Shaping By Direct Application Of Fluent Pressure Patents (Class 29/421.1)
  • Patent number: 11835081
    Abstract: A connecting device for releasably connecting two assemblies, having a closure module which is assigned to a first of the assemblies, and has a housing assembly, an adjustment element disposed so as to be adjustable on the housing assembly, and a vacuum element; and an attachment assembly which is assigned to a second of the assemblies. The vacuum element is connectable to the attachment assembly along an attachment direction and in a connected position interacts with the attachment assembly in such a manner that the vacuum element and the attachment assembly, when the closure module and the attachment assembly are stressed relative to one another, are held together by virtue of a vacuum effect between the vacuum element and the attachment assembly. The adjustment element for releasing the vacuum element from the attachment assembly is able to be tilted about different spatial directions in relation to the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventors: Björn Bleckat, Breido Botkus, Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 11674545
    Abstract: A bioinspired suction device includes a radially symmetrical suction chamber formed from a first elastomer and having a skirt portion with a skirt diameter and a disc margin formed from a flexible flattened ring adhered to a lower surface of the skirt portion. The disc margin is formed from a second elastomer and has a disc diameter that extends beyond the skirt diameter. The second elastomer is a compliant material having a lower hardness and lower tensile strength than the first elastomer. Radial pads may extend from the disc margin, where each pad has elastomeric texture features formed on a pad contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael T. Tolley, Jessica Sandoval, Dimitri Deheyn
  • Patent number: 11332800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for internal high-pressure forming and hardening of galvanized pipes made of sheet steel in which a pre-fabricated pipe is used; the pipe has at least one inlet opening (5) and a cavity (4); the pipe is heated to a temperature above the austenitization temperature (AC3) of the respective steel alloy and after the achievement of a desired degree of austenitization, is inserted into an internal high-pressure forming tool and acted on with a pressurized medium, which is forced into the cavity (4) through the at least one inlet opening (5) until the pipe fills a predetermined mold (2) of the tool, characterized in that the forming tool is heated to a temperature between 400 and 650° C., in particular 450-550° C., and the pressurized medium is likewise heated and has a temperature of 400-650° C.; after the austenitization, the pipe is allowed to passively cool or is actively cooled to a temperature of 400-600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: voestalpine Metal Forming GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Michael Radlmayr
  • Patent number: 11267034
    Abstract: The controller controls the gas supply of the gas supply unit so as to maintain a pressure in a metal pipe material at a first pressure when a gas is supplied into the metal pipe material which is formed into a pipe portion in a main cavity portion in a state where an upper die and a lower die are joined to each other. It is possible to prevent pressure drop in the pipe portion caused by cooling of the pipe portion due to a contact between the dies, and the pipe portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in a force for pressing the pipe portion against the dies. It is possible to suppress a decrease in adhesion between the pipe portion and the dies when the metal pipe is formed, and it is possible to suppress occurrence of variations in hardenability in the pipe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Kimihiro Nogiwa, Norieda Ueno, Masayuki Saika
  • Patent number: 11253900
    Abstract: A forming apparatus which forms a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material, includes: a forming die for forming the metal pipe; a first electrode and a second electrode which clamp the metal pipe material at both end sides and heat the metal pipe material by causing an electric current to flow through the metal pipe material; and a first fluid supply unit and a second fluid supply unit which supply a fluid into the metal pipe material heated by the first electrode and the second electrode to expand the metal pipe material, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided with a movement restriction mechanism which restricts a movement of the metal pipe material in an axial direction of the metal pipe material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Nogiwa, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno, Akihiro Ide, Hiroyuki Kan
  • Patent number: 11237286
    Abstract: A seismic apparatus includes one or more seismic cable systems configured to acquire seismic data, each seismic cable system having one or more of a cable jacket, a reservoir for a ballast fluid or other ballast medium, and an actuator or other transfer mechanism configured to transfer the ballast fluid between the reservoir and the seismic cable system during acquisition of the seismic data, e.g., where the ballast fluid is transferred to the seismic cable system within the cable jacket. A controller can be configured to adjust a buoyancy of the seismic cable system responsive to the transfer of the ballast fluid, e.g., where the internal volume expands or contract based on the fluid transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventor: André W. Olivier
  • Patent number: 11230076
