Patents Issued in September 20, 2016
  • Patent number: 9446503
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a binder with high hardness and tensile strength that allows for the creation of drilling tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations include a binder having about 5 to about 50 weight % of nickel, about 35 to about 60 weight % of zinc, and about 0.5 to about 35 weight % of tin. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling tools, such as reamers and drill bits, formed from such binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Pearce, Christian M. Lambert
  • Patent number: 9446504
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming particles in interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include forming a polycrystalline material including a hard material and a plurality of particles comprising a non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming material. Methods of forming cutting elements include infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 9446505
    Abstract: A strap wrench is used to drive a cylindrical object and contains: a handle including two recesses and a longitudinal slot; a strap including a first end portion and a second end portion which are inserted into the two recesses; a guiding rod longitudinally inserted into the handle; a supporting block rotatably connected with a first segment and located inside the strap; a movable member disposed on the guiding rod and moving between a first position and a second position, the movable member joining with the strap; a push switch slidably fixed in the longitudinal slot and rotatably connected with the movable member; and a spring for pushing the movable member to move toward the second position. Thereby, the movable member is driven by the engaging block to move between the first position and the second position so as to operate the strap wrench easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: POUL CHANG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9446506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool having dual flex heads. The tool may have a flex head having a ratchet head and a flex head having a bit driver head. The flex heads may include a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Walter R. Tucker Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 9446507
    Abstract: A disposable ratcheting device and method is disclosed, which may include a shaft extending axially through at least a shank. The shank also provides a cup or chamber wherein a series of drive bodies reside in a movable fashion. The shank is placed in a body having an inner wall with teeth formed radially, The drive bodies have toes protruding beyond the shank and which, in a locked direction, engage the teeth inside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Patent number: 9446508
    Abstract: A stored energy stapler includes a base portion and a first lever pivotally coupled to the base portion. The first lever includes a front end and a back end. The stapler also includes a second lever pivotally coupled to the base portion about a pivot point, the second lever having a front end and a back end, and a striker element at the front end for driving a staple out of the stapler. The stapler also includes a biasing member coupled to both the first lever and the second lever that biases the back ends of the first and second levers apart from one another. The pivot point is disposed between the striker element and the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Randeep S. Dhillon
  • Patent number: 9446509
    Abstract: A storage system includes a mobile tool cart having multiple shelves, each of which may be provided with tool storage devices, such as interconnected arrays of tubes that are sized to receive individual tools or pieces of equipment. The tubes in the tool storage devices may include tubes of varying diameter and/or length so as to accommodate different types of equipment needed at a worksite. The arrays of tubes are arranged on the shelves of a tool cart in any desirable configuration, and additional tool storage elements such as socket holders may also be placed on the shelves. The storage system also includes a storage housing configured to cover the tool cart and prevent unauthorized access to the equipment and tools during periods of non-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Winfred Martin
  • Patent number: 9446510
    Abstract: A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Clara Vu, Matthew Cross, Tim Bickmore, Amanda Gruber, Tony L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9446511
    Abstract: Methods and systems for allocating tasks to robotic devices are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices and in a computing system configured to access a processor and memory, determining information associated with a health level for the plurality of robotic devices based on the information associated with the task logs. A health level for a given robotic device may be proportional to a current level of ability to perform a function, which may change over a lifespan of the given robotic device. Information associated with a plurality of tasks to be performed by one or more or the robotic devices may also be determined. The computing system may optimize an allocation of the plurality of tasks such that a high precision task may be allocated to a robotic device having a greater current health level than another robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 9446512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swarm of robots and a related method of operating the swarm. The robots are programmed to start at a nest and to select a dispersal direction from a uniform random distribution. The robots travel along the dispersal direction until transitioning to a search mode upon reaching a search site, where the robot performs a correlated random walk with fixed step size and direction and using a standard deviation to determine how correlated the direction of the next step of the robot is with the direction of the previous step. If no resource is found within predetermined time t independently determined by each of said robots, the robot returns to the nest and repeats the above steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Melanie E. Moses, Joshua P. Hecker, Kenneth Letendre, Karl Andrew Stolleis
