Methods Patents (Class 219/121.64)
  • Patent number: 10427245
    Abstract: A method of production of a welded structure by butt welding two steel sheets (51, 52) by laser welding (11) while supplying assist gas (12) to a back surface of a melt pool (13), whereby it is possible to prevent formation of a through hole in the melt part (53), characterized in that a thickness of at least one steel sheet (52) of the two steel sheets (51, 52) is 0.6 mm or less, the assist gas (12) is a mixed gas (12) containing 10 to 50 vol % of O2 gas, and, when an O2 concentration in the mixed gas (12) is C (vol %), a flow rate L of mixed gas (12) (liter/min) satisfies 30 (liter/min)?C(vol %)×1 (liter/min/vol %)?L (liter/min)<40 (liter/min).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yujiro Tatsumi, Hiroki Fujimoto, Masanori Yasuyama
  • Patent number: 10421155
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a component connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Van Niekerk, Hans Langrieger
  • Patent number: 10421153
    Abstract: In a laser welding method, first, laser light is irradiated on one side surface of one of the metal members to form a protruding portion projecting from the other side surface on the opposite side. Next, a part of the protruding portion that was formed is melted by scanning the laser light to generate a metal melt flow toward a top of the protruding portion so as to form a protrusion. The protrusion projects farther from the other side surface than a height of the protruding portion that was initially formed. Then, the one of the metal member having the protrusion is superposed on another of the metal members so that the protrusion is interposed therebetween. Next, the laser light is irradiated onto a portion where the metal members are superposed to weld the metal members to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kagiya, Shintaro Nonaka, Tsuyoshi Higashinakagawa
  • Patent number: 10406639
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for repairing a precision casted turbine blade having a squealer and at least one letterbox which was closed by brazing during new-part manufacturing, wherein the letterbox area was damaged during operation in the first life cycle of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Michael Seemann, Thomas Schnittger, Marcel Timper, Patrik Sondej, Frigyes Szuecs
  • Patent number: 10400982
    Abstract: A light source module has a heat radiating member that has heat radiating properties and has a through-hole penetrating therethrough, a heat generating component having a heat generating component main body disposed on a side of a first opening of the through-hole, and a pin terminal connected to the heat generating component main body and inserted through the through-hole, an electrically conductive member disposed on a side of a second opening of the through-hole and connected to the pin terminal protruding from the second opening, and a covering material that covers and fixes at least a portion of the electrically conductive member and the heat radiating member. A connection portion of the electrically conductive member with the pin terminal is not covered by the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Suzuki, Yukihiro Onoda
  • Patent number: 10357846
    Abstract: An exemplary method for making a metal matrix composite vented brake rotor includes: providing a first side plate; providing a second side plate; and welding the first and second side plates together. The first and second side plates have outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and metal matrix composite portions extending from the outer surfaces to a distance from the inner surface that is less than a thickness measured between the inner surface and outer surface. The inner surface of the first side plate includes a vent portion. The step of welding includes welding the first vent portion to the second inner surface to form the vented brake rotor, the vented brake rotor having a plurality of vents formed by the first and second inner surfaces and the first vent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan G. Sarkisian, Dan T. Moore
  • Patent number: 10315251
    Abstract: A high-precision three-dimensional laminated and shaped object is shaped based on a captured image. A three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus includes a material ejector that ejects a material of a three-dimensional laminated and shaped object onto a shaping table, a light beam irradiator that irradiates the ejected material with a light beam, an image capturer that captures a molten pool formed by irradiating the ejected material with the light beam, a scanning direction determiner that determines a scanning direction of the light beam with respect to a shaped object based on a change in a position of the shaping table, a detector that detects the molten pool based on an image captured by the image capturer and the scanning direction, and a shaping controller that controls at least one of an output of the light beam and a scanning speed of the light beam based on the detected molten pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FOR FUTURE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
    Inventor: Haruhiko Niitani
  • Patent number: 10320158