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device transferring apparatus and a device transferring method, comprising: a controlling component and a punching component, the punching component is located at one side of the controlling component; the punching component comprises at least one punching head movable in a first direction; and the controlling component comprises a protruding portion corresponding to the at least one punching head and capable of protruding toward the corresponding punching head, the protruding portion pushes the punching head to move in the first direction by protruding the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fei Wang, Wanxian Xu, Xue Dong
  • Patent number: 11219935
    Abstract: A method of forming an annular part includes forming a conical or frusto-conical preform with at least one open end, initiating an actuation means to cause relative coaxial movement only between a punch, a clamping means and a gripping means, thereby clamping a large diameter end of the preform in the clamping means and gripping a second small diameter end of the preform in the gripping means and the external surface of the punch to engage the internal surface of the preform, and causing relative co-axial movement between the gripping means and the punch so that the portion of the wall of the preform between the punch and the gripping means is formed over the leading edge of the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Ludlow
  • Patent number: 11192161
    Abstract: There is provided a hole widening method including a preparing process of preparing a forming tool which has a diameter-increasing portion increasing in diameter from a front end side toward a rear end side and a line-shaped projection formed to protrude outward from a surface of the diameter-increasing portion, and a workpiece in which a pilot hole is formed; and a hole widening process of successively widening the pilot hole by pushing the forming tool into the pilot hole such that the line-shaped projection of the forming tool comes into point contact with a part of a circumferential edge portion of the pilot hole in the workpiece two times or more, and forming a stretched flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Nitta, Shigeru Yonemura, Satoshi Shirakami, Takashi Yasutomi
  • Patent number: 10926313
    Abstract: A forming apparatus includes: an upper die and a lower die having forming surfaces corresponding to outer surfaces of a pipe with protrusions; a moving mechanism that moves the upper die and the lower die such that a forming space for forming the pipe with protrusions is defined between the forming surfaces of the upper die and the lower die; and a gas supply unit that supplies gas to a forming material to expand the forming material. A control unit controls the movement of the upper die and the lower die by the moving mechanism and the supply of gas to the forming material by the gas supply unit such that the forming material is formed into the pipe with protrusions in the forming space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Norieda Ueno, Masayuki Saika
  • Patent number: 10807794
    Abstract: A liner for a tank container, wherein the tank container is used for the transportation of cargo such as liquids, gases, and flowable solids. The liner is made of a polymeric material and it is sized to fit within the tank container. The liner is secured to the tank container using flexible gland flanges that are sandwiched between the tank body and the cover of the specific hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: COMPOSITE CONTAINERS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Hunter, Ronald Stevens
  • Patent number: 10773292
    Abstract: A forming device includes: a first cavity portion in which a pipe portion is formed and a second cavity portion in which a flange portion is formed, the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion being formed between a first die and a second die; a flange adjusting member which is capable of being advanced into the second cavity portion and is capable of being retreated from the second cavity portion, and which adjusts a length of the flange portion; and a control unit. The control unit sequentially performs a first control of allowing the flange adjusting member to be advanced into the second cavity portion, a second control of allowing the gas supply unit to supply a gas so as to temporarily form the flange portion, and a third control of allowing the flange adjusting member to be retreated from the second cavity portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Saika, Masayuki Ishizuka, Norieda Ueno
  • Patent number: 10773756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stamped motor vehicle bodywork or shell-structure component made of an aluminium alloy, comprising the steps of manufacturing a metal sheet or strip with a thickness of 0 to 3.5 mm made of an alloy with the following composition (wt %): Si: 0.60-0.85; Fe: 0.05-0.25; Cu: 0.05-0.30; Mn: 0.05-0.30; Mg: 0.50-0.00; Ti: 0.02-0.15; V: 0.00-0.15; other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, remainder aluminium, with Mg<?2.67×Si+2.87, solution heat treating and quenching, pre-tempering, ageing for 72 hours to 6 months, stamping, tempering at a temperature of around 205° C. with a dwell time of 180 to 480 minutes or tempering at an equivalent time and temperature, painting and “bake hardening” at a temperature of 150 to 190° C. for 15 to 30 min. The invention also relates to a stamped motor vehicle bodywork or shell-structure component, further referred to as “body in white” produced by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: CONSTELLIUM NEUF-BRISACH
    Inventors: Estelle Muller, Olivier Rebuffet, Guillaume Delgrange