  • Patent number: 9446513
    Abstract: A robotic gripper includes a gripper palm, a first pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the first pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint, and a second pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the second pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint. A web member is attached to the first pair of adjacent fingers, the web member having a web portion having a gripping face, the web portion disposed between a first one of the first pair of adjacent fingers and a second one of the second pair of adjacent fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ekas
  • Patent number: 9446514
    Abstract: Provided is a lower limb structure for a legged robot with which a load on an actuator for driving a knee joint can be reduced. The lower limb structure for the legged robot comprises: a hip joint main body (18); a thigh portion (12a); a hip joint coupling (22) for connecting the thigh portion (12a) to the hip joint main body (18); and a knee joint main body (19) joined to the thigh portion (12a). The lower limb structure for the legged robot provides a thigh portion auxiliary link (31) having one end portion joined to the hip joint main body (18) or the hip joint coupling (22) to be rotatable about one pitch axis and the other end portion joined to the knee joint main body (19) to be rotatable about another pitch axis. A knee joint actuator (4) increases and decreases a length from the one end portion to the other end portion of the thigh portion auxiliary link (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 9446515
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling attention and training of autonomous robotic devices. In one approach, attention of the robot may be manipulated by use of a spot-light device illuminating a portion of the aircraft undergoing inspection in order to indicate to inspection robot target areas requiring more detailed inspection. The robot guidance may be aided by way of an additional signal transmitted by the agent to the robot indicating that the object has been illuminated and attention switch may be required. Responsive to receiving the additional signal, the robot may initiate a search for the signal reflected by the illuminated area requiring its attention. Responsive to detecting the illuminated object and receipt of the additional signal, the robot may develop an association between the two events and the inspection task. The light guided attention system may influence the robot learning for subsequent actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Brain Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Meier
  • Patent number: 9446516
    Abstract: A method for designating and/or controlling a manipulator process for a manipulator configuration having at least one manipulator, in particular, an industrial robot, wherein the manipulator process includes a given oriented manipulator path for the manipulator configuration. The method includes designating or executing at least one action by the manipulator configuration, in particular, differently, in response to a reverse movement running counter to the oriented manipulator path, and/or a return movement running in the same direction as the oriented manipulator path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Wiedemann, Andreas Hagenauer, Manfred Huettenhofer, Martin Weiss
  • Patent number: 9446517
    Abstract: A robotic system has arms, arm processors, arm supervisor, and system supervisor. Each arm includes nodes for controlling motors in the arm. Each node, including each arm processor, detects faults affecting the node, places the node into a safe state upon detecting a fault, propagates a fault notification, diagnoses the fault and classifies it, and sends an error message to the supervisor processor. The arm supervisor may detect faults affecting an arm and also perform fault reaction activities. The system supervisor handles the fault as either a system or local fault depending upon its class. For system faults, a fault notification is sent to the arm processors of non-failed arms so that the non-failed arms are placed in the safe state. For local faults, a degraded operation option is provided to a user and if the fault is classified as recoverable, a recovery option is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Burns, Vaughn Fuelling, Gregory K. Toth, Akash Patel
  • Patent number: 9446518
    Abstract: An example implementation for avoiding leg collisions may involve a biped robot reducing a three-dimensional system to a two-dimensional projection of the biped robot's feet. An example biped robot may determine a touchdown location for a swing foot. The biped robot may determine lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to a stance foot. Based on one or more of the determined lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to the stance foot, the biped robot may determine an intermediate swing point for the swing foot that is not on a line defined by the swing foot and the touchdown location. The biped robot may further cause the swing foot to move to the intermediate swing point, and then cause the swing foot to move to the touchdown location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Blankespoor
  • Patent number: 9446519
    Abstract: In one example, a method is provided for a computing device to facilitate testing of an electronic apparatus. The method includes receiving a request from an apparatus coupled to a network to which the computing device is also coupled. The method further includes retrieving a command for a robot controlled by the computing device from the request, and configuring the robot to physically interface with the electronic apparatus to perform one or more tests according to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AirWatch LLC
    Inventors: Gavin Gray, Ben Duong
  • Patent number: 9446520
