Control Means Responsive To Or Actuated By Means Sensing Or Detecting A Condition Or Material Triggered Patents (Class 425/135)
  • Patent number: 11964424
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus (100) for making a stereolithographic object (122). Also disclosed herein are methods for making a stereolithographic object (122), a method for locating the position of debris, a method for characterising the viscosity of the material (104), and a method for monitoring consumption of a material (104) for making a stereolithographic object (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Justin Elsey
  • Patent number: 11865770
    Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects which irradiation device (2) comprises at least two irradiation units (3, 4), comprising: guiding one of the at least two energy beams (6, 10) via the corresponding irradiation unit (3, 4) to a determination region (15), preferably a part of a build plane (8), for generating a calibration pattern (18, 19); imaging at least one part of the determination region (15) to an on-axis determination unit (12, 14) of the at least one other irradiation unit (3, 4); determining a position of the calibration pattern (18, 19) in the determination region (15) on basis of the image of the at least one part of the determination region (15); generating calibration information relating to a calibration status of at least one part of the irradiation device (2) based on the position of the calibration pattern (18, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Klaußner, Christian Dicken, Bertram Gärber
  • Patent number: 11806907
    Abstract: A plasticizing device includes a plasticizing cylinder and a plasticizing screw arranged in the plasticizing cylinder. The plasticizing screw is rotatable about, and linearly movable along, a longitudinal axis. The plasticizing screw comprises a functioning section. A sensor is arranged in or on the plasticizing cylinder, and a distance to the surface of the functioning section of the plasticizing screw can be measured by the sensor. A detecting device can detect a type of the functioning section and/or an operating state of the functioning section, can detect a distance signal progression by a movement of the functioning section relative to the sensor, can compare the detected distance signal progression with a stored distance signal progression, and can issue a signal representing the type of functioning section and/or the operating state of the functioning section depending on a matching of the detected distance signal progression with a stored distance signal progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ENGEL AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Zeidlhofer, Guenther Klammer
  • Patent number: 11806926
    Abstract: A printing system for producing at least one three dimensional (3D) printed part is described. The printing system includes a deposition system configured to continuously deposit a layer onto a cylinder to outwardly extend a diameter of the cylinder, wherein the layer comprises a first pattern. The printing system also includes a rotating system configured to rotate the cylinder, and a control system configured to synchronize the deposition system with the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ashish V. Pattekar, Warren Jackson, Anne Plochowietz, Jengping Lu, Jamie Kalb, Christopher L. Chua, Carolyn Moorlag, Eugene Beh
  • Patent number: 11731360
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, with a stream generating unit (2) configured to generate a stream of a process gas (3) being capable of being charged with particles (4), in particular non-consolidated particulate build material and/or smoke and/or smoke residues, generated during operation of the apparatus (1) and a filter unit (5) configured to separate particles (4) from the stream of process gas (3), wherein the filter unit (5) comprises a filter chamber (6) with at least one filter element (7) at least partly arranged in the streaming path of the generated stream of process gas (3), wherein particles (4) in the stream of process gas (3) are separated from the process gas (3) by the filter element (7), wherein a particle reception chamber (13, 26, 28) is separably connected or connectable to a particle outlet (11
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Christian Diller, Ulrich Albanus, Payam Daneschwar
  • Patent number: 11678675
    Abstract: A patty forming machine configured to mold food products, and its method of use, is provided. The patty forming machine includes a stripper plate through which food product is configured to pass when the stripper plate is in a fill position, a sensor configured to determine positions of the stripper plate, a movable mold, and a sensor configured to determine positions of the mold. A processor is operatively coupled with the sensors. The processor is configured to receive information from the sensors and to determine when the stripper plate is to be moved from the non-fill position to the fill position relative to a determined position of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Wouter Bart Erné
  • Patent number: 11654604
    Abstract: In the present invention, constructed is a highly reliable system that does not allow unforeseen conditions to occur in the remote diagnosis of a clamp device. All combinations of status of a state detection switch mounted on a clamp device are anticipated in advance by a recursive method, and the states are defined with no omissions. A control unit 9 includes: a main body memory 9c that stores the ON/OFF state of a state switch together with the status of an injection molding machine main body, the clamp status and time information; and a main body communication unit 9d which is capable of short-range wireless communication. A message diagnosing a failure is stored in a smartphone 12 for all combinations of the ON/OFF state of the state detection switch for each of the following cases: whether in mold replacement mode or not; and whether a clamp device is in a clamped state or an unclamped state, or in a state other than the forgoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Masakazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11590701
    Abstract: Systems and methods that prevent oxygen inhibition of a light-initiated polymerization reaction by forcing the oxygen away from the reaction surfaces. In some embodiments, oxygen is purged by bringing a planarizing surface (e.g., a thin transparent film and/or a transparent planar surface) into contact with a layer of UV curable material disposed on a workpiece and then moving the planarizing surface away from the workpiece one the UV material is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: IO Tech Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Zenou, Ziv Gilan, Daniel Liptz, Yuval Shai
