Patents by Inventor Trent A. Chontas

Trent A. Chontas 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: 8413875
    Abstract: A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool comprises an exterior threaded solid pin having a diameter and a length; a shoulder having a threadless inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the exterior threaded solid pin and at least one substantially radial threaded set screw hole; an monolithic shoulder-shank having a threadless inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the exterior threaded solid pin and at least one substantially radial threaded set screw hole; a pair of locking nuts having a threadless outer diameter and a threaded inner diameter operably compatable with the exterior threaded solid pin, wherein the shoulder and the monolithic shoulder-shank are capable of slidable engagement with the exterior threaded solid pin along the length of the exterior threaded solid pin to set a space slightly larger than a thickness of a work piece to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Publication number: 20120325895
    Abstract: A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool comprises an exterior threaded solid pin having a diameter and a length; a shoulder having a threadless inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the exterior threaded solid pin and at least one substantially radial threaded set screw hole; an monolithic shoulder-shank having a threadless inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the exterior threaded solid pin and at least one substantially radial threaded set screw hole; a pair of locking nuts having a threadless outer diameter and a threaded inner diameter operably compatable with the exterior threaded solid pin, wherein the shoulder and the monolithic shoulder-shank are capable of slidable engagement with the exterior threaded solid pin along the length of the exterior threaded solid pin to set a space slightly larger than a thickness of a work piece to be welded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Patent number: 8256657
    Abstract: A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool (10) comprises an integral shank-pin unit (11) having a plurality of pin portions on the shank-pin unit, where the plurality of pin portions for driving into a plurality of joints to perform a friction stir welding operation on the corresponding plurality of joints and, where a shank portion of the shank-pin unit is for attachment to an optional axial tension rod (19), each of the friction stir welding modules comprises a pair of shoulders (13, 14) that is connected to the shank-pin unit where each shoulder has a distal end and a proximal end, where the proximal end of each shoulder faces the pin portion of the shank-pin unit, whereby the shoulder and pin(s) rotate in unison, and a pair of split collars or a pair of nuts that is connected to the shank-pin unit and faces the distal end of each shoulder, where the plurality of friction stir welding modules are connected to each other whereby the modules rotate in unison to simultaneously make a plurality of parallel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Patent number: 7854362
    Abstract: A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool comprises an integral shank-pin unit having a plurality of pin portions for driving into a plurality of joints. A shank portion of the shank-pin unit is for attachment to an optional axial tension rod. A plurality of friction stir welding modules comprise a pair of shoulders that is connected to the shank-pin unit. The proximal end of each shoulder faces the pin portion of the shank-pin unit, whereby the shoulder and pin(s) rotate in unison. A pair of split collars or a pair of nuts is connected to the shank-pin unit and faces the distal end of each shoulder. The plurality of friction stir welding modules are connected to each other and rotate in unison to simultaneously make a plurality of parallel welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Publication number: 20100163603
    Abstract: A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool (10) comprises an integral shank-pin unit (11) having a plurality of pin portions on the shank-pin unit, where the plurality of pin portions for driving into a plurality of joints to perform a friction stir welding operation on the corresponding plurality of joints and, where a shank portion of the shank-pin unit is for attachment to an optional axial tension rod (19), each of the friction stir welding modules comprises a pair of shoulders (13, 14) that is connected to the shank-pin unit where each shoulder has a distal end and a proximal end, where the proximal end of each shoulder faces the pin portion of the shank-pin unit, whereby the shoulder and pin(s) rotate in unison, and a pair of split collars or a pair of nuts that is connected to the shank-pin unit and faces the distal end of each shoulder, where the plurality of friction stir welding modules are connected to each other whereby the modules rotate in unison to simultaneously make a plurality of parallel
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Publication number: 20100108742
    Abstract: Friction stir welding tool to facilitate stress reduction within the tool that may include a body, a pin, a tension member, and an end assembly, the tension member and end assembly facilitating axial compression of the pin. The tension member may be decoupled from the pin and/or body of the tool via one or more decoupling members. The end assembly may comprise spring members to provide an axial force to the tension member. The pin may include various features to facilitate stress reduction proximal the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Joseph M. Fridy, Trent A. Chontas
  • Publication number: 20090230173
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Trent A. Chontas, Joseph M. Fridy
  • Publication number: 20090188206
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first structural member made from a first material, such as aluminum, a second structural member made from a second material, such as magnesium, and adapted to mate and interlock with the first member, and a third structural member made from the first material to facilitate a permanent affixation between the first and second members. The second member fits within the first member and the third member fits within the second member. The second member includes at least one aperture surrounded by a protrusion, and the third member includes at least one aperture that mates and interlocks with the protrusion. A surface of the third member is exposed through the apertures of the first and second members. The first member is welded to the third member through the apertures in order to permanently affix the first and second members to one another without metallurgical altering or local welding of the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Israel Stol, Trent Chontas
