Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Williams

Stephen L. Williams 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: 10422442
    Abstract: A subsea pipeline system has a subsea pipe and a pipeline vibration damper (PVD) attached to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Norris, Keith R. Ptak, Stephen L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9981302
    Abstract: A stamping tool and a method for deforming a part with the stamping tool are disclosed. The stamping tool may include an array of striking members (e.g., pins), each striking member capable of being actuated independently with respect to the other striking members. In some embodiments, the stamping tool is part of a system having a vision system and a computing device. The vision system is capable of scanning the part to determine a location or location in which the array of striking members will engage the part. The deforming operation can include a rework operation subsequent to another process, or alternatively, the deforming operation can include deforming the part such that the part includes a three-dimensional shape. Also, the part can be a two-dimensional or three-dimensional part made from metal (e.g., aluminum, steel) or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Stephen L. Williams, Ed Michael Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20170074423
    Abstract: A subsea pipeline system has a subsea pipe and a pipeline vibration damper (PVD) attached to the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. NORRIS, Keith R. PTAK, Stephen L. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20160089712
    Abstract: A stamping tool and a method for deforming a part with the stamping tool are disclosed. The stamping tool may include an array of striking members (e.g., pins), each striking member capable of being actuated independently with respect to the other striking members. In some embodiments, the stamping tool is part of a system having a vision system and a computing device. The vision system is capable of scanning the part to determine a location or location in which the array of striking members will engage the part. The deforming operation can include a rework operation subsequent to another process, or alternatively, the deforming operation can include deforming the part such that the part includes a three-dimensional shape. Also, the part can be a two-dimensional or three-dimensional part made from metal (e.g., aluminum, steel) or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Stephen L. Williams, Ed Michael Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5516145
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly is provided having a passenger air bag canister mounted on a metal frame in front of a hinged door of an instrument panel. The door is pushed open by the inflating air bag when the air bag deploys in a collision. The metal frame has mounting brackets on opposite sides of the door opening. The canister is secured to a rear frame bar extending between the brackets. The bar is removably attached to the brackets so that if damaged when the air bag deploys, it may be removed and replaced obviating the need to replace the entire metal frame. A front canister-mounting frame bar, forwardly of the rear frame bar, normally is not damaged upon deployment of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Williams, Adelbert T. Czapp, Timothy J. Quinlan, Paul G. Maertens
  • Patent number: 4606714
    Abstract: A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the neccessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nixon, George M. Stoila, Stephen L. Williams
  • Patent number: 4479381
    Abstract: The magnitude of a variable property of a tire such as the dynamic imbalance may be predicted by measuring lateral runout at positions close to the end of the thread pattern on both sides of the tire and determining the first harmonic runout values. The first harmonic runout values relative to the centerplane of the tire at different circumferential positions around the tire are arithmetically added. The largest sum at any point on the circumference of the tire gives an indication of the maximum dynamic imbalance of the tire. Tires can be screened by the system comparing this sum with predetermined amounts corresponding to the maximum acceptable dynamic imbalance or other standards and providing visual signals identifying those tires with the largest sum exceeding this predetermined amount or the other standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kounkel, Loren K. Miller, Kenneth A. Spriggel, Stephen L. Williams
  • Patent number: 4444715
    Abstract: A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the necessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nixon, George M. Stoila, Stephen L. Williams
  • Patent number: 4414843
    Abstract: The magnitude of a variable property of a tire such as the dynamic imbalance may be predicted by measuring lateral runout at positions close to the end of the tread pattern on both sides of the tire and determining the first harmonic runout values. The first harmonic runout values relative to the centerplane of the tire at different circumferential positions around the tire are arithmetically added. The largest sum at any point on the circumference of the tire gives an indication of the maximum dynamic imbalance of the tire. Tires can be screened by the system comparing this sum with predetermined amounts corresponding to the maximum acceptable dynamic imbalance or other standards and providing visual signals identifying those tires with the largest sum exceeding this predetermined amount or the other standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kounkel, Loren K. Miller, Kenneth A. Spriggel, Stephen L. Williams