    Abstract: A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole extending along an axial line, a center electrode disposed in the axial hole, a tubular metallic shell surrounding the insulator, a ground electrode whose proximal end is fixed to the metallic shell, and a cylindrical noble metal tip fixed to the ground electrode via an intermediate tip so as to form a gap between the noble metal tip and the center electrode. A weld portion is provided between the noble metal tip and the intermediate tip. The weld portion has a diameter larger than that of a portion of the intermediate tip which is adjacent to the weld portion. The noble metal tip is located inside a virtual tapered cylindrical surface which extends from a peripheral edge of a gap-side end of the center electrode so as to contact an outer circumferential edge of the weld portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu Imai
  • Patent number: 10286486
    Abstract: A welding apparatus radiates a laser beam to a welding position in a state where a focal spot of the laser beam is in a near-focusing state. The welding apparatus radiates the laser beam to the welding position in a state where the focal spot of the laser beam is in a far-focusing state. The welding apparatus radiates the laser beam to the welding position in the state where the focal spot of the laser beam is in the far-focusing state. The welding apparatus radiates the laser beam to the welding position in a state where the focal spot of the laser beam is in the near-focusing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tanoue, Jyunichiro Makino, Keiichiro Inagaki
  • Patent number: 10270950
    Abstract: A lens holder including a first portion made of a first plastic material capable of being laser welded to an imager assembly. The lens holder further includes a second portion made of a second plastic material capable of blocking infrared radiation. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together in nested relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hiram Avalos, Ligor Manushi, Mark Ryskamp
  • Patent number: 10258255
    Abstract: An elongate medical device includes a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of an electromagnetic field in which the device is disposed. The sensor includes an electrically-insulative substrate, rectangular in shape, and a patterned, conductive trace disposed on the substrate. The patterned trace includes a plurality of diagonal sections parallel to one another, arranged with a relatively low pitch. The substrate is wrapped into a cylindrical shape thereby forming a three-dimensional spiral capable of functioning as a micro-electromagnetic sensor. A medical positioning system is responsive to the signal from the sensor to determine a position and/or orientation of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical International Holding S.àr.l.
    Inventors: Dan Seter, Lior Sobe, Itay Kariv
  • Patent number: 10259415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subassembly (10) of a vehicle safety system comprising a tubular casing (20) and comprising a fastening element (30) that includes at least one fastening hole (13) and a peripheral portion (31) curved at least in portions, wherein the peripheral portion (31) is connected at least at one connecting point (11) to the tubular casing (20). In accordance with the invention, the peripheral portion (31) includes at least one breakthrough (40) and a coating passage (17) is formed at least in portions between the peripheral portion (31) and the casing (20), wherein the tubular casing (20) includes at least in portions, especially on its entire exposed surface (21), an anti-corrosion layer and/or the fastening element (30) includes at least in portions, especially on its entire exposed surface (32), an anti-corrosion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Englbrecht, Vadim Kolbin, Michael Gabler, Georg Tautschnig
  • Patent number: 10259074
    Abstract: A welding mode determination device that determines a welding mode when laser beam welding is performed includes an obtaining unit that obtains an image in an infrared wavelength region and an image in a short wavelength region of visible light from a laser irradiation area and its vicinity. An extraction unit extracts a light emitting image from the image in the infrared wavelength region and a light emitting image from the image in the short wavelength region of visible light. A determination unit compares the light emitting image of the image in the infrared wavelength region and the light emitting image of the image in the short wavelength region of visible light and determines the welding mode when the laser beam welding is performed based on a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeki Saito
  • Patent number: 10239156
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal component having different regions containing different grain sizes and in porosities is by additive manufacturing. The method includes spreading a layer of starting powder on a temperature controlled moveable platform in a heated chamber with atmosphere and temperature control. Selected areas of the powder are melted and solidified with a computer controlled focused energy beam. The cooled platform is then indexed down and the process repeated. The grain size of the melted and solidified region can be controlled by the cooling rate during solidification which, in turn is controlled by the temperature of the chamber and the temperature of the cooled moveable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn J. Gregg, Alexander Staroselsky, Gajawalli V. Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 10211473
