Patents by Inventor Thierry Marchione

Thierry Marchione 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: 20190003596
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seal is disclosed. The method includes coating a sealing surface substrate of an annular main seal body of the seal with a layer of Molybdenum, and melting the layer of Molybdenum to fuse the layer of Molybdenum into the sealing surface substrate to form an alloyed outer seal layer. The alloyed outer seal layer forms a sealing surface of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Marchione, Timothy A. Thorson, Dennis Michael Turczyn, Zachary Steven Birky
  • Publication number: 20180193959
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a laser configured to produce a laser beam having a laser spot area and configured to operate at a transverse speed. The system includes a power source configured to power the laser to selectively heat the powdered material at a configurable power level. The system includes a controller configured to determine an energy density for an ideal build for the object, the ideal build having ideal surface properties for the ideal build including a bead overlap and a build layer thickness, the energy density being based on a plurality of parameters, which include the power level, the laser spot area, the transverse speed, the bead overlap, and the build layer thickness. The controller is configured to calibrate one or both of the power source and the laser based, at least, on the energy density, and execute, after calibration, toolpath instructions to form the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thierry Marchione
  • Patent number: 9987683
    Abstract: A method for metallic three-dimensional (3D) printing of a part is disclosed. The method may include selecting a material for a build plate adapted to form an intermetallic phase with the part at an interface between the build plate and the part, and forming the intermetallic phase with the part at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thierry Marchione
  • Publication number: 20180050421
    Abstract: A hybrid laser cladding nozzle configured to both powder feed and wire feed a cladding layer onto a substrate surface is disclosed. The hybrid laser cladding nozzle may comprise a central laser channel that is configured to convey a laser beam onto the substrate surface to produce a laser beam spot thereon. The hybrid laser cladding nozzle may further comprise a powder channel coaxial to the laser channel that is configured to feed a powder material onto the laser beam spot, and at least one wire channel laterally disposed with respect to the laser channel and the powder channel that is configured to feed a wire onto the laser beam spot. The laser beam spot may be configured to at least partially melt the powder material and the wire to produce the cladding layer on the substrate surface upon resolidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Marchione, Andrew Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20180021890
    Abstract: A method and system for forming a weld joint using additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method and system involve providing a non-additive manufactured metal structure that includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The method and system further involve increasing an effective sectional area of the first end portion by additive manufacturing a metallic geometric structure substantially permanently on the first end portion of the non-additive manufactured metal structure, without creating any fatigue-sensitive notches. One or more free edges of the additive manufactured metallic geometric structure form a weld interface at which to form the weld joint to fix the non-additive manufactured metal structure to another metal or metallic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. GRIFFITH, Nathan J. Parsons, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Julian LOWERSON, Leon R. ADCOCK, Michael H. NOBLE
  • Publication number: 20180001236
    Abstract: A filter element for the filtration of fluids can be manufactured from powdered metal using a laser manufacturing process. The powdered metal is deposited in a layer on fabrication platform and a laser beam is directed toward the layer of material so that the powdered metal granules fuse together to form a first component of the filter element. Successive layers of powdered metal can be deposited over the first component and also fused with the laser beam to form additional components. During the manufacturing process, the power or scan rate of the laser beam many be changed so that the formed layers of the filter element may have different porosity characteristics, for example, with certain portions being fluid permeable and other portions being fluid impermeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry A. Marchione, Brent D. Widder, Rahul Gami
  • Publication number: 20170305471
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20170298990
    Abstract: A self-lubricating roller bearing is provided. The roller bearing includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rollers between the inner and outer races. Each of the inner race and the outer race includes a bearing surface for contact with the rollers. The bearing surface of one or more of the inner race, the outer race, and the rollers has one or more laser hardened areas and one or more non-laser hardened areas arranged in a predetermined pattern. The one or more non-laser hardened areas create dry lubricant for the roller bearing upon wear thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: RYAN A. LOZIER, THIERRY A. MARCHIONE
  • Patent number: 9731773
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20170198576
    Abstract: A method of selectively hardfacing a holder of a cutting tool is provided. The method includes creating a groove on an outer surface of the holder. The method also includes applying a wear resistant material within the groove of the holder to form a wear resistant layer. The method includes heat treating the holder having the wear resistant layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Steinmetz, Timothy A. Thorson, Thierry Marchione
  • Publication number: 20170198577
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotatable cutting tool is disclosed. The method may comprise fabricating a body of a holder for the cutting tool, wherein the body of the holder extends along an axis and includes a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion may extend from a first end to a second end, and the first end may be configured to receive a cutting tip. The method may further comprise applying a plurality of rotation-assisting strips along an outer surface of the head portion that extend between the first end and the second end. The rotation-assisting strips may project from the outer surface of the head portion. The method may further comprise heat treating the holder having the plurality of rotation-assisting strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Steinmetz, Robert Carr, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Conwell K. Rife, Thierry Marchione
