Method and apparatus for objective measurement of noise
Granted: October 14, 2008
Patent Number:
7437274
A method of objectively and subjectively monitoring noise and correspondingly level or loudness thereof in a product or assembly. The method includes placing a product on the vibration generator. Activating the vibration generator to move or shake the product to simulate usage conditions. A sound recording instrument measures and records the noise emitted by the product or assembly. Comparing an objective metric computed from the recorded noise with a threshold metric. Evaluating the…
Vehicle lower grille
Granted: October 14, 2008
Patent Number:
D578443
Methods and systems for testing electromagnetically actuated fuel injectors
Granted: October 7, 2008
Patent Number:
7430899
Current based methods and systems for testing an electromagnetically actuated fuel injector of an engine are provided. In at least one embodiment, an injector is commanded to actuate, data about a current associated with the command is collected, and a determination is made regarding whether the injector is functioning properly based on the data.
Identifying and visualizing faults in PLC-based manufacturing systems
Granted: October 7, 2008
Patent Number:
7433801
Textual fault messages in PLC-based manufacturing systems are supplemented by automatically displayed sets of information that allow an operator to quickly identify, recognize and visualize components responsible for producing faults. Visual display of stored computer generated images showing system components and tooling allow the operator to visually pinpoint the exact component responsible for the fault, and its location within the manufacturing system. Stored information associated…
Vehicle grille
Granted: September 30, 2008
Patent Number:
D577636
System and method of processing text based entries
Granted: September 16, 2008
Patent Number:
7426689
A system and method are provided for identifying text information and making such information available for applications. The system includes an electronic device communicating text information and an application for performing a function. The system also includes memory storing known text formats and a processor for processing the text information. The processor compares the text information to the known text formats and determines a text format of the text information. The processor…
Vehicle fog light bezel
Granted: September 9, 2008
Patent Number:
D576765
Method of making a body panel assembly
Granted: September 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7422652
A method of manufacturing a body panel assembly for a vehicle. The method includes providing first and second panels, applying an adhesive, positioning the first and second panels, hemming the first and second panels together to form a subassembly, applying a coating to at least a portion of the subassembly, and heating the subassembly to at least partially melt the adhesive.
Electronic method and system for monitoring containers and products
Granted: September 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7423534
An electronic method for monitoring the location of a container and one or more products capable of being contained in the container in an operating environment. The method can include the steps of (a) placing an extreme condition identification (ID) tag encoded with a container ID on a location on a container capable of containing one or more products; (b) associating the one or more products with the container ID; and (c) tracking the location of the containers based on the extreme…
Method to facilitate failure modes and effects analysis
Granted: August 12, 2008
Patent Number:
7412632
A method and system to facilitate failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) of one or more components of a system. The FMEA is indicated with the generation of an FMEA form. A graphical user interface provides a sequential order of completion for a number of steps. The steps are followed to generate graphical representations which are to be completed by an FMEA analyst and received by the graphical user interface to facilitate generating the FMEA form.
System and method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle
Granted: August 12, 2008
Patent Number:
7412310
A system and method of controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle speed, determining an operating state of a brake system, and controlling activation of the power source based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the operating state of the brake system.
Data management and networking system and method
Granted: August 5, 2008
Patent Number:
7409261
A data management and networking system and method are provided for automatically retrieving and storing data from a machine tool for distribution to a remote terminal over a network. Raw data related to a machine operation parameter, such as vibrations, are collected. This data is associated with machining operation data, such as the particular cutting tool being used, or the particular feature being cut by the cutting tool. An algorithm is applied to the raw data to generate a…
Moving coil electronic locking differential
Granted: July 15, 2008
Patent Number:
7399248
A differential mechanism for transmitting power from an input to an output includes a case containing a side gear, a locking member rotatably secured to the case and axially displaceable relative to the case. The locking member alternately engages the side gear to limit rotation of the side gear relative to the case, and disengages the side gear to permit rotation of the side gear relative to the case. An electromagnetic coil assembly is supported on the case for movement toward and away…
Sheet metal forming process
Granted: June 24, 2008
Patent Number:
7389665
A sheet metal forming process and apparatus using both a mechanical forming step and a superplastic forming step. The mechanical forming step includes using a double-action draw die to create a preform. The preform is then transferred to a superplastic forming tool that uses a superplastic forming process to complete the forming process and create a finished workpiece. Using the mechanical forming step enables rapid creation of a preform having a geometry that reduces overall forming…
Apparatus for dislodging and removing contaminants from a surface of a machine tool
Granted: June 17, 2008
Patent Number:
7386911
An apparatus for dislodging and removing contaminants from a surface of a machine tool. The apparatus includes an arbor, a vacuum source, a tube, and a cleaning member disposed proximate a distal end of the tube. The cleaning member contacts a surface of the machine tool to dislodge contaminants. The contaminants are drawn through the tube by the vacuum source.
Sensing system for sheet metal forming tool
Granted: June 17, 2008
Patent Number:
7387006
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.
In-tank fuel supply unit with attachable jet pump assembly and filter
Granted: June 17, 2008
Patent Number:
7387111
An in-tank fuel supply unit is provided for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an engine. The fuel supply unit generally comprises a fuel delivery module and a jet pump assembly selectively attachable to the fuel delivery module. The fuel delivery module has a housing defining a reservoir and includes a fuel pump for pressurizing fuel in the reservoir. The jet pump assembly has a suction tube defining a suction chamber and a nozzle situated inside the suction chamber. The nozzle receives…
Machining system with integrated chip hopper
Granted: June 17, 2008
Patent Number:
7387478
A machining system having a machining envelope, a housing, a hopper, and a seal. The housing defines at least a portion of the machining envelope. The hopper has a top surface defining an opening. The seal is disposed between the housing and the top surface. The hopper is configured to receive particulates when positioned below the machining envelope.
System and method of interactive design of a product
Granted: June 17, 2008
Patent Number:
7389212
A system and method for interactive design of a product includes the steps of identifying an ideal design solution by identifying an unnecessary design parameter having a predetermined significant influence on a variable design response and fixing a predetermined nominal value of the identified unnecessary design parameter at which the variable design response is a minimum and the product design is an uncoupled design or a decoupled design. The method also includes the steps of selecting…
Method for managing machine tool data
Granted: June 3, 2008
Patent Number:
7383097
A method for managing machine tool data includes operating the machine tool to perform at least a portion of an operation cycle which includes a non-machining operation. Data is processed from signals output from at least one sensor and from a controller to define a non-machining operation-specific data profile for the non-machining operation. An algorithm is applied to the non-machining operation-specific data profile to generate a non-machining operation-specific data point, which…
