Patents by Inventor William Masek
William Masek 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).
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Patent number: 9797820Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electro-mechanical fuse-type configuration built into the probe that contacts the specimen during materials testing. The design includes an internal pre-loaded compression spring and an electrical contact switch. The coil spring preloaded to the desired safety load results in the probe assembly directly passing the load from the probe tip to the load cell for loads under the point where the spring additionally compresses. Upon deflection of the spring in excess of safety preload, the spring internally compresses within the probe coupling rather than the probe tip continuing to displace into the specimen, thereby switching the state of the electrical contact switch and stopping operation of the materials testing device. In a further configuration, excessive travel of the load cell coupling is detected, and, in response, operation of the materials testing device is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William Masek, Peter Bermudez, Stephen M. McMahon, Adrian Riddick, Fernando L. Castro
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Patent number: 9797699Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method in materials testing to automatically locate the center of a feature on or in an object using the off-axis force feedback of a loadcell. In this disclosure, either a simplified model of the product or device being tested, or the product itself, is placed under the loadcell probe with the feature of interest roughly aligned under the probe tip. The probe is driven down into the feature. The product is automatically positioned relative to the probe in the x-direction until the side of the probe contacts the side of the feature. Contact is determined by monitoring the force feedback from the loadcell. When the vertical force from the side-load surpasses a pre-determined setpoint, contact is assumed and the value of the x-position of the product with respect to the probe is recorded. The product is then repositioned in the opposite direction in the x-axis to record the touch load on the other side. The center is then calculated as the average of the x values.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William Masek, Michael Taliaferro, Jeffrey Manney
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Patent number: 9783216Abstract: A securable cart assembly for a gas grill that allows easy transport and installation, and which permits the cart and associated gas cylinder tank to cooperate with and be secured to a gas grill assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: J. Michael Alden, Paul Robert Behnke, Douglas William Masek
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Publication number: 20160252437Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electro-mechanical fuse-type configuration built into the probe that contacts the specimen during materials testing. The design includes an internal pre-loaded compression spring and an electrical contact switch. The coil spring preloaded to the desired safety load results in the probe assembly directly passing the load from the probe tip to the load cell for loads under the point where the spring additionally compresses. Upon deflection of the spring in excess of safety preload, the spring internally compresses within the probe coupling rather than the probe tip continuing to displace into the specimen, thereby switching the state of the electrical contact switch and stopping operation of the materials testing device. In a further configuration, excessive travel of the load cell coupling is detected, and, in response, operation of the materials testing device is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: William MASEK, Peter BERMUDEZ, Stephen M. MCMAHON, Adrian RIDDICK, Fernando L. CASTRO
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Publication number: 20160202035Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method in materials testing to automatically locate the center of a feature on or in an object using the off-axis force feedback of a loadcell. In this disclosure, either a simplified model of the product or device being tested, or the product itself, is placed under the loadcell probe with the feature of interest roughly aligned under the probe tip, The probe is driven down into the feature. The product is automatically positioned relative to the probe in the x-direction until the side of the probe contacts the side of the feature. Contact is determined by monitoring the force feedback from the loadcell. When the vertical force from the side-load surpasses a pre-determined setpoint, contact is assumed and the value of the x-position of the product with respect to the probe is recorded. The product is then repositioned in the opposite direction in the x-axis to record the touch load on the other side, The center is then calculated as the average of the x values.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: William MASEK, Michael TALIAFERRO, Jeffrey MANNEY
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Publication number: 20150342401Abstract: A securable cart assembly for a gas grill that allows easy transport and installation, and which permits the cart and associated gas cylinder tank to cooperate with and be secured to a gas grill assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: J. Michael Alden, Paul Robert Behnke, Douglas William Masek
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Publication number: 20140076545Abstract: A hydrocarbon heating system comprises a surface control panel and a subsurface heating system, connected by an external power cable which also serves as the data communication link between the two parts. The subsurface heating system includes a heating element and two separate, thermally isolated temperature sensors. One thermal sensor, mounted near the heating element, monitors the temperature of the heating element. Another thermal sensor monitors the ambient temperature of fluid in the borehole. The temperature of the heating element may be varied to maintain an optimal well temperature for the production of hydrocarbons. Downhole electronics convert the thermal sensor outputs to digital data, and modulate the digital data onto a power cable that carries power from the surface to the heating element. A control system at the surface controls the heating element via nested control loops monitoring the temperatures of the borehole fluid and the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: DH THERMAL LLCInventors: Walter John Sutton, Duane L. Schreurs, Jerry D. Crane, William Masek, Alan Granger