    Abstract: A fuel cell flow field plate providing a uniform gas flow pressure includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate. The first metal plate defines a first opening for providing a first reactant gas to a fuel cell with a first metal bead that surrounds the first opening. The first metal bead is an embossment in the second metal plate that defines a first channel. The first metal plate also defines a first pressure distributing structure that decreases pressure variation is a seal formed with the first metal bead. A second metal plate aligns with the first metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Ivan D. Chapman, Siguang Xu, Liang Xi
  • Patent number: 10207488
    Abstract: A 3D object generating apparatus includes an optical-transparent, a laser light generating module, and a controller. The laser light generating module includes a light emitter for outputting a spot beam, a polygon mirror, a flat-field convergent lens, and a flat-field optical sensor. The polygon mirror directs the spot beam into a linear beam. The flat-field convergent lens is positioned between the laser light generating module and the optical-transparent component, and a flat-field scanning route is formed after the linear beam passed through the flat-field convergence lens. The flat-field optical sensor is positioned on the flat-field scanning route senses an optical power of the linear beam and generates a sensed signal. The controller is electrically connected to the laser light generating module and the flat-field optical sensor, and receives the sensed signal and calibrates the optical power of the spot beam based on the sensed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: XYZPRINTING, INC., KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Yuan Chou, Min-Hsiung Ding
  • Patent number: 10207611
    Abstract: A method for targeted influencing of the deformation behavior of a wall-like structure, in particular a rear wall structure of a vehicle seat, which structure is heated in at least one region at least section by section by means of a laser light source. According to the invention at least one region which influences a strength and/or a tension of the wall-like structure is selectively chosen and is lasered for increasing the strength of the wall-like structure and/or for reducing tensions within the wall-like structure. The wall-like structure is characterized in that in a selectively chosen region the structure has at least one laser-welded seam which is generated by a laser light source of a laser device, increases the strength of the wall-like structure and/or reduces tensions in the wall-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SITECH SITZTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Dawid Rutkowski, Robert Sulowski
  • Patent number: 10199662
    Abstract: A bipolar plate, a fuel cell, and a fuel cell stack are provided. The bipolar plate includes a first flow-field plate and a second flow-field plate. The first flow-field plate and the second flow-field plate are stacked, and the edges of the first and second flow-field plates have a continuous welding portion to seal the periphery of the bipolar plate by a welding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chia Lin, Cheng-Hong Liu, Ching-Ying Huang, Wen-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 10195691
    Abstract: A process is provided for influencing the surface condition of a laser weld seam, wherein at least one laser beam is guided over a joint of a component. The process parameters being selected such that a weld seam and an iron-oxide-containing layer adhering to the weld seam are formed at the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Lachenmaier
  • Patent number: 10163248
    Abstract: A scanning system comprises a scanning device and a computing device. The scanning device scans an object to produce an original image, wherein the original image contains a plurality of colors. The computing device is electrically connected to the scanning device and performs an image processing method including steps: receiving the original image generated by the scanning device; specifying a number of the plurality of layers; assigning each color of the original image to one of the plurality of layers; determining a height of each layer; and mapping the height of each layer to the original image based on each color contained by each layer to produce a height image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: MICROTEK INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsun Hsu, Huei-Chuan Tai
  • Patent number: 10155285
    Abstract: A laser welding method of the present disclosure includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. In the first step, a first workpiece and a second workpiece are stacked on each other. Each of the first workpiece and the second workpiece has a surface coated with a first material and is made of a second material, which is different from the first material. In the second step, a first region in which the first workpiece and the second workpiece are stacked on each other is irradiated with a laser beam so that the laser beam penetrates both the first workpiece and the second workpiece. In the third step, a second region including the first region is irradiated with a laser beam in a spiral fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Fujiwara, Yasushi Mukai, Atsuhiro Kawamoto, Tatsuyuki Nakagawa, Noriyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10156140