  • Patent number: 11571857
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of a build material, comprising a build material removal device (3) with at least one build material removal unit (4) adapted to remove non-consolidated build material (5) surrounding an additively built object (2), wherein the build material removal device (3) comprises a build material removal chamber (6) delimiting a build material removal volume (7), wherein the build material removal chamber (6) is arranged or arrangeable above the object (2), wherein the object (2) is successively moveable into the build material removal chamber (6), wherein the at least one build material removal unit (4) is adapted to remove non-consolidated build material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Patent number: 11458543
    Abstract: A powder module for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a powder chamber limiting a powder room that can be filled with powdered construction material and a carrying device arranged in the powder room and limiting the powder room at the bottom, wherein between at least one powder chamber wall limiting the powder room and the carrying device a gap extending at least partially along the powder chamber wall limiting the powder room is formed, through which powdered construction material from the powder room can enter a powder module section lying below the carrying device, wherein the gap opens out into a receiving section of a receiving element arranged or formed on the powder chamber, wherein the receiving section is formed as or comprises an especially ring-shaped circumferential flow channel structure provided for receiving construction material from the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Frank Schödel, Florian Bechmann
  • Patent number: 11141896
    Abstract: An injection molding system capable of easily calculating relative position information between a movable part of an injection molding machine and a movable part of a peripheral device is provided. A first control unit 110 of an injection molding machine 2 calculates first relative position information which is relative position information of a first movement position M1 set to a movable part 50 in relation to a first reference position K1 set to a first connection portion 80. A second control unit 210 of a robot 3 calculates second relative position information which is relative position information of a second movement position M2 set to a hand 65 in relation to a second reference position K2 set to a second connection portion 85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuhiro Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 11109139
    Abstract: A system includes a medium disposed on a base, a plurality of transducers coupled to the base, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of transducers such that each individual transducer of the plurality of transducers is individually addressable by the controller. The controller is configured to receive feedback and to instruct at least some of the individual transducers of the plurality of transducers to activate to move the medium on the base to create a shaped surface based on the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Blum
  • Patent number: 11046930
    Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, including three-dimensional cellular structures, are provided. The system comprises at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a sheath fluid and a hydrogel, the print head comprising an orifice for dispensing the materials, microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials, fluidic switches corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels; a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Simon T Beyer, Konrad Walus, Tamer Mohamed, Anas Amjad Mohammad Bsoul
  • Patent number: 11040400
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing facility operating in an automated and contained manner. The facility includes a containment chamber inside which a plurality of additive manufacturing machines is installed, each machine comprising a manufacturing chamber, inside the containment chamber, a supply device and a supply circuit for supplying the various machines of the facility with an additive manufacturing powder, a conveying device for conveying additive manufacturing container/tray assemblies comprising at least one conveying chamber circulating between the various machines, and (4) a cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning chamber for cleaning, in an automated and contained manner, the additive manufacturing trays in the cleaning chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Albin Effernelli, Gilles Walrand, Frédéric Pialot, Christian Geay
  • Patent number: 11013184
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber, a plunger at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, a connecting rod coupled to the plunger, where the connecting rod defines a fluid volume therein, a sensor in fluid communication with and configured to send signals indicating the fluid pressure within the fluid volume of the connecting rod, and a controller in operable communication with the sensor and configured to determine the magnitude of a force being applied to the plunger at least partially based on a signal received from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11013240
    Abstract: A patty forming machine is configured to mold food products. The machine includes a stripper plate through which food product is configured to pass when the stripper plate is in a fill position, a sensor configured to determine positions of the stripper plate, a movable mold, and a sensor configured to determine positions of the mold. A processor is operatively coupled with the sensors. The processor is configured to receive information from the sensors and to determine when the stripper plate is to be moved from the non-fill position to the fill position relative to a determined position of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Wouter Bart Erné
  • Patent number: 10960601