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Patent number: 8640344Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have a blade portion and a base portion, the blade portion having a cutting edge region terminated at a free end thereof and an opposing non-cutting edge region, the blade portion being bent relative to the base portion in a bent portion spaced from the cutting edge region and adjacent to the non-cutting edge region, wherein the bent portion extends about 108 degrees to about 115 degrees from the base portion, the bent portion having a radius of about 0.30 mm to about 0.45 mm, at least part of the cutting member having a hardness of about hardness of about 540 HV to about 750 HV, and a thickness of the bent portion is less than the average thickness of the cutting member.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
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Patent number: 8499462Abstract: A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: William Masek, Matthew J. Guay, Michael J. Bond, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu
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Patent number: 8347512Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
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Publication number: 20110283550Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
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Patent number: 8011104Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
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Publication number: 20100218806Abstract: There is provided a concentrating solar collector in the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid (collector) with light reflective surfaces on the inside. The collector includes a large top opening which is pointed towards the sun collecting the sun rays. A high-concentration photovoltaic solar cell is placed at the narrow end of the collector. The light is concentrated onto the solar cell, which generates electricity from the concentrated solar light. The collector is made of, but not limited to, an inflatable lightweight reflective film, balloon filled with helium, glass, plastic or metal. The reflective surface inside the collector is obtained using inexpensive mirror coating which is applied to clear glass or plastic. A cooling system is used for keeping the concentrated photovoltaic solar cell at or close to a fixed temperature to maintain the cell at its highest operating efficiency of power generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: QUADRA SOLAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ra'ed Arab, William Masek
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Publication number: 20070234576Abstract: A cutting member for a shaving razor includes an elongated blade portion that tapers to a cutting edge, an elongated base portion that is integral with the blade portion, and a bent portion, intermediate the blade portion and the base portion. In some implementations, at least part of the cutting member has a thickness of at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: William Masek, Matthew J. Guay, Michael J. Bond, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu
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Publication number: 20070234577Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. Depuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
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Patent number: 7214941Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the presence of cracks in razor blades during manufacturing. The methods may include, for example, providing a plurality of razor blades in a stack, inducing a current in the stack, and measuring a parameter that is related to the current and indicative of the presence or absence of cracks in the razor blades.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Michel Hamelin, William Masek, Joseph A. Depuydt
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Publication number: 20060192123Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the presence of cracks in razor blades during manufacturing. The methods may include, for example, providing a plurality of razor blades in a stack, inducing a current in the stack, and measuring a parameter that is related to the current and indicative of the presence or absence of cracks in the razor blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2004Publication date: August 31, 2006Inventors: Michel Hamelin, William Masek, Joseph Depuydt
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Publication number: 20060074581Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a test device and method for testing a rail car brake system. The test device includes a pneumatic circuit and electronic circuit connecting a supply of test air to the rail car brake system being tested. The pneumatic and electronic circuits operate to selectively supply and vent the test air to or from the rail car brake system according to programmed instructions. The test device further includes a web server interface for communicating with a predetermined web page or other source external to the rail car brake system test device to retrieve and download additional programming instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Jerry Crane, Scott Edwards, Kathryn Edwards, Alan Granger, William Masek
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Patent number: D798645Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLCInventors: Carmen O. Lira-Nunez, Douglas William Masek, Hudson Kirk Rio, Mark Richard Pavel
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Patent number: D816385Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLCInventors: Carmen O. Lira-Nunez, Douglas William Masek