  • Patent number: 10737308
    Abstract: A method of, and arrangement for, producing shaped hollow metal objects by a hot process. A metal hollow semi-finished-product with at least one opening is heated to a forming temperature and placed into a cavity, whose shape corresponds to the desired final external shape of the hollow object. Then the cavity is sealed and water and/or steam is introduced therein. After the final shape of the semi-finished-product is achieved, the semi-finished-product is removed. The cavity is formed by a split mould, whose opening's entry edge has an expanded portion, against which a sealing feature is oriented. The outer surface of the sealing feature is arranged to close against this expanded portion. The sealing feature is also provided with a means of supply of water and/or steam, and a tube through which the water and/or steam is supplied. This tube extends into the interior space of the semi-finished-product, and can be provided with nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Zapadoceska Univerzita v Plzni
    Inventors: Bohuslav Masek, Hana Jirková, Ctibor Stadler
  • Patent number: 10722932
    Abstract: A new method of building a vehicle wheel utilizing “hydro forming” from a solid piece of steel metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Ali Sadri, Roghayeh Rafipour
  • Patent number: 10668518
    Abstract: A machine for forming, using a pressurized fluid, and for profiling, using profiling tools, a metal tubular product, for instance a pipe, in one and the same work cycle. In particular a machine for forming a tubular product in two different portions thereof by using one injector only and forming the tubular product in two different non-adjacent portions by using two injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BERTINI MACCHINE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianni Bertini, Emilio Bertini, Modesto Bertini
  • Patent number: 10654086
    Abstract: A tensioning device for a sheet of material that includes a first ring with protrusions, a second ring, and a shaft. The first ring and the second ring are positioned such that the sheet of material can be clamped between the first ring and the second ring. The shaft has an outer surface, the outer surface includes a spiral race such that the protrusions of the first ring follow the spiral race, allowing the first ring and the second ring to displace linearly causing the sheet of material to be stretched. The spiral race includes a plurality of notches that correspond to the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ryan Bruce Anderson, Bradley Yost, Matthew Stone, Tiffany Lei
  • Patent number: 10609847
    Abstract: A method for producing a housing component with shielding from electrical and/or magnetic radiation and with an environmental seal function, is disclosed. A metal housing part is produced by folding a metal sheet. A synthetic shaped part is produced by thermoforming such that the shape of the synthetic shaped part matches the metal housing part. The synthetic shaped part is connected to the metal housing part. A method for producing a high-voltage store, a housing component with shielding from electrical and/or magnetic radiation, and a high-voltage store are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philip Raettich, Matthias Wagner
  • Patent number: 10471550
    Abstract: A device for positioning a number of function elements, each having a recess for a shaft, in a predetermined angle position on the shaft, may include a plurality of support balconies arranged one above the other, each being destined for a function element. A movable guide carriage may be configured to enable the shaft to be push the shaft from above through the recesses of the function elements. The support balconies may each include at least one gripper respectively fixing one function element. The at least one gripper may be arranged on an associated gripper carriage and may be adjustable in an x-direction and a y-direction relative to the associated gripper carriage and the support balcony. The associated gripper carriage may be mounted on the support balcony so as to be rotatable about a z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, MASCHINENBAU-SERVICE-AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK CHEMNITZ GMBH
    Inventors: Antonio Menonna, Stefan Morgenstern, Roland Schacherer
  • Patent number: 10399136
    Abstract: A cylinder holder for a hydroforming device has a substantially cuboid cylinder holder body with a hydraulic cylinder seat to which a hydraulic cylinder can be fixed. The hydraulic cylinder is configured to supply a hydroforming fluid to a workpiece to be shaped. The cylinder holder further includes a base plate to which the cylinder holder body is fixed at a predetermined angle with an anti-rotation lock unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Hamed Dardaei Joghan, Daniel Staupendahl, Andreas Henke, Thorsten Keesser, Francois Legat
  • Patent number: 10393295
    Abstract: A pipe connection structure according to one aspect of the invention is provided. The pipe connection structure includes a first pipe member and a second pipe member. A sealing portion of the first pipe member includes a first abutment surface in a tapered shape, a diameter of which is increased toward a tip of the first pipe member. An end of the second pipe member includes a second abutment surface in a tapered shape, a diameter of which is reduced toward a tip of the second pipe member. The second abutment surface is pressed and abuts against the first abutment surface. An abutment section of the second abutment surface and the first abutment surface is located on a radially inner side of an inner wall surface of the first pipe member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kato
