Maximally standard automatic completion using a multi-valued decision diagram
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10318703
A system is provided with a memory device adapted to store at least one multi-valued decision diagram (MDD) that specifies a total buildable space and a processor that is programmed to identify a partial configuration; generate a restricted buildable space of the total buildable space; and identify families to complete. The processor is further programmed to, for each family to complete in priority order, add any available standard features for the family to a possible set, if the…
Multi-valued decision diagram reversible restriction
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10318702
A system is provided with a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store a cached copy of data representative of a multi-valued decision diagram (MDD). The MDD indicates a Boolean function specifying a buildable space of all possible configurations of features of a vehicle. The processor is in communication with the memory, and programmed to generate a working copy of the data from the cache. The processor is further programmed to generate a restricted buildable space in the…
Resolving configuration conflicts using a multi-valued decision diagram
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10318701
A system is provided with a memory device and a processor. The memory device is adapted to store data representative of a multi-valued decision diagram (MDD) specifying a buildable space of all possible configurations of a vehicle. The processor is in communication with the memory and is programmed to identify an invalid configuration, and to generate a restricted buildable space, including to determine an edit distance of each complete path indicative of a number of features to change…
Mobility unit, motor vehicle, carrier, and small vehicle
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10315584
There is provided a carrier that fits on a motor vehicle and receives a small vehicle. The carrier includes a console on which the small vehicle can be arranged. According to the disclosure, the carrier also includes a carrier coupling component that is constructed to be connected in a positive-locking manner to a small vehicle coupling component of the small vehicle, above the console. The motor vehicle having the carrier and the small vehicle forms a mobility unit according to the…
Integrated robotic press and reaction frame
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10315280
A press frame for a robot system includes a base, a bridge and a set of columns supporting the bridge above the base. A first robot holds a part on the base and a second robot manipulates a pressing tool to press a component into an opening. The pressing tool is backed by the bridge that opposes a reaction force resulting from pressing the component part into the part. A method of assembling components to a part by pressing the part into an opening while engaging the bridge of a reaction…
Method of machining an opening in a plurality of blanks
Granted: June 11, 2019
Patent Number:
10315243
A method and a system are disclosed for making an article of manufacture from a blank defining an internal opening. A stack of blanks are aligned and the internal openings of the blanks in the stack of blanks are machined by a rotary cutting tool to a finished dimension. The blanks are clamped together before machining in a numerically controlled machine tool. The blanks are subsequently formed individually in a sheet metal forming operation in which the inner perimeter of the internal…
Method and system for selectively softening hot stamped parts by induction heating
Granted: June 4, 2019
Patent Number:
10308992
A method and system are disclosed for treating a press hardened part by induction heating localized areas of the part to have reduced hardness. The method and system monitor an ambient temperature, cycle time, outgoing part property requirements, and outgoing part hardness in local areas. A time value and temperature value are set by a computer system for a plurality of induction heaters. A local area of the part is induction heated to soften the part in localized areas. The hardness of…
Fastening system and method using a compressible sleeve
Granted: May 28, 2019
Patent Number:
10302107
An exemplary fastening system includes, among other things, a first component providing a first aperture, a second component providing a second aperture, and a fastener. The fastener has a shaft extending from a head. The shaft extends along an axis through the first aperture and the second aperture to clamp the first component axially between the head and the second component. A compressible sleeve distributed about the shaft is compressed radially by the first component. An exemplary…
Vehicle tailgate
Granted: May 28, 2019
Patent Number:
10300964
A vehicle tailgate includes a laterally extending internal panel, laterally extending external panel, laterally extending support beam, and patches of anti-flutter adhesive. The laterally extending internal and external panels are spaced apart relative to each other. The laterally extending support beam is disposed between the internal and external panels, is secured to the internal panel, and has a plurality of spaced apart embossments that extend toward the external panel. The patches…
Device for scraping debris from metal wire
Granted: May 7, 2019
Patent Number:
10279384
A device and related method for removing debris from a metal wire formed by a process utilizing a lubricant is provided. The device includes at least two segments forming a passage through which the wire passes, each having a leading edge for stripping debris from the wire, and a resilient member positioned around the at least two segments and applying a force to the segments sufficient to cause contact between the leading edges and the wire passing through the passage. The method…
Major diameter total runout gage for an external spline
Granted: April 30, 2019
Patent Number:
10274303
A device and method for measuring dimensional variation of a part, particularly total runout, is provided. The device includes an indicator check body, a clamping device within the indicator check body and an end cap that engages the indicator check body and the clamping device. When the indicator check body and the clamping device are engaged, the device is secured to the part allowing dimensional variations to be measured along the surface of the indicator check body.