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling system for creating an object having a printhead having a tubular feed member and a nozzle having a nozzle outlet for dispensing modeling material. The tubular feed member having a feed channel for feeding the modeling material to the nozzle outlet. The system further having modeling material feeding means arranged at an end of the tubular feed member opposite of the nozzle, wherein the modeling material feeding means are arranged for exerting a pressure on the modeling material within the feed channel towards the nozzle. The system further having a pressure determining means for determining a first parameter indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material. The system further having a control system arranged for controlling the modeling material feeding means based on the determined first parameter indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material. A method of three-dimensional modeling using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BOND HIGH PERFORMANCE 3D TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Jonathan Bruggeman, Adrianus Bruggeman, Martijn Johannes Wölbers, Kevin Hendrik Jozef Voss, Bouwe Kuiper, Jan Teun Bartelds, Koendert Hendrik Kuit, Klaas Groen
  • Patent number: 10940638
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The additive manufacturing system may include a matrix reservoir, a primary nozzle fluidly connected to the matrix reservoir, and a primary cure enhancer operatively connected to at least one of the matrix reservoir and the primary nozzle. The primary cure enhancer may be configured to direct a cure energy toward a tip of the primary nozzle. The additive manufacturing system may also include an auxiliary nozzle, an arm configured to mount the auxiliary nozzle at a trailing side of the primary nozzle, and a passage extending from the matrix reservoir to the auxiliary nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Continuous Composites inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C Stockett
  • Patent number: 10906222
    Abstract: An injection molding machine for molding a molded article includes a display device, and a support mechanism configured to support the display device on a molding machine body. The support mechanism includes a first bracket attached to the display device, a second bracket attached to the molding machine body, and a slider provided between the first bracket and the second bracket and configured to support the first bracket so as to be movable relative to the second bracket in a mold opening and closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Maki
  • Patent number: 10850327
    Abstract: Devices for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object from powdered material include a main body providing an object forming chamber and, within a front wall, an opening for accessing the object forming chamber. A work surface delimits the object forming chamber and includes a build platform section for manufacturing thereon the three-dimensional object. A door is provided at the front wall and positionable in a closed state to seal the opening or in an opened state to provide access to the object forming chamber. The devices include a gas flow system for providing a gas flow across the build platform section and including a main body section extending within the main body and a door section being part of the door and including an opening structure arranged to release gas to, or to receive gas from, above the build platform section in the closed state of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF SISMA S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fausto Riva, Sergio Canaglia
  • Patent number: 10828819
    Abstract: In the adjusting method of the extrusion rate, a perforated plate is superimposed on and attached to a forming die, the perforated plate includes a plurality of through hole portions, the adjusting method includes a perforated plate group consisting of a plurality of perforated plates which are different in degree of diameter decrease of the hole diameter, and the adjusting method includes a trial extrusion step of extruding the forming material to form a trial honeycomb formed body, a shape measuring step of measuring a shape of a formed body end face of the trial honeycomb formed body, and a perforated plate selecting step of selecting the perforated plate to be suitably attached to the forming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ito, Kazuhiko Hamatsuka
  • Patent number: 10787352
    Abstract: An unpacking system for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement. The building chamber arrangement comprises a building chamber accommodating a carrier, the carrier being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism of the unpacking system is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber so as to lower the building chamber relative to the carrier until a three-dimensional work piece received on the carrier can be removed from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SLM Solutions Group AG
    Inventors: Karsten Huebinger, Toni Adam Krol, Dieter Schwarze, Eduard Gieser
  • Patent number: 10744561
    Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional deposition device, including: a powder supply unit which supplies a powder material; a light irradiation unit which irradiates the powder material with a light beam so that the powder material irradiated with the light beam is sintered or melted and solidified to form a formed layer; a three-dimensional deposition chamber which is sealed from an outside and accommodates the powder supply unit, the light irradiation unit, and a base unit; a gas discharge unit which discharges a gas inside the three-dimensional deposition chamber; and a gas introduction unit which introduces a predetermined gas into the three-dimensional deposition chamber. When the gas discharge unit discharges a gas inside the three-dimensional deposition chamber and the gas introduction unit introduces a predetermined gas thereinto, a predetermined gas atmosphere is formed inside the three-dimensional deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 10675813
    Abstract: A device for forming 3D bodies, in particular pieces of furniture, by additive material application. In particular, the device has a support, on which the volume body is formed, an application unit, for building up the 3D body on the support by additive application of material, and a tool carrier with a tool holder, in which the application unit is mounted. The tool carrier is in this case designed in such a way that the application unit mounted in the tool holder can be aligned in five directions by moving the tool holder with respect to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Homag Bohrsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Bettermann, Niklas Rasche
  • Patent number: 10635084