  • Patent number: 10363593
    Abstract: A multi-forming method, wherein after a material which is heated to a warm-deformation condition in a mold is deformed to a maximum deformation depth through plastic deformation, and the deformed material which is heated to a super plasticity temperature is blow-formed by blowing gas to a final product shape, a product having a deep forming depth and complicated shape can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rae Hyeong Kim, Mun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 10357854
    Abstract: A combined cam shaft assembling method comprises the following steps: A, grinding the outer diameter of a steel pipe (2) to specified precision, and machining an inner hole of a cam sheet (1) and a signal disc to specified precision; B, pre-installing the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc onto the steel pipe (2) according to a specified sequence, distance and angle; C, utilizing a tension part (3) to penetrate through the steel pipe (2), ensuring the steel pipe (2) to be expanded, so as to fix the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc onto the steel pipe (2) and reach a specified torque. The method is carried out through a combined cam shaft assembling device. By adopting the tension part (3) to expand the steel pipe (2), the steel pipe (2) and the cam sheet (1) can be rapidly combined, the cam sheet (1) and the signal disc can be clamped onto the steel pipe (2) in a more reliable manner, and the strength of the entire cam shaft is relatively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: Mianyang Brilliance Ruian Automotive Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zuan Qin, Xianqing Xie, Wanqiang Shu, Yong Cai
  • Patent number: 10357817
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an aluminum alloy vehicle body component. An aluminum alloy billet is extruded into an aluminum tube that includes longitudinal weld seams formed in a sidewall of the tube during extrusion. A weld seam locating pip is also formed on a sidewall of the tube during extrusion. The pip is used to locate the weld seams during manufacturing of the body component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John May, S. George Luckey, Jr., Andrey M. Ilinich, Stephen Kernosky, Kiran Kumar Mallela, Brett D. Irick
  • Patent number: 10295015
    Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers are disclosed that include a monolithic body having an axis of rotation, an innermost annular wall defining a bore therethrough for receiving a shaft, and an outer annular wall concentric about the axis of rotation and spaced radially outward relative to the innermost annular wall, an inertia member concentric about the axis of rotation and positioned radially inward relative to the outer annual wall, the inertia member having an inner surface facing the axis of rotation and an outer surface facing the outermost annular wall, a first elastomer member seated against the inner surface of the inertia member, and a second elastomer member seated against the outer surface of the inertia member and in between the inertia member and the outer annular wall. The first and second elastomer members operably couple the inertia member to the monolithic body for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 10256548
    Abstract: A reconfigurable holographic antenna includes a metamaterial layer and a waveguide with at least one ridge. The metamaterial layer includes an array of tunable slots configurable to form holographic diffraction patterns. A reactance of each tunable slot in the array of tunable slots is individually tunable. The at least one ridge influences coupling between tunable slots in the array of tunable slots. The holographic diffraction patterns formed by the array of tunable slots generate a desired antenna wave in response to a received feed wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KYMETA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan A. Stevenson, Jeff Dallas, Adam Bily, Mike Slota, Mark LaCombe, Nathan Kundtz
  • Patent number: 10220427
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a press-molding apparatus capable of appropriately thickening a vertical wall portion while preventing the occurrence of buckling. [Solution] Provided is a press-molding apparatus configured to mold a press-molded product by performing press working on a work, the press-molding apparatus including: a support member that supports the work with a first thickness having a hat-shaped cross-section or a U-shaped cross-section; a punch member that moves relative to the support member to execute press working so as to reduce a height of a vertical wall portion of the work and thicken the vertical wall portion to a second thickness; and a pad member that faces the support member with the vertical wall portion to be thickened placed therebetween, the pad member being biased by a biasing member and having its distance to the support member kept equal to or smaller than the second thickness during the press working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuo Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Yoshida, Jun Nitta, Tohru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10220430
    Abstract: A new method of building a vehicle wheel utilizing “hydro forming” from a solid piece of steel metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Ali Sadri
  • Patent number: 10215172
