Patents by Inventor Robert Eric Mueller

Robert Eric Mueller 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: 20210078106
    Abstract: A system includes a laser welder and a filler wire feed. The laser welder is configured to weld a workpiece to at least one additional workpiece to form a welded assembly. Each of the workpieces is formed from a steel material and comprises an aluminum based coating thereon. The filler wire feed is configured to feed a filler wire to an interface between the workpieces when the workpieces are being welded to each other to form the welded assembly. The filler wire comprises a composition that includes nickel and chromium. The filler wire is configured to bind with aluminum in the aluminum based coating so as to minimize formation of brittle intermetallics due to mixing of the aluminum in the aluminum based coating with the iron/steel material in the weld joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Hongping GU, Robert Eric MUELLER, Khoi Huynh TRAN, Qi YAN, Pavlo PENNER, Eric DeNijs
  • Publication number: 20140033979
    Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Douglas Marriott, Robert Eric Mueller
  • Patent number: 8465792
    Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Dofasco, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Marriott, Robert Eric Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120325907
    Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Eric Mueller, Aly Shivji, Kan Li
  • Patent number: 8146814
    Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Dofasco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Eric Mueller, Aly Shivji, Kan Li
  • Publication number: 20100282842
    Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Eric Mueller, Aly Shivji, Kan Li
  • Patent number: 7721967
    Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Dofasco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Eric Mueller, Aly Shivji, Kan Li
  • Patent number: 7370803
    Abstract: In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Dofasco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Eric Mueller, Aly Shivji, Mohsin Choudhury