    Abstract: In a numerical control system including a numerical controller having a tool database and a tool catalog database which can be referred to from the numerical controller, the tool catalog database has tool catalog data including first cutting condition data, and the tool database has tool data including second cutting condition data to be used for machining. After execution of the machining, the numerical controller updates the first cutting condition data to be stored in the tool catalog database based on the second cutting condition data stored in the tool database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Saitou
  • Patent number: 10603817
    Abstract: An automated mold change system, for use with a concrete products machine of a type having a products forming section and a feedbox assembly section, includes a mold exchange assembly coupled to an underside of the feedbox assembly section and vertically moveable therewith, a mold transfer assembly on an opposed side of the products forming section from the feedbox assembly section, and mounts on the products forming section configured to retain a mold assembly thereon. A mold exchange path runs axially between the mold exchange assembly and the mounts on the products forming section and intersects a mold transfer path of the mold transfer assembly at a load-unload position, wherein the mold exchange assembly is configured to lift a mold off of the mounts and onto the mold transfer assembly at the load-unload position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Columbia Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Gildersleeve, Allen Aaseth
  • Patent number: 10399263
    Abstract: An injection molding cell management system includes a plurality of injection molding cell each having an injection molding machine, its peripheral device and an injection molding cell management unit and a host management unit. The injection molding cell management unit includes a worker identification information input unit, which accepts input of worker identification information for identifying a worker who performs input and/or operation of the injection molding machine and its peripheral device, and a prohibition state releasing unit which releases a prohibition state of the input and/or operation of the injection molding machine and its peripheral device, based on the worker identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akimasa Matsuo, Tatsuhiro Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10372035
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which forms a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate by using a mold, the apparatus comprising: a generator configured to generate ionized gas by ionizing a first gas; a supplier configured to supply a second gas including the ionized gas generated by the generator to a space under the mold; and a controller configured to control a flow rate of the second gas supplied by the supplier to the space, wherein the controller increases the flow rate of the second gas supplied from the supplier to the space so as to reduce a decrease in an ion concentration in the space caused by moving the substrate from the space after the mold is separated from the cured imprint material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10165139
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an operation unit, and a moving mechanism. The operation unit is mounted to the apparatus main body. The operation unit indicates a state of the apparatus main body and performs an input operation to the apparatus main body. The moving mechanism reciprocatably supports the operation unit between a reference position and a retracted position. The reference position overlaps a work area of the apparatus main body. The retracted position does not overlap the work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 10112336
    Abstract: A planetary roller extruder with planetary spindles and stop ring. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Entex Rust & Mitschke GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Rust
  • Patent number: 10072357
    Abstract: A system and method for producing bio composite materials by mixing pelletized plant fiber dust and virgin or recycled plastic. The system may comprise a reducer, a press, a dryer, a pelletizer, and a mixer. The reducer separates the fibers of the plant material and the press removes liquid from the separated fibers. The dryer further reduces the moisture content of the pressed fibers and generates dust which is extracted by sifting, screening, or another suitable method. The pelletizer compresses and/or treats the fiber dust with solutions, adhesives, or other processes that cause the fiber dust to adhere together. The fiber dust pellets are then mixed with virgin or recycled plastic to produce a bio composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GEOPHIA, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitrios G. Hondroulis, William W. Gorman
  • Patent number: 9989355
    Abstract: A linear stage moves a laser along the collection plate of an electrospinning device. The stage supports the laser that is moved through the electrospinning/electrospraying deposition field by a continuous rotation servo motor. Stage movement is controlled by a control unit. Signal voltages collected are sectioned into concentric layers so that the extinction coefficient for each layer can be calculated without including the extinction coefficient from the previous layer. The extinction coefficients were used in the Beer-Lambert law to determine the diameter of fibers being deposited on the collection plate as well as the concentration of fibers deposited indicating deposition speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jack L. Skinner, Joshua D. Beisel, Marvin J. Franson, Bryce Hill
  • Patent number: 9919778
    Abstract: Conventional ship launching airbags are made of several layers of rubber and fiber meshes bonded together by vulcanization. With the existing fabrication process, an airbag is strong in standing heavy pressure at its surfaces, but weak against the cutting by sharp edges of metal debris or oyster shells. An airbag's functional failure during a field operation can cause not only stoppage, but also explosion, hence a serious safety hazard. To overcome such structural weakness, a new type of airbags with anti-cutting capability is disclosed in which a conventional ship launching airbag is covered with a layer of anti-cutting armor made of steel cord ply sheets, a standard off-the-shelf product for the making of tires, embedded at the surface of the airbag's main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Shandong Nanhai Airbag Engineering Co. LTD.