    Abstract: A method of generating compressive residual stresses through a thickness of a metal component comprising the steps: receiving a metal base component (10), which in use is subjected to applied pressure and applying by thermal deposition cladding (16) to one or more surfaces (14) of the base component. The cladding (16) comprises one or more layers of metal or metal alloy. The method also includes, subsequent to the cladding step, applying autofrettage to the clad component thereby generating compressive residual stresses through the one or more layers of metal or metal alloy (16) and at least part way through the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Weir Group IP Limited
    Inventors: James Wood, Gladys Schnier
  • Patent number: 10201843
    Abstract: A method for forming a workpiece by stamping that allows spring back to be eliminated, wherein tooling (20) is used, at least one of the forming parts (21, 23) of which includes a cavity (26) filled with a liquid (27) and provided with electrodes (28) capable of generating at least one shock wave in the cavity and through the wall (25) of the forming part, a blank material (18) is deformed between the two forming parts under the action of a deformation pressure and, without releasing the deformation pressure, at least one shock wave is generated in the cavity so that the shock wave passes through the blank material orthogonal to its surface. The tooling (20) and a press (10) adapted to implement the method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ADM28 S.ÀR.L.
    Inventor: Gilles Avrillaud
  • Patent number: 10137487
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a blade is provided. The apparatus for manufacturing a blade includes: an arm module including a pressing unit pivoting around a first shaft; a molding module including a molding die pressed by the pressing unit and molding bulk metallic glass (BMG) to a blade; and a drawing module pulling an end portion of the BMG exposed to the outside of the molding die to form an edge of the blade, wherein the drawing module includes a pair of drawing tools pulling one end portion of the BMG in two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Jong-Kweon Park, Seung Kook Ro, Sung Cheul Lee, Shiv G. Kapoor, James Zhu
  • Patent number: 10094217
    Abstract: A construction layout for caverns of an underground nuclear power plant, including: two primary caverns accommodating nuclear reactor powerhouses, combined caverns, electric powerhouse caverns, pressure relief caverns, a first primary traffic tunnel, a second primary traffic tunnel, a third primary traffic tunnel, a top adit system, and a ground adit system. Each combined cavern is disposed on one side of each of the two primary caverns. Each electric powerhouse cavern and each pressure relief cavern are disposed on two sides of each of the two primary caverns perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mountain. Each electric powerhouse cavern is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mountain. The first primary traffic tunnel and the third primary traffic tunnel are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the mountain on outer sides of the two combined caverns, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CHANGJIANG SURVEY PLANNING DESIGN AND RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qigui Yang, Xinqiang Niu, Lijun Su, Baixing Liu, Lixin Liu, Xin Zhao, Xuehong Yang, Feng Li, Xia Hua, Xuexian Zhu, Qianlong Han, Xiao Pan, Haibo Liu
  • Patent number: 10036177
    Abstract: A method of modular pole construction an elongate modular pole structure is disclosed. A first step of the method involves providing hollow tapered pole section modules, each module having a first open end and an opposed second open end. A cross-section of the second end is less than a cross-section of the first end. The modules are stacked to form an elongated modular pole structure of a selected length by mating the second end of a first module with the first end of a second module. The first and second modules may have different structural properties, such that poles having desired structural properties can be constructed by selectively combining modules having differing structural properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: RS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Lockwood, David Chambers
  • Patent number: 10006478
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo, Randy Torrence
  • Patent number: 9962753
    Abstract: A tool is provided for preforming a metallic starter tube section for subsequent internal high pressure forming in order to produce a tubular IHF-component. The tool includes a plurality of tool sections that can move relative to one another and that delimit, between them, a shaping cavity for receiving and forming the starter tube section. The cavity has a contour which is both derived from the shape of the IHF component to be produced and adapted to the circumference of the starter tube section to be formed, such that each cavity cross section perpendicular to a cavity longitudinal axis predefined by the starter tube section corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the IHF component cross-section in the same position, reduced in its cross-sectional circumference to exactly the circumference of the starter tube section. A method is provided for producing such a tool, and a method is provided for producing a tube-like IHF component using such a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann-Stefan Lerch, Thomas Schmolke
  • Patent number: 9956653
