Patents by Inventor Tao Xie

Tao Xie 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).

  • Dimension-set method for joining parts
    Patent number: 8114242
    Abstract: A method for joining first and second parts includes applying a structural adhesive, configured to form a permanent bond when subjected to a permanent-curing process, to one of the parts. A dimension-set adhesive is applied to join the parts, and is configured to fix the dimensions of the parts. The parts are not subjected to a mechanical fastening process or a welding process, and the structural adhesive is not subjected to a partial-curing process prior to the permanent-curing process. A permanent bond is formed between the parts with the structural adhesive by subjecting the parts to the permanent-curing process. The dimension-set adhesive may be isolated from the structural adhesive, or may be surrounded by the structural adhesive. An extended tab portion may be formed on one of the parts, and the dimension-set adhesive located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wayne W. Cai, Paul J. Tyckoski, Tao Xie
  • Windshield Wipers and Methods for Producing Windshield Wiper Materials
    Publication number: 20120010339
    Abstract: Wiper blade materials and methods for forming the same. The wiper blade materials are graphene-polymer composites that have a low coefficient of friction. In forming the grapheme-polymer composites, a relatively small amount of graphene filler is well-dispersed within the polymer and the graphene filler and the polymer favorably interact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Hamid G. Kia
  • High strength reversible noncovalent adhesion methods for a solid polymer-polymer interface
    Patent number: 8093340
    Abstract: A reversible adhesive system for coupling together two objects may consist of two shape memory polymers with molecular “hooks and loops” on the surfaces (i.e. the surface away from each of the objects). Utilizing the shape memory properties of the polymers, the molecular hooks and molecular loops may be brought together to form non-covalent bonds, leading to macroscopic adhesion. Upon heating, the adhesive bond can be separated with a small peeling force. The adhesive bonding and debonding can be repeated for multiple cycles with significant adhesion retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Ruomiao Wang, Xingcheng Xiao
  • MULTILAYER ADHESIVE FOR THERMAL REVERSIBLE JOINING OF SUBSTRATES
    Publication number: 20110311783
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Ruomiao Wang, Hamid G. Kia, Jessica A. Schroeder, Todd E. Durocher
  • Inference of contract using declarative program definition
    Patent number: 8074117
    Abstract: A declarative program definition. The definition is analyzed to produce an application contract that describes semantics for sending and receiving application messages during the successful execution of operations by the program. In addition, this analysis may also generate local behaviors associated with the local execution of the program. Alternatively or in addition, the analysis may infer secondary contracts regarding the sending and receiving of application messages, even though the full details of the secondary contracts are not present in the declarative program definition. For instance, the secondary contracts might include error contracts or consistency contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Wolf, Nicholas Alexander Allen, Kirill Gavrylyuk, Edmund Samuel Victor Pinto, Tao Xie, Asad Jawahar
  • Remote activation of thermo-reversible dry adhesives
    Patent number: 8057891
    Abstract: A thermo-reversible dry adhesive, having shape memory polymer characteristics, introduces one or more particles of micro- or nano-particles to at least one layer of the at least one layer of shape memory polymer. These particles may be remotely activated to induct heat sufficient to transform the dry adhesive material from its temporary shape to its permanent shape in the absence of load, which allows the dry adhesive to be reversibly coupled to one or more substrates, wherein the degree of adhesion is greater when the dry adhesive is in the temporary shape than in the permanent shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yang T. Cheng, Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, John C. Ulicny, Hamid G. Kia
  • Reversible dry adhesives for wet and dry conditions
    Patent number: 8043459
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a dry adhesive material including catechol chemically attached to the surface of a shape memory polymer molecule. The catechol content may allow the dry adhesive to be utilized in both dry and wet conditions to bond objects together. The shape memory polymer may allow the dry adhesive to be reversibly attached to the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao
  • Reversible dry adhesives
    Patent number: 8043460
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes product comprising an elastomeric epoxy dry adhesive with a pull-off strength of 1-200 N/cm2 from a substrate and reversibly detached with a peel-off force less than 1 N/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao
  • METHOD OF MINIMIZING RESIDUE ADHESION FOR THERMO-REVERSIBLE DRY ADHESIVES
    Publication number: 20110256396
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of joining two substrates with multilayer thermo-reversible dry adhesives and separating the two bonded substrates by completely thermally reversing the adhesion via heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Ruomiao Wang
  • ASSEMBLY FOR AND METHOD OF FORMING LOCALIZED SURFACE WRINKLES
    Publication number: 20110253288
    Abstract: An assembly including and method of forming arbitrary localized wrinkles upon a surface utilizing a shape memory polymer substrate and rigid overlay, wherein the geometrical distribution of the wrinkles is produced by recovering a lateral strain history within the substrate and buckling the overlay, and the localized wrinkles are used to create, among other things, optically three-dimensional engaging surfaces, structural colors, modified surface texturing, and haptic alerts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Ruomiao Wang, Joseph C. Simmer
  • HEAT PUMP (SERVER) COUPLED WASHER AND DRYER PAIR
    Publication number: 20110252835
    Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRUCE C. BEIHOFF, NIHAT O. CUR, KIRK M. DUNSBERGEN, JOEL A. LUCKMAN, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, TAO XIE
  • Multilayer adhesive for thermal reversible joining of substrates
    Patent number: 8012292
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Ruomiao Wang, Hamid G. Kia, Jessica A. Schroeder, Todd E. Durocher
  • REVERSIBLE ADHESIVE BONDING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110183148
    Abstract: An apparatus at which a first substrate having a first surface with a reversible, dry adhesive thereon is releasably attachable includes a second substrate having a second surface, and a member being mounted with respect to the second substrate and defining a third surface. Adherence of the reversible, dry adhesive to the third surface is greater than adherence of the reversible, dry adhesive to the second surface. Accordingly, the member acts as an intermediary interface to improve the adhesion of the first substrate with respect to the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hamid G. Kia, Tao Xie, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Method for making nitrogen aromatic oligomers and polymers
    Patent number: 7985830
    Abstract: Methods for synthesizing dimeric or polymeric reaction products of nitrogen aromatics comprise contacting a composition comprising the nitrogen aromatic with a catalyst composition. The catalyst comprises a first metal substrate having a second reduced metal coated on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Mance, Tao Xie, Belabbes Merzougui, Charlene A. Hayden
  • Method of minimizing residue adhesion for thermo-reversible dry adhesives
    Patent number: 7976665
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of joining two substrates with multilayer thermo-reversible dry adhesives and separating the two bonded substrates by completely thermally reversing the adhesion via heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Xingcheng Xiao, Ruomiao Wang
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring load size and load imbalance in a washing machine
    Patent number: 7958585
    Abstract: A method of determining static and dynamic imbalance conditions in a horizontal axis washing machine utilizes a number of dynamic algorithms to automatically determine the total load size, the magnitude of any static load imbalance, and the magnitude of any dynamic load imbalance for any given load in a given washing machine based on power measurements from the washing machine motor obtained in predetermined speed profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Zheng Zhang, Tao Xie, Gregory M. Garstecki, Mark M. Xie, Scott D. Slabbekoorn, Ali R. Buendia
  • Computer enclosure
    Patent number: D647088
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hong-Jin Wu, Song-Tao Xie
  • Computer enclosure
    Patent number: D647089
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hong-Jin Wu, Song-Tao Xie
  • Computer enclosure
    Patent number: D647090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hong-Jin Wu, Song-Tao Xie
  • Docking station
    Patent number: D647908
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hong-Jin Wu, Song-Tao Xie