    Inventor: William Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 9644295
    Abstract: A centrifugal electrospinning apparatus, centrifugal electrospinning method for the production of fibrous structures, and electrospun fibrous structures are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Miqin Zhang, Ashleigh Cooper, Dennis Edmondson
  • Patent number: 9555570
    Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count with an actuator sending a count signal to a processor following a mold operation. The monitor further includes a timer having an active mode and a sleep mode. The processor generates an average cycle time and an activity percentage of the mold taking into account active and sleep periods of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Progressive Components International Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Starkey
  • Patent number: 9403336
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a screw crusher may utilize a cantilevered screw with an inverse tapered shaft with flighting for conveying the product up the length of the shaft for compression. The screw may include an end flight configured to provide thrust to the product for further conveyance beyond the end of the screw or additional compaction when utilized with a receiving container. An exemplary embodiment of the screw crusher may utilize a single moving element in relation to a cylindrical tube for compression of the product. Also, an exemplary screw compactor may utilize a fixed replaceable restrictor tube section and an efficient screw design making it more cost effective and efficient to operate than other known compactors. Furthermore, an example of the screw crusher may be fitted with perforated or the preferred “V” Slotted tube to perform liquid removal in addition to the compaction of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Mark E. Koenig, Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9366339
    Abstract: A vehicle shift control device includes: a parking lock device selectively switched by driving of an electric motor between a lock position restraining rotation of wheels and a non-lock position not restraining the rotation of the wheels; and an electronic control device controlling the electric motor, the vehicle shift control device providing a parking lock switching control of selectively switching the parking lock device between the lock position and the non-locking position in an activated state of the electronic control device, wherein if the electronic control device is switched from the deactivated state to the activated state, the vehicle shift control device provides a wall abutment control of driving the parking lock device with the electric motor to a mechanical displacement end before starting the provision of the parking lock switching control, and if a temperature of the electric motor is lower than a predefined low-temperature determination value, the vehicle shift control device provides an e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kamada, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Naoki Itazu, Yusuke Nakade, Kazumi Endo
  • Patent number: 9238326
    Abstract: It is intended to correct print pitches P at which a pattern A is printed on a plastic film 1 repeatedly. A first optical sensor detects positions at which the pattern A is printed on the plastic film 1 repeatedly, to measure the print pitches P individually. A first stretching device 4 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the print pitch P to correct the print pitches P individually. A second optical sensor detects the positions after correcting the print pitch P to measure a sum of print pitches P(1)+P(2)+ - - - +P(N) of a number of patterns A. A second stretching device 10 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the sum of print pitches to correct the sum of print pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOTANI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 9149046
    Abstract: A tortilla press assembly is provided having an actuating mechanism for actuating the push plate along an actuating axis between a loading position and a forming position. The actuating mechanism includes arm having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion that extends over the base plate. A crank extends between the crank shaft and the vertical portion of the arm to enable the push plate to engage and disengage from dough in a smooth manner to ensure proper formation of a tortilla shell, which can include an embossed pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin McCarney
  • Publication number: 20150147422
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine, a control instruction value change unit decreases a control instruction value for each axis when a power outage is detected by a power outage detection unit and returns the control instruction value for each axis to an original value when a power recovery is detected by the power outage detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Junpei MARUYAMA
  • Patent number: 9031682
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens supplying system for supplying an eyeglass lens to a plurality of eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyer line units, each of which includes: at least one conveyer line conveying a tray; a tray moving unit separating at least two trays from the conveyer line to move the trays to standby positions, and put the tray on the conveyer line; and a control unit obtaining processing information from a host computer; a carrying-in conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a carrying-out conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a main control unit communicating with each of the control units, and determines the processing apparatus to process the lens in the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit, or determines the conveyer line unit to convey the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoshi Tanaka, Yuya Nakako
  • Publication number: 20150123300
