Patents by Inventor Zachary Odel Roelofs

Zachary Odel Roelofs 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: 9909527
    Abstract: A hybrid induction welded piston including an upper piston part welded to a lower piston part is provided. The piston is produced by induction heating the upper piston part and the lower piston part, and bringing the parts together to a part growth compensated position. The method then includes rotating the upper piston part 17 to 34 degrees clockwise and then 17 to 34 degrees counterclockwise. In addition to controlling the axial position and degree of rotation, the force applied to the piston parts is controlled so that preferably no flash is formed in a narrow cooling chamber of the piston. During the rotating steps, the pressure gradually increases to a maximum level which occurs while the upper piston part is rotating in the second direction. The piston includes a homogenous metallurgical bond across the weld and no indentation on the outer surface at the weld prior to machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Odel Roelofs, Airton Martins, Ross Evers, Oscar Garza
  • Publication number: 20160061142
    Abstract: A hybrid induction welded piston including an upper piston part welded to a lower piston part is provided. The piston is produced by induction heating the upper piston part and the lower piston part, and bringing the parts together to a part growth compensated position. The method then includes rotating the upper piston part 17 to 34 degrees clockwise and then 17 to 34 degrees counterclockwise. In addition to controlling the axial position and degree of rotation, the force applied to the piston parts is controlled so that preferably no flash is formed in a narrow cooling chamber of the piston. During the rotating steps, the pressure gradually increases to a maximum level which occurs while the upper piston part is rotating in the second direction. The piston includes a homogenous metallurgical bond across the weld and no indentation on the outer surface at the weld prior to machining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Zachary Odel Roelofs, Airton Martins, Ross Evers, Oscar Garza