    Abstract: A robotic system including at least two acoustic sensors, spaced apart, for receiving respective versions of a respective continuous ultrasonic waveform emitted by each of one or more positional elements, each of the respective continuous ultrasonic waveforms comprising a respective modulated carrier and an electromagnetic sensor for receiving a respective electromagnetic signal emitted by a respective electromagnetic emitter of a same respective one of the positional elements, and a computing device. The respective electromagnetic signal is emitted in coordination with the respective ultrasonic waveform emitted by the same positional element. The computing device decodes the versions of the ultrasonic waveform and the electromagnetic signal to measure time delays between the versions of the respective ultrasonic waveform and the respective electromagnetic signal, converts the time delays to distances, and triangulates the distances to determine positions of the positional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nathan Altman, Oded Eliashiv
  • Patent number: 9446521
    Abstract: A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an emitter which emits a signal having a field of emission and a photon detector having a field of view which intersects the field of emission at a region. The subsystem detects the presence of an object proximate the mobile robot and determines a value of a signal corresponding to the object. It compares the value to a predetermined value, moves the mobile robot in response to the comparison, and updates the predetermined value upon the occurrence of an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Casey, Matthew Cross, Daniel N. Ozick, Joseph L. Jones
  • Patent number: 9446522
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and systems for determining the position of a carrier ring assembly supported by an end effector. In an embodiment, the position of the carrier ring assembly is determined by passing the carrier ring assembly through a plurality of through beam sensors. As the carrier ring passes through the sensors, a plurality of sensor transitions along points on the carrier ring assembly are detected. Each sensor transition indicates that one of the through beam sensors changed from an unblocked state to a blocked state, or changed from an blocked state to an unblocked state. The position of the end effector is recorded at each sensor transition and is associated with the sensor transition that caused the end effector position to be recorded. A position of the carrier ring assembly is then calculated from the plurality of sensor transitions and their associated end effector positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mazzocco, Daniel Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9446523
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving position data indicative of position of a demonstration tool. Based on the received position data, the method further includes determining a motion path of the demonstration tool, wherein the motion path comprises a sequence of positions of the demonstration tool. The method additionally includes determining a replication control path for a robotic device, where the replication control path includes one or more robot movements that cause the robotic device to move a robot tool through a motion path that corresponds to the motion path of the demonstration tool. The method also includes providing for display of a visual simulation of the one or more robot movements within the replication control path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Autofuss
    Inventor: Jeffrey Linnell
  • Patent number: 9446524
    Abstract: A wire clamp includes a clamp body; a pair of arms coupled to the clamp body; and a piezoelectric actuator having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, the actuator being coupled to the pair of arms at the first end and to the clamp body at the second end. The second end of the actuator is coupled to the clamp body by a preload mechanism for applying a preload force along the longitudinal axis, and the preload mechanism comprises at least one wedge having an inclined surface which is slidable over a mating inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yue Zhang, Chong Hao Chen, Zheng Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 9446525
    Abstract: A robot hand includes a first bit, a second bit, a first holding member, and a second holding member. The second bit holds a microtube between the first bit and the second bit. The first holding member is disposed on the first bit. The second holding member is disposed on the second bit. The second holding member holds a vessel between the first holding member and the second holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Makoto Umeno
  • Patent number: 9446526
    Abstract: A loading device of a robot includes a frame, a first pneumatic cylinder and a first pulley member mounted on a top face of the frame, a second pneumatic cylinder and a second pulley member mounted on a bottom face of the frame, first and second suction assemblies coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder and the first pulley member, third and fourth suction assemblies coupled to the second pneumatic cylinder and the second pulley member, and a fifth suction assembly secured to a middle of the frame. Interspaces among the first to fifth suction assemblies are adjustable by activating the first and second pneumatic cylinder to extend or retract pistons thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng-Fei Sun
  • Patent number: 9446527
    Abstract: One feature pertains to cutters that include a top lever having a first end that includes a first handle, and a bottom lever having a first end that includes a second handle. The bottom lever includes a bottom edge. The cutters also include a cutting lever having a top edge, a first member rotatably coupling the cutting lever to the bottom lever, and a second member coupling the top lever to the cutting lever. The top lever may move the second member when the first handle is moved relative to the second handle. Moving the second member causes the cutting lever to rotate about the first member to move the top edge toward or away from the bottom edge. The top edge and the bottom edge extend from the first member in a substantially same direction as the first and second handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Brainard
