A system and method for using friction stir welding, friction stir processing, and friction stir mixing to create pressure vessels, pipes or other containers comprised of a single material or multiple layers of different materials, and having superior strength and endurance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Smith International, SII Megadiamond, Advanced Metal Products
    Inventors: Brian E. Taylor, Richard A. Flak, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer
  • Applications of friction stir welding using a superabrasive tool
    Patent number: 7530486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of joining segments of high melting temperature materials, that includes frictionally heating a first high melting temperature material and a second high melting temperature material wherein the first high melting temperature material and second high melting temperature material are welded together, without substantially changing the macrostructure and/or the microstructure of the first high melting temperature material and the second high melting temperature material, after application of a frictional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignees: SII MegaDiamond, Inc., Advanced Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Flak, Russell Steel, Scott M. Packer
  • Polycrystalline diamond bit manufacturing
    Patent number: 5765095
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a PCD bit by isostatically or mechanically press forming a green on a metallic blank. A metallic blank is vertically suspended into a flexible vessel. Powder metal is mixed with a binder and introduced into the flexible vessel surrounding the lower end of the suspended metallic blank. The vessel is then isostatically or mechanically pressed causing the powder mixture to stick together and to the blank, forming a green on the blank. The blank and green are removed from the vessel and the exposed end of the metallic blank is chucked onto a milling machine and turned for milling the green into the shape of a PCD bit head. After the milling is completed, the green and blank are sintered, hardening the bit head shaped green and strongly bonding it to the metallic blank, forming a PCD bit wherein the hardened green is the bit head while the metallic blank is the bit pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Flak, T. H. (Nick) Nichols, Thomas W. Oldham