WIRE INLINE T TAP/SPLICE
Granted: June 19, 2008
Application Number:
20080142243
A splice enclosure is provided for enclosing a splice of a plurality of wires. The splice enclosure comprises first and second shells, a first conductor arrangement and a second conductor arrangement. The first and second shells are adapted to mate with each other and each include an interior channel that extends between ends of the first and second shells. The interior channels are capable of allowing the plurality of wires to pass through the splice enclosure. The first conductor…
Subframe-locating device
Granted: June 12, 2008
Application Number:
20080134490
The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a…
SENSING SYSTEM FOR SHEET METAL FORMING TOOL
Granted: June 12, 2008
Application Number:
20080134740
A sensing system for sensing the presence of a blank or part in the sheet metal forming tool. A blank holder assembly has a fixed bracket that is fixed to a lower die of the tool and a movable bracket that is moved with the upper die of the tool. A proximity sensor is attached to the movable bracket and senses the presence or absence of an edge of a blank or part during the course of a sheet metal forming operation.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALIDATING DATA FOR A MACHINE
Granted: June 5, 2008
Application Number:
20080133031
A system and method for validating data for a machine arrangement includes a controller, such as a programmable logic controller, connected to a processor, which is configured to execute an algorithm using the data collected by the controller. The algorithm includes one or more rules that are applicable to the collected data. Each rule is applied to the data to determine if any of the data entries violate one or more of the rules. An output is generated indicating whether the data…
SLED BUCK TESTING SYSTEM
Granted: May 29, 2008
Application Number:
20080121014
A sled carriage is configured to move in a direction of an axis and a track is attached with the sled carriage. A platform is attached with the track and a sled buck is attached with the platform. Upon acceleration of the sled carriage, the sled buck and platform move relative to the sled carriage.
VEHICLE COMPONENT SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: May 29, 2008
Application Number:
20080125895
Systems and methods to select a vehicle component are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives first configuration data defining a first vehicle assembly configuration, category data defining a component category, and component data defining a vehicle component. The system stores the configuration data and the category data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the component data satisfies a selected vehicle assembly configuration definition and whether…
HOT RUNNER MAGNESIUM CASTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080115907
A method and apparatus for the casting of metal components is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gooseneck for drawing molten metal from a crucible of hot metal and for forcing the drawn molten metal through the system, a hot runner assembly having a hot runner tip positioned adjacent the mold cavity, and a machine nozzle inserted between the gooseneck and the hot runner assembly. The gooseneck is fitted with a one-way check valve to allow for molten metal to be drawn into the plunger…
FUEL FILLER PIPE HAVING TRIGGER POINT
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080119123
A fuel filler pipe having a trigger point formed between the fuel supply port and the fuel tank. The trigger point is a trough-like depression which, if there is a structural disruption of the vehicle, will facilitate a buckling mode in the pipe and consequent energy absorption. This configuration reduces or eliminates the amount of displacement of the fuel filler pipe into the fuel tank during such structural disruption of the vehicle.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND CHANGING A BILL OF MATERIAL FOR VEHICLE COMPONENTS
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080120208
In at least one embodiment, first data from a first functional group is received describing an attribute of a first component of a bill of material, second data from a second functional group is received describing the attribute of the first component, and the first data and the second data are permitted to be inconsistent for a predefined duration.
Shield for Resistance Welding Gun
Granted: May 15, 2008
Application Number:
20080110866
A shield for a resistance welding tool is disclosed that is formed in a generally tubular bellows-like configuration. The shield is flexible so that it may be compressed upon engagement with an object to be welded and thereby shield the area around one side of the object to be welded. The shield includes a neck that is secured to one of the weld tips and a mouth that engages the object to be welded. An undulating wall is provided between the neck and the mouth of the shield.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSLATING BILL OF MATERIAL INFORMATION FOR VEHICLE COMPONENTS
Granted: May 15, 2008
Application Number:
20080114660
Systems and methods are provided for translating between bills of material based on an identifier associated with a component definition and a function definition. The component definition and the function definition are a component and function definition for a bill of material such that another component from that bill of material having a different function does not satisfy the component and function definition.
METHOD OF FORMING A SURFACE FINISHED WORKPIECE FOR A VEHICLE FROM A METAL SHEET
Granted: May 15, 2008
Application Number:
20080110224
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a surface finished workpiece for a vehicle from a metal sheet is provided. The workpiece is machined, which generates string chips having a desired maximum length for removal from the workpiece. The method comprises stamping the metal sheet into a blank having an edge with a contour, wherein the edge includes a plurality of interrupting segments spaced apart. Stamping the blank into the workpiece. Machining at least…
Process for Making Reusable Tooling
Granted: May 8, 2008
Application Number:
20080105996
A reusable, low investment tool for making parts is made by a process in which a mixture of sand and an activator is applied as a layer onto which a printed resin is deposited to form a base and a pattern. A plurality of sidewalls may also be provided on the base using the same process. The tool is coated with a curable resin to form a protective shell. The reusable tool may be used as a dump box or as a vacuum forming tool for forming parts. A stamping die may be formed by drawing a…
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING SURFACE APPEARANCE OF A SURFACE
Granted: April 17, 2008
Application Number:
20080091360
The embodiments described herein include a system and method for measuring a surface appearance of a surface. An appearance sensor is positionable about a surface and is configured to measure the surface appearance. A surface relationship sensor senses the distance between the appearance sensor and the surface. The appearance sensor is then positioned about the surface based on the sensed distance.
VARIABLE PERMEABILITY INDUCTOR CRE STRUCTURES
Granted: March 27, 2008
Application Number:
20080074230
An inductor L may include a core 140 that has a member 141 with multiple material zones 142. The material zones 142 have associated saturation flux density and permeability. A winding 194 is coupled to the member 141 and is configured for magnetic flux generation in the core 140. An inductor 180 may also or alternatively include a core 192, which has a member 198 with a gap 188, and a permeability-varying member 182. The core 192 has a first saturation flux density. The…
BLADED DIE FOR SELF-PIERCING RIVET
Granted: March 20, 2008
Application Number:
20080066286
An apparatus for riveting two or more sheets together that includes a punch and a die. The die has an expandable cavity that is formed by a tip and a plurality of movable blades. The blades are retained on the die, in part, by an elastomeric blade collar that biases the blades inwardly toward the tip. A method of riveting a plurality of sheets together with the apparatus is also disclosed.
REMANUFACTURED PART CORE RETURN PROCESS AND SYSTEM
Granted: March 20, 2008
Application Number:
20080071410
One aspect of the present invention is a computer-implemented method for processing remanufactured part cores. The method includes receiving manufactured part core inventory information. The inventory information can include an inventory forecast and an inventory level for a number of parts. The method further includes receiving a part number of a part to be processed. The part to be processed is a member of the number of parts. The method further includes receiving one or more business…
OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: March 13, 2008
Application Number:
20080063239
The embodiments described herein include an object detection system and method for identifying objects within an area. In one embodiment, the objection detection system may formulate an outline of a detected object and generate a three-dimensional shape or image of the object. Object information may be used to determine and communicate the position, range, and bearing of the object.
TOOL SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: March 13, 2008
Application Number:
20080065258
Systems and methods to select a tool are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives first tool data defining a first tool and requirement data defining a requirement of a process to be performed within a manufacturing facility. The system stores the first tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the first tool data satisfies a selected requirement definition and outputs a first representation of the first tool if the first tool data satisfies the…
LOCATION SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: March 13, 2008
Application Number:
20080065260
Systems and methods to select a location to perform a process are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The system stores the tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition. The system outputs a representation of the tool's location…