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of a cladding body for an edge of an aerofoil, the method including the step of providing a core member shaped to include an elongate recess portion for mounting on the edge of the aerofoil, the elongate recess portion being shaped across its width to define a smoothly curved concave surface. A support member is provided; the support member has a support portion for complementary engagement with the recess portion. Both the support member and the core member are arranged between a pair of opposing membranes. The core member is bonded to each of the pair of membranes to form an intermediate cladding body, wherein the recess portion of the core member is arranged to engage, at least during the bonding step, the support portion to be supported thereby. At least the membranes are shaped using a hot forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig Wilson, Michael John Davey, David Cowherd, Stephen John Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 9950356
    Abstract: A forming device includes a gas supply part supplying a gas into a metal pipe material held and heated between a first die and a second die paired with each other. A driving mechanism moves at least one of the first die and the second die in a direction in which the dies are combined together. A first cavity part is formed between the first die and the second die to form the pipe part. A second cavity part communicates with the first cavity part to form the flange part. A flange forming member can be allowed to advance or retreat in the second cavity part, and forms the flange part. A controller controls the gas supply of the gas supply part, the driving of the driving mechanism, and the advance or retreat of the flange forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Norieda Ueno, Masayuki Saika, Takashi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9943898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot-forming and press hardening tool for producing formed sheet metal parts with at least partially high-strength properties, having a top tool with at least one die segment and a bottom tool with at least one die segment, wherein the top tool and the bottom tool are movable toward each other in a press stroke direction while forming a die cavity, wherein tempering channels are arranged in at least one die segment to feed a cooling medium, wherein the die segment of the top tool and/or the die segment of the bottom tool is split into at least two parts with a spreader device coupled to the top tool and/or the bottom tool and is movable in at least one direction of motion transverse to the press stroke direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Kettler, Oliver Dobinsky
  • Patent number: 9884360
    Abstract: A method of making a vehicular subassembly includes a step for providing a roof header comprising a hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface that includes a flange. The method also includes a step of stretch bending the member such that the outer surface is substantially in tension and curved in the short axis direction. The method further includes a step of cutting a plurality of notched elements into the flange to reduce strain from the stretch bending step. In some aspects, the step of cutting can be conducted before the stretch bending to reduce strain in the header associated with the subsequent stretch bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Joyce, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Patent number: 9855593
    Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding a metal pipe includes: a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a mold which molds the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact therewith; and a drive unit which generates a driving force for moving the mold, in which a replacement unit is replaceably provided with respect to a main body unit having at least the drive unit, and the replacement unit is configured of at least the gas supply unit and the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno, Takashi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9822908
    Abstract: A hydroform tube includes a first end and a second end. The hydroform tube includes a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side, and a fillet extending from the first side to the second side. The first side, the second side, and the fillet extend from the first end to the second end. The plurality of sides form different shapes at two cross-sections between the first end and the second end. The tube has substantially the same perimeter P at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end. The fillet has a radius R. The radius R is defined by a same formula at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Mair, Steven William Gallagher, Joshua Jacob Clement, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Jon A. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9816544
    Abstract: A method of providing an electrical grounding point on an aluminum structural member of a motor vehicle. The member is hydro-formed to produce a closed cross-section, after which a hole surrounded by a flange is formed in a wall of the member. The flange is generally the shape of a truncated cone and extends toward an interior of the member. A self-tapping fastener having a grounding lead attached thereto is driven into the hole to cut threads into the flange and secure the grounding lead to the member. The self-tapping fastener allows the grounding connection to be achieved without any access to the hollow interior of the member as would otherwise be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Michael William Danyo
  • Patent number: 9802236
    Abstract: A multi-warm forming device and the forming method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rae Hyeong Kim, Mun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9784668