  • Patent number: 9446528
    Abstract: A ring includes a ring body having a shoulder, a neck extending from the shoulder, and a cap extending from the neck and spaced apart from the shoulder, thereby defining a gap between the cap and the shoulder. A blade is mounted in both the cap and neck, and the blade has a curved edge extending from the head to the shoulder and into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Vance P Zahorski
  • Patent number: 9446529
    Abstract: Technical problem: a low sawing precision of tubular bodies of an apparatus comprising a transverse sawing station (30), in particular said apparatus equipped with a chip-forming saw means (35), a support (11?,11?) arranged to maintain the tubular bodies (1) in rotation during the sawing step, and also comprising a carriage means (50) for carrying the tubular body (1) along the direction of its own longitudinal axis (16) towards the sawing station (30), in particular preserving the possibility of removing chips produced during the sawing from the inside of the tubular body (1), such low sawing precision, in terms of length and smoothness of the end of the portions depending upon possible small longitudinal translation movements of the tubular body (1) along the support (11?,11?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GA.VO MECCANICA S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonio Tancredi, Stefano Benvenuti
  • Patent number: 9446530
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mandolin slicer adjustable for slicing item in variable thicknesses and variable shapes, wherein the adjustment is enabled by a ballpoint pen ratchet mechanism provided on the mandolin slicer. The mandolin slicer of the present invention further comprises an indicating mechanism to clearly indicate the selected thickness and shape of the sliced item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KING'S FLAIR DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventor: Siu Wah Wong
  • Patent number: 9446531
    Abstract: An improvement to hydrocutting systems includes a curved shape for the acceleration and deceleration sections of the system. In the acceleration and deceleration tubes, the curvature of the sidewall is non-linear along its length, and the water flowing therein accelerates, positively or negatively, at a substantially constant rate. In an embodiment, there is a second curvature, which may be offset from the first curvature by about 90 degrees, that accelerates the water at a second, different substantially constant rate, in order to align the food product both lengthwise and rotationally to a desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: VANMARK EQUIPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathues, Colter J. Young
  • Patent number: 9446532
    Abstract: A magnetic knife wedge attachment for use with a knife has a spine-mounting portion carrying a permanent magnet adapted to be placed in magnetic contact on the spine of the knife blade, and a blade-mounting portion carrying another permanent magnet forming an L-shaped cross-section with the spine-mounting portion and adapted for magnetic attachment to the side surface of the knife blade. The blade-mounting portion has beveled surfaces tapering to sharp edges so as to form a wedge shape around the edges of the blade-mounting portion for forcing cut food material to tilt outward to prevent adhesion of the cut material to the knife blade. By its magnetic attachment onto two contiguous portions of the metal knife blade, the wedge device provides magnetic strength and holding forces to remain locked onto the knife blade during use for cutting food material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Prodius LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Nasrallah
  • Patent number: 9446533
    Abstract: A sensing mechanism (12) for detecting user contact with an active portion (26) of the power tool (10) is provided. In addition, a safety mechanism (14) for preventing prolonged user contact with the active portion (26) of a power tool (10) is provided. The safety mechanism (14) is configured to actuate upon receipt of a signal from the sensing mechanism (12). According to a first aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly displace the active portion (26) away from a user extremity. Alternatively, according to a second aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly urge an extremity of the user away from the active portion (26) of the power tool (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, David A. Carrier
  • Patent number: 9446534
    Abstract: A disconnection unit (10) is described for instantaneous disconnection of a load connected to a vessel (12) with the help of a wire, cable, chain or the like (16) that runs on a topside of an assigned part of an open deck (14) of a vessel, where the unit (10) comprises a housing (30) that contains an explosive part (32), said explosive part comprises, at least, one explosive unit (34) formed as a directed charge with a blast-off side, where the unit (10) is arranged to extend above the deck (14) of the vessel, and the unit (10) comprises a rod mechanism (50) arranged to hold the housing with the explosive part (32) adjoining said wire, cable, chain or the like (16) that shall be cut. Also described is an anchor handling vessel comprising, at least, one disconnection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Per Huse, Reidar André Skarbøvik
  • Patent number: 9446535
    Abstract: An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen R. Clark, II, Michael Todd Martin, Gary L. Siems
  • Patent number: 9446536
    Abstract: A safety component is provided for a power saw that includes a rear guard pivotably mounted to the saw assembly. The rear guard is generally U-shaped to straddle the cutting blade in a deployed position. The rear guard includes arms that contact the workpiece during the cutting operation so that as the saw blade moves downward to perform the cut the rear guard pivots upward while maintaining protection of the rear portion of the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Plamen V. Marinov
  • Patent number: 9446537