  • Publication number: 20170190112
    Abstract: A system and method for Selective Laser Fusing of a 3D part is disclosed. The system may comprise a platform, a gantry, a dispenser, a first press, a laser configured to emit a laser beam onto powdered material, a positive pressure chamber at least partially surrounding the laser, and a controller. The controller may be configured to: (a) receive data that includes a representation of the 3D part sliced into a plurality of layers; (b) rotate on a path about an axis either the platform or simultaneously each of the dispenser, the first press, the positive pressure chamber and the laser; (c) activate the dispenser to deposit the powdered material during (b); (d) activate the laser to emit during (b) the laser beam onto the powdered material to Fuse the powdered material into a layer of the plurality of layers; and (e) repeat (b)-(d) to make the 3D part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Thorson, Thierry A. Marchione
  • Publication number: 20170095887
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing creates, repairs, or upgrades parts. Conventional manufacturing processes are used to prepare a body of the part and additive manufacturing processes are used to prepare intricate geometries of the part. A support structure is used to support the intricate features during the additive manufacturing processes. Particularly, laser sintering is used to create entire parts or to create a repaired or upgraded part by casting the body of the part and integrating the body with a build plate and using laser sintering to develop the intricate features necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Marchione, Luis Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20160375490
    Abstract: A method for metallic three-dimensional (3D) printing of a part is disclosed. The method may include selecting a material for a build plate adapted to form an intermetallic phase with the part at an interface between the build plate and the part, and forming the intermetallic phase with the part at the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thierry Marchione
  • Publication number: 20160375489
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing one or more objects is disclosed. The system includes a laser configured to selectively heat a powdered material to form the one or more objects in a series of layer-wise iterations. The system further includes an object bed, on which the one or more objects rest during manufacturing. The object bed is lowered by a layer height in conjunction with each of the series of layer-wise iterations. The system further includes a roller configured to spread a powder layer of the powdered material on to the object bed prior to each of the series of layer-wise iterations. The system further includes a roller support structure formed from the powdered material by the laser during the series of layer-wise iterations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Thierry Marchione
  • Patent number: 9487046
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, with the hub having a rotational axis about which the tire is configured to roll. The tire may also include a support structure including an inner circumferential portion associated with the hub and an outer circumferential portion radially spaced from the inner circumferential portion. The support structure may extend between opposed, axially-spaced side edges of the tire, and the support structure may include a plurality of cavities. The tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion. The support structure may also include a plurality of layers of elastomeric material each having opposing faces lying in opposing planes substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. At least some of the layers may include apertures corresponding to the cavities, and the layers may be chemically bonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron K. Amstutz, Stephen J. Pierz, Thierry A. Marchione, Kevin L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20160264189
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a first structural member. The node may also have a second structural member disposed at an angle relative to the first structural member. Further, the node may have a first end plate attached to a first end of the first structural member. The node may also have a second end plate attached to a second end of the second structural member. In addition the node may have a connector plate attached to the first end plate and the second end plate. The connector plate may be disposed generally orthogonal to the first end plate and the second end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. GAMI, Ajay Dnyandeo YADAV, Richard K. HUFF, Jarrod Delane NEAL, Matthew M. ROBINSON, Tad W. MILLER, Brandon C. BRENNER, David William HOLTHAUS, Jacob Warner BELL, Michael H. NOBLE, Edward Patrick ORMISTON, Hemant Prasad MALLAMPALLI, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Michael R. SPENGLER
  • Publication number: 20160264187
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Rahul N. GAMI, Ajay Dnyandeo YADAV, Richard K. HUFF, Jarrod Delane NEAL, Matthew M. ROBINSON, Tad W. MILLER, Brandon C. BRENNER, David William HOLTHAUS, Jacob Warner BELL, Michael H. NOBLE, Edward Patrick ORMISTON, Hemant Prasad MALLAMPALLI, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Michael R. SPENGLER
  • Publication number: 20160159011
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for selective tridimensional repair of a worn surface using at least a scanning device and an additive manufacturing device is provided. The computer-implemented method may include generating a worn surface model of the worn surface based on point cloud data obtained from the scanning device, superimposing the worn surface model onto a nominal surface model, generating trace data corresponding to dimensional variations between the worn surface model and the nominal surface model, and generating a rebuild volume based on the trace data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry A. Marchione, Matthew T. West, John A. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20160067825
    Abstract: A method of producing a mechanical face seal, the method including a step of obtaining a cast or wrought substrate part having an inner diameter, outer diameter, and a planar surface. The method may include an exposing step to expose the planar surface to a laser. The method may further include a supply step to supply a coating material to a location at or near the laser on the planar surface in order for the coating material to form a metallurgical bond with the substrate part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: DANIEL VERTENTEN, DANEIL SORDELET, CONNOR HAAS, DANIEL CAVANAUGH, THIERRY MARCHIONE