  • Publication number: 20080217377
    Abstract: Friction stir welding tool to facilitate stress reduction within the tool that may include a body, a pin, a tension member, and an end assembly, the tension member and end assembly facilitating axial compression of the pin. The tension member may be decoupled from the pin and/or body of the tool via one or more decoupling members. The end assembly may comprise spring members to provide an axial force to the tension member. The pin may include various features to facilitate stress reduction proximal the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Joseph M. Fridy, Trent A. Chontas
  • Patent number: 6323748
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The operating mechanism includes a handle having a base into which is formed a channel. The base includes a compressible protrusion that is disposed within the channel. The operating mechanism further includes a handle assembly having a platform that inserts into the channel of the base. The platform includes an indent that mates with the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Malingowski, Teresa I. Hood, William D. Munsch, Lance Gula, Trent A. Chontas
  • Patent number: 6259342
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing and rotatable between a contact open position and a contact closed position, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts for rotating the contacts alternatively between the contact open position and the contact closed position. The operating mechanism includes a handle moveable by an operator between handle open and handle closed positions normally corresponding to and resulting in the contact open position and the contact closed position, with the handle including a protrusion. The operating mechanism further includes a crossbar assembly for rotating with the contacts as the contacts rotate between the contact open position and the contact closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P Malingowski, Lance Gula, Craig A. Rodgers, Trent A. Chontas, Mark O. Zindler, Kathryn M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6232855
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is taught with a housing base and a primary cover disposed on the housing base. The primary cover has a recess therein for an auxiliary module which is disposed in the recess. A secondary cover is disposed on the primary cover for covering the recess when the auxiliary module is disposed therein. A combination manual trip and secondary cover interlock is provided which is accessible from outside of the secondary cover for manually opening separable main contacts or for automatically opening separable main contacts when the secondary cover is removed. There is also provided on the back plane of the housing a single piece DIN rail attachment for securing the back plane to a DIN rail. There is provided an under voltage release mechanism for actuating the circuit breaker to trip on the occurrence of an under voltage condition of predetermined magnitude across the lines served by the circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Malingowski, Trent A. Chontas, William C. Farrow, Joseph F. Changle, Kenneth N. Skoug, Roger W. Helms, Lance Gula
  • Patent number: 6184763
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a cover positioned atop a base. The cover includes a recessed region in which are formed a first hole and a second hole. The first hole and the second hole extend through the cover and into the base, and the second hole extends through the base. A retainment device is positioned within the recessed region, and includes a first opening positioned above the first hole and a second opening positioned above the second hole. The second opening has an opening diameter. A first screw is inserted into the first opening and the first hole. A second screw is for inserting into the second opening and the second hole. The second screw includes a threaded portion having a first diameter and a non-threaded portion having a second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dean B. DeGrazia, Craig A. Rodgers, Trent A. Chontas, Richard P. Malingowski
  • Patent number: 6052047
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is taught with a housing base and a primary cover disposed on the housing base. The primary cover has a recess therein for an auxiliary module which is disposed in the recess. A secondary cover is disposed on the primary cover for covering the recess when the auxiliary module is disposed therein. A combination manual trip and secondary cover interlock is provided which is accessible from outside of the secondary cover for manually opening separable main contacts or for automatically opening separable main contacts when the secondary cover is removed. There is also provided on the back plane of the housing a single piece DIN rail attachment for securing the back plane to a DIN rail. There is provided an under voltage release mechanism for actuating the circuit breaker to trip on the occurrence of an under voltage condition of pre-determined magnitude across the lines served by the circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Malingowski, Trent A. Chontas, William C. Farrow, Joseph F. Changle, Kenneth N. Skoug, Roger W. Helms, Lance Gula
  • Patent number: 5933066
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker or switch having the LOAD and/or LINE terminals thereof protected by a multifunctional terminal shield arrangement which also provides interphase barriers for the aforementioned terminals and associated wiring. The barrier also provides wire channels for lower voltage supplemental wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Trent A. Chontas, Keith L. Mayhood, Todd M. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 5921380
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is taught with a housing base and a primary cover disposed on the housing base. The primary cover has a recess therein for an auxiliary module which is disposed in the recess. A secondary cover is disposed on the primary cover for covering the recess when the auxiliary module is disposed therein. In order to secure the auxiliary module underneath the secondary cover in the recess of the primary cover, the module has deposed thereon a locking protrusion which is complimentary with a locking opening in the primary cover. The locking protrusion is flexible and has a longitudinal central bulge so that as the protrusion is pressed inwardly into the opening, the bulge causes the flexible protrusion to reduce diameter due to the presents of longitudinal slots therein until the bulge has passed the opening in which case it springs outwardly toward its normal position thus securing the protrusion in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: H. Richard Beck, Michael A. Brown, Trent A. Chontas, Lance Gula, William D. Munsch, Karen L. Panian, Robert M. Pomaybo, Edward M. Roberts