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cutting thin film solar cells are provided. According to various implementations, the methods involve cutting a substrate having thin film solar cell materials deposited thereon by inducing a tear along the cutting line. Simultaneously with the tearing, the torn edges may be plastically deformed to produce a desired torn edge cross-sectional profile. Such a fracture may be induced by clamping regions of the substrate while simultaneously displacing the clamped regions relative to each other through the thickness of the substrate as the substrate is fed through the clamps providing the clamping. Apparatuses for cutting are also provided. According to various implementations, the apparatus may have cutter rollers and support rollers configured with an adjustable radial overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BEIJING APOLLO DING RONG SOLAR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael A. Murray, Kedar Y. Hardikar
  • Patent number: 9446539
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive adhesive includes condensation-polymerizing a carrier onto a plurality of carbon nanotubes each disposed on a substrate and having a first end and a second end spaced opposite the first end. The carrier is spaced apart from the substrate so that each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes extends continuously through the carrier such that the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the carrier. After condensation-polymerizing, the method includes removing the substrate from the plurality of carbon nanotubes without removing the carrier from the plurality of carbon nanotubes to thereby form the conductive adhesive. A conductive adhesive for removably joining a first surface and a second surface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Jeffrey A. Abell, Jessica E. Weber
  • Patent number: 9446540
    Abstract: A vehicular instrument panel including a substrate having a first plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a first nylon resin and an expanded reinforcement coupled to the substrate having a second plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a second nylon resin. The first plurality of chopped carbon fibers and the first plurality of glass fibers in the substrate are segregated such that the carbon fibers and the glass fibers are each substantially concentrated within respective driver-side and passenger-side portions of the substrate. An expanded, structural duct has a second plurality of chopped glass fibers within a third nylon resin. The duct, reinforcement and substrate are coupled to form a hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Gerard Marchetti, Kalyanaraman Bharathan
  • Patent number: 9446541
    Abstract: The method is for protecting the end of a cable made of a plurality of parallel tendons (10) anchored using a block (15) having a front side, a rear side and channels (16) extending between the front and rear sides. Each tendon of the cable is held in a respective channel of the anchor block with a blocking member (19). The method comprises performing a first phase of injecting protective material (100) into at least some of the channels of the anchor block. A chamber (30) is formed on at least one side of the anchor block (15) so as to contain portions of the plurality of tendons. A second phase of injecting protective material (200) into the chamber (30) is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventors: Jerome Stubler, Aurelien Sylvestre, Stephane Joye, Erik Mellier
  • Patent number: 9446542
    Abstract: A molding system includes a plurality of injection heads each configured to inject molten polymer into a mold cavity. Each injection head has an outer body, a piston disposed within the outer body and defining a polymer chamber on a first side of the piston and a pressure chamber on an opposite second side of the piston. The piston moves from a retracted position to an extended position responsive to pressurization of the pressure chamber. Molten polymer is injected from the polymer chamber into the mold cavity as the piston moves from the retracted position to the extended position. Such systems may be used to mold relatively large articles of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Edizone, LLC
    Inventors: Russell B. Whatcott, LaVon Lee Bennett
  • Patent number: 9446543
    Abstract: To simplify the cleaning of hot runner feed lines, and consequently to reduce the downtimes, an injection mold with at least one central feed line and a number of plates arranged one above the other is proposed. The injection mold has at least one hot runner feed line with one or more branching points, at which the hot runner feed line changes direction and/or is divided. In each plate, the hot runner feed line runs in a straight line from the upper surface of a plate to the lower surface of the plate. These hot runner feed lines run straight and at an angle within the plate. At least on one side, the hot runner feed lines open out into exchangeable inserts. For cleaning the injection mold, the exchangeable inserts can be removed from the plates and cleaned separately, while the straight-running hot runner feed lines can be mechanically cleaned in a conventional way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Fostag Formenbau AG
    Inventor: Rolf Mühlemann
  • Patent number: 9446544
    Abstract: In an injection molding process, it can be difficult to detect, in real time, process control variables such as pressure and temperature. Traditional temperature detectors and pressure sensors can be difficult to place in or near a mold cavity. An example embodiment of the present invention includes a self-powered multivariate sensor and uses acoustic transmission. The sensor may employ an infra-red thermal detector and pressure sensor and transmit coded representations of measurements acoustically via a body of the mold. From the temperature and pressure, melt velocity and melt viscosity of a compound in the mold can be determined with a high degree of accuracy by a processor internal to or external from the sensor. The example embodiment maintains structural integrity of the mold, provides a wireless self-powered sensor, and makes available sensing of properties of the viscous compound to enable injection molded parts production at a success rate exceeding 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Robert X. Gao, Zhaoyan Fan, David O. Kazmer