    Abstract: A transducer assembly is provided. The transducer assembly includes a magnetic portion, a body, a tensile pulse transmitter, and a pulse and current control unit. The magnetic portion is configured to provide a magnetic field. The body is disposed within an opening of the magnetic portion, and has a conductive portion configured to pass electric current near a body surface oriented toward the test surface. The tensile pulse transmitter is disposed within a cavity of the body and configured to transmit a tensile pulse into the test object. The pulse and current control unit is configured to control the tensile pulse transmitted by the tensile pulse transmitter, and to provide a current that passes through the conductive portion of the body and the test object, whereby a force urging the transducer assembly and the test object toward each other is generated responsive to the magnetic field and the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John R. Hull, Keith John Davis
  • Patent number: 9776288
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an assembled camshaft for valve-controlled internal combustion engines, in which at least one cam disc with a base circle region and cam region is machined on the running surface and has a cam-disc recess, includes shrinking the cam disc onto a corresponding shaft designed with a defined dimensional overlap by cooling the shaft and heating the cam disc. Temporally before being shrunk onto the shaft, the at least one cam disc is clamped by a clamping device such that a tension force acts on the recess wall region, which defines the cam-disc recess, the tension force corresponding to a predetermined extent to the state of stresses and/or deformation state of the recess wall region after the operation of shrinking the cam disc onto the corresponding shaft. The running-surface machining of the at least one cam disc takes place when the cam disc is clamped by the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Boehme, Adrian Fink
  • Patent number: 9731487
    Abstract: A method for assembling a skin and a flange of a stiffener. The periphery of the contact between the skin and the flange of the stiffener is sealed by applying a bead of adhesive on the flange of the stiffener in contact with the skin. A first and second orifices are made in the skin. The orifices open at the interface between the skin and the flange of the stiffener. The adhesive is injected through the first orifice at the interface between the skin and the flange of the stiffener while keeping the skin in contact with the stiffener until the interface between the skin and the stiffener is completely filled with the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DAHER AEROSPACE
    Inventors: Dominique Bailly, Mathieu Hottin
  • Patent number: 9709152
    Abstract: A joined prefabricated individual cam includes multiple cams for an adjustable camshaft in particular for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The camshaft has two shafts mounted concentrically one inside the other, namely an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The joined multiple cam is fixedly pinned to the inner shaft via radial openings provided in the outer shaft with a rotatable bearing on the outer shaft. Such a multiple cam has at least one prefabricated individual cam which is placed as a cam ring on the outside circumference of a carrier pipe at an axial distance from the neighboring individual cams and is fixedly connected to this carrier pipe at a predetermined angle of rotation and axial distance assignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lechner, Mario Prokop, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 9636731
    Abstract: A punch (2) and a pad (5) are opposed to each other such that a molded portion (3a) of a metal laminate film (3) to be processed is interposed between the punch (2) and the pad (5). An enclosed space (6, 7) is compressed to raise only the temperature of the molded portion (3a) while keeping the vicinity of the molded portion (3a) at a low temperature (S1, S2). After that, the enclosed space (6, 7) is moved with respect to the molded portion (3a) to perform first molding (S3) on the molded portion (3a), and then gas in the enclosed space (6) is released to perform second molding (S4) on the molded portion (3a) by means of the punch (2) and the pad (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9630230
    Abstract: A device and a method for forming by stamping a curved metal sheet. The device includes a punch made of deformable and substantially non-compressible material, a hammer configured to strike the punch along the longitudinal axis Z. A generator to generate a magnetic field configured to impart on the hammer a speed greater than a predetermined speed in the Z direction. The device further includes a matrix of predetermined shape, approximately rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis Z. The punch is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and configured to be disposed in front of the matrix. The punch has a longitudinal dimension in the same order of magnitude as its dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ADM28 S.ÀR.L
    Inventor: Eran Plau
  • Patent number: 9610903
    Abstract: The cargo mat includes a generally flat bottom surface, a recessed top surface opposing the flat bottom surface, a first pair of parallel, opposing long sides, each long side including a plurality of long side curved portions, and a second pair of parallel, opposing short sides, each short side extending between the first pair of parallel, opposing long sides and including a short side curved portion. The cargo mat further includes a plurality of recessed portions within the recessed top surface of the cargo mat and a plurality of cavities extending from the top surface to the flat bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Khaled Jafar Al-Hasan