    Abstract: A method for joining first and second metal portions includes welding together the portions such that a weld nugget joins them, compressively stressing the weld nugget throughout its volume, and heat treating the compressively stressed weld nugget to recrystallize metal therein. A method for strengthening a metal element includes imparting compressive stress within a region of the metal element, and heat treating it such that metal of the region recrystallizes with a finer grain structure than was present in the region before the step of imparting the compressive stress. A repaired metal part includes a first, original section made of metal alloy, and a second, repair section of metal alloy joined to the original section by a recrystallized metal weld having crystals within +/?3 ASTM-112 grain sizes of the size of the crystals of the original and repair sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: KEYSTONE SYNERGISTIC ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Bryant Walker, Raymond Walker
  • Patent number: 10133156
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for windows integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide windows for electronic devices are disclosed. Transparent windows such as a transparent camera window, a transparent illuminator window and/or a transparent display window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Pilliod, Peter N. Russell-Clarke, Douglas J. Weber
  • Patent number: 10126119
    Abstract: A method of forming a passive strain indicator on a preexisting component includes directly depositing a plurality of fiducial markers on a portion of the outer surface of the preexisting component, the fiducial markers including a material that is compatible with the material of the outer surface. A method of evaluating a component includes initially scanning a plurality of fiducial markers on a portion of an outer surface of the component, subjecting the component to at least one duty cycle, subsequently scanning the plurality of fiducial markers after the at least one duty cycle, measuring a displacement of the plurality of fiducial markers by comparing the subsequent scan to the initial scan, and determining a remaining usable life of the component by looking up in a database a predetermined value of the remaining usable life of the component corresponding to the measured displacement of the plurality of fiducial markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Lee Tollison, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Yan Cui, Bryan Joseph Germann
  • Patent number: 10124410
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Kanko, Paul J.L. Webster, James M. Fraser, Victor X.D. Yang
  • Patent number: 10093189
    Abstract: Device (100) for achieving a temporary connection between two objects (101,102) which are movable relative to each other, comprising •respective connecting means (114,154), being brought together in order to jointly establish said connection, •a movable robot (110), arranged to continuously displace the first connecting means relative to the first object, •a control means (120), arranged to control the movements of the robot relative to the first object, as well as •a sensor means (130), arranged to continuously read a relative position between the first connecting means and the second connecting means while the said objects move relative to each other. The invention is characterized in that the control means is arranged to, while the objects move relative to each other, continuously control the robot so that the first connecting means is displaced, relative to the first object and up to the second connecting means, and there connects to the second connecting means. The invention also relates to a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Mats Sommarström
  • Patent number: 10071444
    Abstract: A laser cladding apparatus includes a powder supplier to supply metal powder to a portion to be processed, a laser to irradiate the portion to be processed with laser so as to melt the metal powder for cladding, and a controller. The powder supplier includes a gas pressure gauge, and the controller stores, as an initial value, a gas pressure value measured by the gas pressure gauge when the metal powder supplied by the gas pressure reaches the portion to be cladding-processed. In operation after storing the initial value, the controller sets, as a reference time, timing when the gas pressure gauge measures a same pressure as the initial value, and outputs a start signal for laser irradiation to the laser based on the reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akio Sato, Yoshinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10058956
    Abstract: A method for controlling a metalworking operation. The method includes measuring a force feedback from a wire being fed from a feeder, the wire contacting a workpiece, determining a change in the force of the force feedback, and adjusting either a heating of the wire or a feed rate of the wire based at least in part on the change in the force of the force feedback. Also disclosed are apparatus for effecting the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Dustin Wagner, William Giese, Rick Hutchison
  • Patent number: 10059624
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for repairing a damage site on a surface of an optical material. The system may have an Infrared (IR) laser which generates a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength, with a predetermined beam power, and such that the laser beam is focused to a predetermined full width (“F/W”) 1/e2 diameter spot on the damage site. The IR laser may be controlled to maintain the focused IR laser beam on the damage site for a predetermined exposure period corresponding to a predetermined acceptable level of downstream intensification. The laser beam may heat the damage site to a predetermined peak temperature which causes melting and reflowing of material at the damage site to create a mitigated site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Adams, Masoud Bolourchi, Jeffrey D. Bude, Gabriel M. Guss, Jeffery A. Jarboe, Manyalibo J. Matthews, Michael C. Nostrand, Paul J. Wegner
