Minimum quantity lubrication tool priming method
Granted: March 29, 2022
Patent Number:
11285575
A method of priming a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) tool includes determining a category of the tool, supplying a short-prime MQL dosage if the tool is a first category or if both a second category and lubricated within a first predetermined timeframe, and supplying a long-prime MQL dosage if the tool is the second category and has not been lubricated within the predetermined timeframe. The category is based on internal passage complexity of the tool.
Method for evaluating an adhesive for a vehicular joint
Granted: March 22, 2022
Patent Number:
11281818
The present disclosure is directed toward a method that includes simulating, by an adhesive analytic model, transformation of at least one vehicular joint joined by a selected adhesive based on one or more system variables, and outputting, by the adhesive analytic model, an adhesive analysis identifying deformation for the selected adhesive along the at least one vehicular joint based on the simulated transformation and a deformation rating scale.
Methods of non-destructive residual stress measurement using barkhausen noise and use of such methods
Granted: March 15, 2022
Patent Number:
11274979
A method for determining residual stress in a selectively hardened parts including an unhardened region adjacent to a hardened region is provided. The method includes obtaining a Barkhausen Noise (BN) value for the unhardened region and selecting a corresponding absolute residual stress value from a correlation between BN values and absolute residual stress values. The selected absolute residual stress value accurately estimates the absolute residual stress in the hardened region of the…
Method and system for deconstructing and searching binary based vehicular data
Granted: March 8, 2022
Patent Number:
11269807
The present disclosure is directed toward a method and system for deconstructing and searching binary based vehicular data. The method includes extracting a vehicle filename metadata for one or more vehicular files; parsing data of the vehicular files to generate categorized objects based on a vehicular data dictionary for the vehicular files; associating each of the categorized objects with a respective vehicle filename metadata; storing vehicular documents indicative of the categorized…
Drone-based vehicle illumination
Granted: February 1, 2022
Patent Number:
11235876
A computer is programmed to deploy an aerial drone to fly within a specified distance of a first vehicle. The computer is programmed to detect a second vehicle and then activate an aerial drone light.
Methods and apparatus for vehicle HVAC control using portable devices
Granted: January 4, 2022
Patent Number:
11214119
Methods and apparatus for vehicle HVAC control are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a portable device interface of a vehicle, the portable device interface to be communicatively coupled with a portable device, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system of the vehicle, where the HVAC control system is to be communicatively coupled to the portable device interface. The example apparatus also includes a processor to control the HVAC control system…
Method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell with catalyst free edge areas; membrane assembly and fuel cell with membrane assembly
Granted: December 14, 2021
Patent Number:
11201344
A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell. To overcome a problem of chemical degradation at an edge of the membrane, the method comprises the following steps: positioning a first decal layer, which is made of the same material as a first catalyst layer, on a first side of the membrane, positioning a second decal layer, which is made of the same material as a second catalyst layer, on a second side of the membrane, pressing a compression pad, which is positioned on…
Hybrid quench process for hot stamping of steel parts
Granted: December 14, 2021
Patent Number:
11198915
A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the…
Methods for die trimming hot stamped parts and parts formed therefrom
Granted: December 14, 2021
Patent Number:
11198167
A method of forming a hot stamped, die quenched, and die trimmed part is provided. The method includes hot stamping and die quenching a blank with a quench die and forming a die quenched panel. The quench die includes at least one slow-cooling channel. The die quenched panel is die trimmed along the at least one localized soft zone that is adjacent a hard zone. The blank may be formed from a press hardenable steel (PHS), and the at least one soft zone may have a ferritic microstructure…
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…
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…