  • Patent number: 9446545
    Abstract: An injection device is provided with a stationary-side frame supporting a barrel, a movable-side frame rotatably supporting a screw, a pair of ball screws, and injection drive mechanisms includes servomotors configured to rotate the ball screws. A force detector such as a load cell and the like is disposed between the first ball screw and the movable-side frame. A dummy member is disposed between the second ball screw and the movable-side frame. A control unit controls the first injection drive mechanism based on the output of the force detector and controls the second injection drive mechanism based on the output of the force detector and an arithmetic operation performed in consideration of the respective spring constants of the force detector and the dummy member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harunobu Inami, Keisuke Mori
  • Patent number: 9446546
    Abstract: A corner trim material that is made of a material that will bond with current industry mastics such as all purpose joint compounds, resists impact, resists abrasion, and readily accepts common coatings such as drywall mud, texture and paints. The surface of this material generally does not need to be covered by any secondary fiber based material such as paper to improve bonding or coating on the inside or outside. The material generally consists of a polymer mixed with a fibrous material like pulp or glass fiber. A corner trim piece can be directly extruded from the mix. The corner trim piece can have a center hinge, can be bullnose, and the flanges can optionally have holes or optionally be coated with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CERTAINTEED GYPSUM AND CEILING MANUFACTURING, INC
    Inventor: Douglas Wambaugh
  • Patent number: 9446547
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods of manufacture of a filtration media, such as a personal protection equipment mask or respirator, which may incorporate a FORCESPINNING™ process to form nanofibers. Some embodiments may comprise FORCESPINNING™ material onto a convex mold, which may, for example, be in the shape of a human face. Other embodiments may comprise FORCESPINNING™ material onto an inner and/or outer shell of a personal protective equipment mask, such as a flat fold mask. In an embodiment, the forcespun nanofibers may be functionalized, and therefore may, for example, be operable to capture one or more gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 9446548
    Abstract: A device for suctioning of waste products of a production machine, particularly a sheet extruder, with a suction chamber. At least one suction element extends into a suction space located outside the suction chamber in order to convey waste products in the suction chamber. A suction unit develops a negative pressure in the suction chamber. A sealing means abuts the suction element and locks the suction chamber in a way such that the suction element is movable along the sealing means. The position of the suction element at the suction chamber is variably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: WINDMÖLLER & HÖLSCHER KG
    Inventor: Thomas Sehlleier
  • Patent number: 9446549
    Abstract: In the method of manufacturing a strip (8) of rubber for vehicle tires: a strip (8) of rubber is formed; the strip is cooled with water; residual water (40) on the surface of the strip is heated from the exterior of the strip and/or this water is replaced by hotter water; and the water present on the surface of the strip is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Dubois, François Ros
  • Patent number: 9446550
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes: a forming machine for producing plastic preforms; a blow-moulding machine for blowing the preforms to obtain containers, provided with a blow-moulding carousel having a plurality of blow-moulding moulds that expand the preforms to obtain the containers; a thermal conditioning station interposed between the forming machine and the blow-moulding machine; a storage station, configured for receiving and containing preforms; a supplying system for feeding the thermal conditioning station with preforms contained in the storage station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Parrinello, Zeno Zuffa, Matteo Camerani, Ivan Bonzi, Gabriele Stocchi
  • Patent number: 9446551
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a blow-molded container includes a mold, a mandrel, and a die. The mold includes a bottom section for forming a container bottom, a sidewall section for forming a plurality of sidewalls, a spout section for forming a spout, and a neck section for forming an upwardly converging neck member coupling the sidewalls to the spout having a convex radius transition section of approximately three inches in a container having an overall height of approximately ten inches. The mandrel and the die are operative to form a parison that assumes an ovoid cross-section within the mold with the outer surfaces of the parison positioned approximately equidistant from sidewall section of said mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Mid-America Machining, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Lobbestael, Al Vanover, Kevin D Gaydosh, Gregory T Hall
  • Patent number: 9446552
    Abstract: A blow molding machine 1 has a blow molding section 10, an ejection section 20, and a delivery unit 100. In order to deliver a plurality of containers B to a device 200 of a post-process subsequent to the blow molding machine, the delivery unit includes a rail for holding, delivering and guiding the plurality of containers, and an elevation block raised and lowered relative to the rail. The elevation block includes a plurality of blades, an endless member to which the plurality of blades are fixed at a blow molding pitch, and a drive portion for driving the endless member to run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Yamaguchi, Masatoshi Ando, Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9446553
    Abstract: Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TriVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Humphrey, Jeffrey B. Skiba