  • Patent number: 10034389
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic component mounting method including the steps of: placing an electronic component having a primary surface on which a first electrode is formed, on a circuit member having a primary surface on which a second electrode corresponding to the first electrode is formed, with solder and a bonding material including a thermosetting resin interposed between the first and second electrodes; subjecting the thermosetting resin to a first heating at a temperature lower than the melting point of the solder and thus causing the resin to cure, while pressing the electronic component against the circuit member, and then releasing pressure applied for the pressing; and subjecting the solder interposed between the first and second electrodes to a second heating with the pressure released, and thus melting the solder to electrically connect the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Eifuku
  • Patent number: 10016841
    Abstract: A laser surface treatment method for treating a surface of a workpiece having an irregular shape includes radiating a laser so that the surface of the workpiece which is placed in a direction forming an acute angle with respect to the laser becomes an untreated plane. The method also includes scanning with the laser so that the surface of the workpiece which is placed in the direction forming an acute angle with respect to the laser becomes an untreated plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Hisada, Atsushi Kawakita, Masahiro Nakata, Junichi Okura
  • Patent number: 10005153
    Abstract: Provided is a laser beam welding apparatus capable of correctly detecting the beginning and the end of one welding point even in remote laser beam welding. The laser beam welding apparatus includes a head which irradiates a workpiece with a laser beam, an optical receiver which receives a reflected light of the laser beam from the workpiece, and a controller. The optical receiver receives only a laser beam and a plasma of the reflected light. The controller determines that one welding point begins when a time during which intensity of the reflected light is larger than or equal to a second set-intensity is longer than or equal to a first set-time, and determines that the one welding point ends when a time during which the intensity of the reflected light is smaller than or equal to a first set-intensity is longer than or equal to a second set-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawakita, Shuhei Ogura, Yuta Iwamoto, Hiroaki Kishi, Nobuhiro Iijima
  • Patent number: 10004617
    Abstract: A stent and method for treating an end of a pre-woven stent is provided. The method includes providing a pre-woven stent including a plurality of sharp ends. A pair of wire portions that extend in opposite helical directions around the stent are bent and woven into the stent to define a pair of overlapping crown portions. When the wires are woven into the stent a double weave portion of the stent is defined. The wires can be cut to define tail portions that are removed from the stent, leaving a single crown portion. The sharp ends can be alternatively treated by curving the ends to define rounded looped ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Thomas Treacy, Don Frawley, John Neilan
  • Patent number: 9969000
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a joining preform includes the step of printing a self-fluxing joining alloy. Joining includes brazing and soldering. The self-fluxing joining alloy contains at least one of phosphorus, boron, fluorine, chlorine, or potassium. Another printing step prints a non-phosphorous joining alloy. Both printing steps are performed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. The printing a self-fluxing joining alloy step may be repeated until the non-phosphorous joining alloy is substantially encapsulated by the self-fluxing joining alloy. The self-fluxing joining alloy may be a BCuP alloy, a CuP alloy, a CuSnP alloy, a CuSnNiP alloy or a CuAgP alloy. The non-phosphorous joining alloy may be a BAg alloy, a BNi alloy or a BAu alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Batton Witney, Jeffrey Michael Breznak
  • Patent number: 9956646
    Abstract: Multiple-beam laser processing may be performed on a workpiece using at least first and second laser beams with different characteristics (e.g., wavelengths and/or pulse durations). In some applications, an assist laser beam is directed at a target location on or within the workpiece to modify a property of the non-absorptive material. A process laser beam is directed at the target location and is coupled into absorption centers formed in the non-absorptive material to complete processing of the non-absorptive material. Multiple-beam laser processing may be used, for example, to drill holes in a substrate made of alumina or other transparent ceramics. In other applications, multiple-beam laser processing may be used in melting applications such as micro-welding, soldering, and forming laser fired contacts. In these applications, the assist laser beam may be used to modify a property of the material or to change the geometry of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Mendes, Jeffrey P. Sercel, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Xiangyang Song, Joshua Schoenly, Roy Van Gemert, Cristian Porneala
  • Patent number: 9956648
