Vacuum manufacture of cryogenic pressure vessels for hydrogen storage
Granted: November 23, 2021
Patent Number:
11181236
In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a cryogenic pressure vessel. The method may include providing a metal lined, composite wrapped vessel which has a boss. The method may further include securing an inlet to the boss, and then encapsulating the metal lined, composite wrapped vessel within a metallic layer in a vacuum controlled environment to form an encapsulated inner tank subassembly. The method may further include securing at least one support to…
High volume manufacturing method for forming high strength aluminum parts
Granted: November 16, 2021
Patent Number:
11174542
The present disclosure is generally directed toward a high volume manufacturing method for forming high strength aluminum parts. The method includes acquiring material blanks that are made of 7xxx series aluminum alloy, heating the blanks to a solvus temperature of the material, and stamping and quenching the heated blanks to form multiple parts. The parts are cooled to a second temperature lower than the solvus temperature during the quenching operation. The method further includes…
Localized mating surface for laser welding
Granted: November 16, 2021
Patent Number:
11173569
An assembly and method of forming the assembly are disclosed. The assembly may include first and second components, the first component including a non-mating region and a mating region. The mating region may have an offset in a direction towards the second component and have a welding surface contacting the second component. A weld located within the welding surface may join the first and second components. The weld may be a laser weld. The method may include positioning a first…
Pre-conditioned AlSiFe coating of boron steel used in hot stamping
Granted: November 9, 2021
Patent Number:
11168379
A process for pre-conditioning a hot stamped part is provided. The process includes continuously annealing a boron steel material having an aluminum coating for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature such that less than 10 weight % Iron (Fe) is in the aluminum coating and AlSi pockets are formed in the aluminum coating prior to a subsequent hot stamping process, wherein the predetermined time and temperature are a function of a thickness of the boron steel material.
Automatic bump stop assembly
Granted: November 2, 2021
Patent Number:
11162290
The present disclosure relates to a bump stop assembly that includes a housing, a stopper, and a biasing device. The stopper is moveable relative to the housing and includes a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a plurality of recesses distributed along the shaft. The biasing device is disposed within the housing, and is operable to engage and disengage with at least one recess based on a load exerted on the stopper.
Method of manufacturing a lightweight laminate
Granted: October 26, 2021
Patent Number:
11155068
A method of producing a laminated article comprising placing a first metal skin, a core, and a second metal skin freely onto each other as discreet layers to provide a layered component; and forming the layered component into a shaped article via a die prior to producing a laminated article by applying pressure and heat to the shaped article, wherein at least the first skin moves relative to the core and/or second skin during the forming.
Method and system for calibrating and operating a machine
Granted: October 19, 2021
Patent Number:
11150628
The present disclosure is directed toward a method that includes logging offset data of a machine over a period of operational time having varying thermal conditions, comparing the logged offset data against a thermal model, estimating offsets for the machine based on the comparing, and adjusting offsets of the machine during operation.
Using unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect autonomous vehicles
Granted: October 12, 2021
Patent Number:
11145043
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to inspect autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle carries a UAV (or “drone”) in a protected area, for example, in a glove compartment, trunk, etc. Between rides, the UAV can be deployed to inspect the autonomous vehicle. Images from the UAV can be sent to other components for image analysis. When an inspection is completed, the UAV can return to the protected…
Device used to temporarily restrain parts and assemblies through manufacturing processes
Granted: October 5, 2021
Patent Number:
11135703
A temporary restraining device is provided that includes a head portion, a central body positioned below the head portion, an upper gap defined between the head portion and the central body, and a base portion positioned below the central body, a lower gap defined between the base portion and the central body. The temporary restraining device maintains a predetermined offset between workpieces disposed within the upper and lower gaps for subsequent manufacturing operations.