System and method of making a cast part
Granted: April 23, 2019
Patent Number:
10266907
A system and method of making a part. The part may cast in a die. A gripper assembly may be provided that has a gripper and a spray nozzle that provides a fluid. The part may be quenched with a fluid when the part is in the die.
Flexible pressing system
Granted: April 23, 2019
Patent Number:
10265814
An integrated control system for a flexible pressing system may include a first robot including a gripper for manipulating a part, a second robot including a pressing tool, and a controller configured to instruct the first robot to move the part into a pressing position and to instruct the second robot to concurrently ready the pressing tool for pressing.
Aluminum dust collection and compacting apparatus
Granted: April 16, 2019
Patent Number:
10259184
An apparatus for collecting dust from a cutting unit is provided. The apparatus includes a rotary valve operatively connected to the cutting unit, a conduit in fluid communication with the rotary valve, and a compacting machine disposed downstream from the conduit and configured to receive dust from the conduit. A blower is configured to pull air downstream to carry the dust into the compacting machine. The compacting machine produces a compact from the dust.
System and method for visually aligning terahertz light beam
Granted: April 9, 2019
Patent Number:
10254219
A system for measuring a coating thickness on a target surface includes a terahertz spectroscopy device and a reference image projector. The terahertz spectroscopy device includes a radiation head that is operable to project a terahertz radiation beam onto the target surface and receive a reflected beam. The reference image projector includes a visible light device and is operable to project a reference image using the visible light device onto the target surface. A visual characteristic…
Method for cold-start of fuel cell stack
Granted: April 2, 2019
Patent Number:
10249890
Methods and systems are provided for cold-start of fuel cell stack in fuel cell vehicles. In one example, a method may include in response to cold-start of fuel cell vehicle, limiting the load drawn from the fuel cell stack. In addition, a coolant pump may be operated at a higher rate through a bypass loop to get heat quickly to the fuel cell stack to increase the solubility of water in the fuel cell stack to prevent ice formation. The net effect is that the fuel cell stack is then…
Fluid application system adapted to collect and reuse reclaimed fluid
Granted: March 26, 2019
Patent Number:
10239088
A fluid application system includes a source of a fluid and a first pump for supplying the fluid under pressure to an applicator having a nozzle for dispensing the fluid. A fluid collection system collects reclaimed fluid dispensed from the applicator and a second pump provides the reclaimed fluid under pressure to a return fluid pipe. The return fluid pipe has a valve system that selectively directs the reclaimed fluid to either a reusable fluid container or the applicator. The valve…
Method for the treatment of industrial waste
Granted: March 12, 2019
Patent Number:
10227246
There is provided a method for treating spent metal working fluid (MWF), comprising the steps of: (a) providing a biofilm of microorganisms on a solid support matrix in a first bioreactor; (b) transferring at least a portion of the solid support matrix comprising the biofilm of microorganisms from the first bioreactor into a second bioreactor; and (c) incubating the microorganisms in the second bioreactor to reduce the chemical oxygen demand of the spent MWF contained therein.
Milling tool with insert compensation
Granted: March 5, 2019
Patent Number:
10220453
A milling tool is disclosed. The milling tool may include an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of cutting inserts. The cutting inserts may each have a cutting edge and a cutting radius and be coupled to the body and spaced along the longitudinal axis. One or more of the plurality of cutting inserts may be adjustable (e.g., mechanically adjustable) between first and second cutting radii. A difference between the first and second cutting radii may be at least 10 ?m.…
Updating shifting profiles for adaptive transmissions
Granted: February 12, 2019
Patent Number:
10203032
A computer having a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor, wherein the computer is programmed to: receive adaptive transmission clutch data from a plurality of first vehicles, the data from each first vehicle including a modified shifting profile; determine, using the received data, an updated initial shifting profile; and provide the updated initial profile to a plurality of second vehicles.