    Abstract: Methods and systems are implemented for piercing a metal workpiece by means of a laser beam and a process gas The methods and systems form a hole in the workpiece using the laser beam and using an inert gas as the process gas, such that the formed hole extends only partially through the workpiece, widen the upper part of the hole into a trough that surrounds the hole on the top side of the workpiece using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas, and fully pierce the hole using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Florian Raichle
  • Patent number: 9948069
    Abstract: A spark plug wherein least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode includes a shaft portion and an electrode tip joined to one surface of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a first core formed of a material containing copper and a first outer layer that is formed of a material having higher corrosion resistance than the first core and covers at least part of the first core. The electrode tip includes a second outer layer that is formed of a material containing a noble metal and forms the outer surface of the electrode tip and a second core that is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the second outer layer and is at least partially covered with the second outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Segawa, Daisuke Sumoyama
  • Patent number: 9944048
    Abstract: Provided are a laser-bonded component and a production method for same that ensure sufficient bonding strength using little laser energy and which cause little increase in surrounding temperature. A nickel layer, being a surface layer, is formed having sufficient thickness on the upper surface of a copper plate that is uppermost amongst at least two superposed copper plates, a laser is irradiated from above the nickel layer, a re-solidification section formed by fusing and alloying the copper in the copper plates and the nickel in the nickel layer is formed through to inside the bottommost copper plate, and the copper plates are bonded together. The re-solidification section having high breaking strength is formed by the alloying of the nickel and the copper. As a result, the copper plates can be bonded with a small welding surface area and little laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Nishikawa, Tomomi Tanaka, Toshiki Itoi, Yoshiaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9948068
    Abstract: A spark plug that includes a center electrode and a ground electrode. The center electrode is disposed providing a gap with the center electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the ground electrode includes a tip forming the gap. The tip includes a main body portion and a front surface layer. A composition of the main body portion is Pt as a main constituent and Rh of 5 mass % or more and Ni of 0 mass % or more to less than 8 mass %. The front surface layer is disposed at least at a surface radially outside of an axial line extending in a direction from a center of the main body portion to the gap. The front surface layer contains Ni of 8 mass % or more and has a thickness of 2 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sumoyama, Tsutomu Shibata
  • Patent number: 9925623
    Abstract: A case assembly includes a plurality of segments, at least one braze joint, and one or more welds. The braze joint connects the plurality of segments together and the one or more welds extend across adjacent segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dana P. Stewart, Edward R. Szela, John H. Finn
  • Patent number: 9890595
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool includes entering an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool in a computer system including memory and a processor, the computer system operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition tool, and a material removal tool. The processor generates a tool path for the direct metal deposition tool. The tool path is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated along the tool path to deposit metal on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially form the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim
  • Patent number: 9889896
    Abstract: A method for assembling a vehicle body wherein, first a floor and a side panel are positioned in the height direction thereof. Thereafter, the floor and the side panel are pressed without deforming the floor and the floor and the side panel are positioned. A roof is subsequently set on the upper section of the side panel and the front section and the rear section of the side panel and the front section and the rear section of the roof are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Nakamura, Hayato Sato, Koichi Takeuchi, Yasushi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9887400
    Abstract: A secondary battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes i) an electrode assembly comprising upper and lower surfaces opposing each other, ii) a container configured to receive the electrode assembly via an opening defined at one end thereof, iii) a cap assembly configured to close the opening of the container, wherein an electrolyte injection hole is defined in the cap assembly, and wherein the electrolyte injection hole is configured to receive electrolyte and iv) an insulation case configured to be received by the container and being interposed between the cap assembly and the electrode assembly, wherein a first electrolyte permeation passage is formed between an outer surface of the insulation case and an inner surface of the container, and wherein the first electrolyte permeation passage is configured to expedite the permeation of the received electrolyte into the lower surface of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joung Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 9879535