System and method for aligning a sensor assembly
Granted: September 28, 2021
Patent Number:
11131740
The present disclosure relates to a system and method of aligning a sensor assembly for a vehicle. The sensor assembly is disposed along a vehicle body and has a sensory face from which a measurement signal is transmitted. The sensor alignment system includes an alignment gauge that measures a datum angle of the sensor assembly, a sensor adjustment tool that adjusts a position of the sensor assembly relative to the vehicle body, and a controller that is in communication with the…
Advanced warnings for drivers of vehicles for upcoming signs
Granted: September 21, 2021
Patent Number:
11126871
Method and apparatus are disclosed for advanced warnings to drivers of vehicles for upcoming signs. An example vehicle includes a GPS receiver to determine a vehicle location. The example vehicle also includes a condition identifier to determine a familiarity level of a driver for the vehicle location and detect an upcoming sign. The example vehicle also includes a warning determiner to compare the familiarity level to a threshold level and provide, in response to the familiarity level…
Methods for making 3D printed parts using a dynamic build platform and 3D printed parts formed therefrom
Granted: September 21, 2021
Patent Number:
11123925
A method of 3D printing a part with an overhanging portion requiring support during printing is provided. The method includes moving a dynamically adjustable support member to support the overhanging portion during printing of the part. The dynamically adjustable support member may be moved from a retracted position to a support position after a first portion of the part is printed and the overhanging portion may be supported by the dynamically adjustable support member in the support…
Adjustable fixture to position parts for dimensional measurement
Granted: September 21, 2021
Patent Number:
11123833
A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
Systems for applying electrically conductive tape traces to a substrate and methods of use thereof
Granted: September 14, 2021
Patent Number:
11122691
A system for forming a conductive tape trace on a substrate includes a segment feeder arm configured to feed segments of conductive tape to the substrate and a segment placement armature configured to grasp and position the conductive tape segments in a predetermined pattern on the substrate. The conductive tape segments include a plurality of conductive tape bend segments and at least one conductive tape branch segment. The segment placement armature is configured to position and…
Dual-mode augmented reality interfaces for mobile devices
Granted: September 14, 2021
Patent Number:
11119585
Dual-mode augmented reality interfaces for mobile devices are disclosed herein. A dual-mode augmented reality interface of a mobile device includes a first mode to be presented via a user interface of the mobile device in response to detecting an occurrence of a first motion of the mobile device. The dual-mode augmented reality interface further includes a second mode to be presented via the user interface in response to detecting an absence of the first motion. The second mode is…
Methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operations
Granted: August 24, 2021
Patent Number:
11097940
Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the…
Notched line runner socket
Granted: August 24, 2021
Patent Number:
11097402
A socket assembly includes a socket head, an input member, and a plurality of transfer members. The socket head is disposed about an axis and defines an aperture extending axially through the socket head and through a side of the socket head. The socket head includes external teeth. The input member is coaxial with the socket head. Each transfer member includes a first end drivingly coupled to the input member and a second end configured to engage the external teeth.
Methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operations
Granted: August 17, 2021
Patent Number:
11091364
Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are…
Molding tools with biomimetic conformal venting passageways and methods for forming biomimetic conformal venting passageways in molding tools
Granted: August 10, 2021
Patent Number:
11084189
A method of forming a molding tool includes performing a computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis on a molding tool design. The CAE analysis predicts flow of injection molded material and a location of gas entrapment within a molding recess of the molding tool design. At least one venting design constraint is applied to the molding tool design as a function of the gas entrapment location. Also, a biomimetic shaped passageway for venting gas away from the gas entrapment location is…
Optimizing alignment of steering column and steering wheel during vehicle production
Granted: July 13, 2021
Patent Number:
11059511
A vehicle is able to be set to operate in a factory mode (as opposed to a normal mode) in which certain features are disabled, such as an alarm system, a power liftgate, etc. This allows assembly workers to assemble, test, and calibrate the vehicle without various systems in the vehicle being undesirably activated. While in the factory mode, the vehicle can accomplish multiple ignition on/off cycles while being tested or driven between stations. A steering column and connected steering…