    Abstract: A determination method for determining a pattern of a mold is disclosed. The pattern of the mold is used in imprint processing of forming a pattern on imprint material by performing the steps of pressing the imprint material on a substrate against the pattern of the mold in an atmosphere containing condensable gas to be liquefied due to compression, curing the imprint material, and releasing the mold from the imprint material. A processor calculates a shrinkage amount of the pattern on the imprint material. The pattern on the imprint material shrinks by desorbing condensate liquid, which is produced through liquefaction of the condensable gas between the imprint material and the pattern of the mold in the pressing step and which is dissolved in the imprint material, from the imprint material after completion of the pressing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Masayuki Tanabe, Setsuo Yoshida, Keita Sakai, Hitoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 9022764
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing an irrigation pipe comprises an extrusion unit, a calibrator unit, a cooling unit for cooling the irrigation pipe in a cooling liquid, and a traction unit for drawing the irrigation pipe in the cooling unit. The cooling unit comprises a device for detecting holes in the wall of the irrigation pipe and arranged for being immersed in the cooling liquid. The device for detecting holes comprises at least one optical transmitter and at least one optical receiver which define an optical barrier. The device is arranged so that the holes in the irrigation pipe located below the device produce gas bubbles which modify the optical barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Maillefer S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Wisler, Jean-Charles Zaramella
  • Patent number: 8992202
    Abstract: Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Pettis
  • Patent number: 8992201
    Abstract: A cooling equipment to be used to cool a stator after molding includes first to third cooling stations, and a detecting station provided in front of the first cooling station. Each of the cooling stations includes a plurality of nozzles that spray dry mist to the stator, a plurality of fans that blow air to the stator, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the stator, and first to third control units. Furthermore, the detecting station includes a distance sensor that detects the size of the stator, and an integration control unit. The integration control unit identifies the type of the stator based on the detected size, and informs each control unit of the results. Each control unit controls the quantity of water to be supplied to each nozzle and the quantity of air to be blown by each fan based on the identified type and the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Saigo, Kenji Harada, Masaru Hirako, Hideaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8985987
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin pellets of uniform shape. The apparatus includes a batch-type polymerization vessel whose inner pressure can be controlled; a pelletizer for cutting a strand-form thermoplastic resin discharged from the polymerization vessel, thereby forming pellets; a pipe for transferring the pellets to a storage container by pneumatic transportation or suction transportation; a pressure differential measuring unit for determining variation in a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the transfer pipe; and a pressure controlling unit for controlling the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel on the basis of the variation in the measured pressure difference; wherein the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel is controlled in relation to a pressure loss in the transfer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shinohara, Tomomichi Kanda, Hideyuki Kurose, Minoru Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20150061166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing custom-made spectacles comprising a scanning unit and a producing unit, wherein the scanning unit is configured for scanning at least a part of a customer's face and wherein the producing unit comprises at least a printing device for printing a spectacle lens and/or a spectacle frame, wherein the printing device is configured for printing the spectacle lens and/or the spectacle frame in dependency of scanning data of the scanning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Van De Vrie, Joris Biskop
  • Publication number: 20150061170
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Richard H. KNEBEL, Marcin B. BAUZA, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ, Tobias HELD
  • Publication number: 20150035184
    Abstract: A substrate manufacturing facility includes a lower molding plate and an upper molding plate. A resin supply tray provides resin powder to a top surface of the lower molding plate. The lower and upper molding plates may compress a substrate and the resin powder. The upper molding plate has multiple apertures. The apertures are densely formed on a front side of the upper molding plate. The front side of the upper molding plate contacts the substrate. The apertures have diameters smaller than diameters of the resin powder. The substrate manufacturing facility includes a vacuum pump, a ventilator, a conduit, a controller, and valves. The substrate manufacturing facility can adsorb a circuit board using adsorption pressure from the vacuum pump and clean residue from the upper molding using exhaustion pressure from the ventilator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gwangsick KIM, JaeYong PARK
  • Publication number: 20150037447
    Abstract: An extruder having an operative unit having a cylinder and at least one extruder screw which is removably accommodated therein, a motor and a gear unit which is separated from the motor via a clutch and which drives the extruder screw, wherein the extruder screw is releasably connected to the gear unit, and a controller installation which controls the operation of the motor or at least of a further installation which is provided. The operative unit or is assigned to the operative unit, wherein at least one information element which identifies the extruder screw and which, during or after insertion of the extruder screw into the cylinder or connection to the gear unit, is automatically acquirable by a sensor element, is provided on the extruder screw, wherein the controller installation, depending on the acquired information, controls the operation of the motor or of the further installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Rechter, Sven Wolf