    Abstract: A laser net shape manufactured BLISK, compressor blade, turbine blade or turbine component including a plurality of overlapping predetermined variable bead widths of a material defining a first material layer, a plurality of overlapping predetermined variable bead widths of a material deposited on top of the first material layer, forming a second material layer; and additional material layers deposited on top of the first material layer and the second material layer. The variable bead width of the deposited material is controlled to maintain the approximately constant percent of bead width overlap. A first 2 to 100 deposited powder layers are deposited by a first laser power and the remaining powder layers are deposited by a laser power that is ramped down over the course of depositing the remaining powder layers. In addition, disclosed is A BLISK, compressor blade, turbine blade or turbine component formed by a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huan Qi, Prabhjot Singh, Magdi Naim Azer
  • Patent number: 9882356
    Abstract: A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole extending along an axial line, a center electrode disposed in the axial hole, a tubular metallic shell surrounding the insulator, a ground electrode whose proximal end is fixed to the metallic shell, and a cylindrical noble metal tip fixed to the ground electrode via an intermediate tip so as to form a gap between the noble metal tip and the center electrode. A weld portion is provided between the noble metal tip and the intermediate tip. The weld portion has a diameter larger than that of a portion of the intermediate tip which is adjacent to the weld portion. The noble metal tip is located inside a virtual tapered cylindrical surface which extends from a peripheral edge of a gap-side end of the center electrode so as to contact an outer circumferential edge of the weld portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu Imai
  • Patent number: 9865285
    Abstract: Provided is a wiring thin plate capable of securely hold-down the wiring thin plate around a scheduled portion to be a welded spot even if the wiring thin plate is downsized and involves widened wiring traces. The wiring thin plate includes a metal supporting layer, an insulating layer on the supporting layer, a wiring part having a plurality of wiring traces on the insulating layer, a scheduled portion defined on the supporting layer to be welded, and a protrusion formed on the supporting layer for the scheduled portion and having a height that is the same as a height of the wiring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9851332
    Abstract: A process for determining the quality of a laser weld-seam, whereby a welded plate and a geometrically equivalent non-welded plate are subjected to a physical impact to generate a natural vibration frequency. The natural vibration frequency of the welded plate and the non-welded plate is then measured with an accelerometer and compared. The uniformity of the weld is then determined by the similarity between the natural vibration frequency of the welded plate and the geometrically equivalent non-welded plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Adesina Akeem Yusuf, Iyad T. Alzaharnah, Bekir S. Yilbas
  • Patent number: 9839986
    Abstract: A low-profile, automated guided vehicle (AGV) performs surface treatments over large areas of a structure having limited access, such as an aircraft underbelly. The AGV includes a movable gantry provided with automated robot. The robot has interchangeable end effectors for carrying out the surface treatments. Travel of the AGV relative to structure is controlled by a ground guidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven A. Best, Eric M. Reid, Donald Joe Best, III, Daniel M. McDonagh, Paul Edward Jennerjohn, David McCaig, Paul G. Solecki, Eric J. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9808933
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot, an end-effector assembly disposed at a distal end of a main boom, rotatable parallel frame rails, and tool support branches. Tool modules are connected to a tool support branch and rotatable/translatable with respect to a respective branch axis. A configuration tool has a control block engaged by a wrist of the robot and a work tool. A controller commands the robot to automatically configure the end-effector assembly by adjusting the frame rails and/or tool support branches or tool modules using the work tool, doing so in response to an identified work task. Engagement of the wrist with the tool changer is commanded and the identified work task is executed using the end-effector assembly. A configuration stand may automatically flip the end-effector assembly to a configuration location, command engagement of the wrist with the tool changer, and configure the end-effector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, Joerg Pohlers, Ken Dellach, Maurice Perlman
  • Patent number: 9808886
    Abstract: A method and system to manufacture workpieces employing a high intensity energy source to create a puddle and at least one resistively heated wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the puddle as droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R Peters, Paul E Denney, Badri Narayanan, Dionysus Damato, Michael Whitehead