Device and thread gauging method for ensuring spark plug orientation
Granted: June 30, 2020
Patent Number:
10697750
A method of operating a measurement device to check an internal thread of a spark plug bore for proper orientation of a spark plug includes positioning a cylinder head relative to the measurement device and measuring a seat surface z-position. The seat surface is configured to seat the spark plug within the spark plug bore. The method includes measuring at least one set of coordinates. Each set of coordinates is at a major diameter of a corresponding threadform of the internal thread.…
3-D printed cooling channels to produce PHS parts with tailored properties
Granted: June 30, 2020
Patent Number:
10697035
A hot stamping die includes a body having a stamping surface, and cooling channels within the body. The cooling channels are positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels. The hot stamping die also includes a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels. The heating element is positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of…
System and method for performing a spindle runout diagnostic
Granted: June 16, 2020
Patent Number:
10684607
The present disclosure is directed toward a diagnostic method for a spindle arm of a machine. The method includes rotating the spindle arm of the machine at a first rotational speed, and acquiring, from an accelerometer, data indicative of a vibrational response of the spindle arm operating at the first rotational speed. The accelerometer is disposed along the spindle arm. The method further includes converting the vibrational response to a frequency based response to obtain a first…
Method for providing preformed internal features, passages, and machining clearances for over-molded inserts
Granted: June 16, 2020
Patent Number:
10682692
A method of casting an assembly is provided that includes forming a structural insert, over-molding the structural insert with a temporary core, and positioning the over-molded structural insert within a cavity of a casting die. The over-molded structural insert is cast within a part, to form the assembly, and the temporary core is removed. The method may also include a temporary core configured to define an alloy flash trim location or locating features to position the structural insert…
Method and system for robotic adaptive production
Granted: June 2, 2020
Patent Number:
10668623
A method for robotic adaptive production includes modifying program instructions online while performing production activities in response to detecting a change in the production environment. A robotic adaptive production method includes modifying program instructions online while performing production activities to minimize a production task cycle time or improve a production task quality. A robotic adaptive production method includes estimating a relationship between a control…
Method and system for linking fixture alignment modifications with a workpiece
Granted: May 19, 2020
Patent Number:
10656629
The present disclosure is directed toward a dimensional automated linkage system for correlating a fixture with a workpiece. The system includes a fixture module repository, a barcode stamp, and a fixture-workpiece data controller. The fixture module repository stores a fixture record for a registered fixture module, where the fixture record includes a workpiece entry portion to link a fixture of the registered fixture module with a subject workpiece. The workpiece entry portion includes…
Method for journal finishing of crankshafts, camshafts, and journals
Granted: May 5, 2020
Patent Number:
10639763
A method of grinding a surface of a crankshaft is provided. The method includes grinding the surface of the crankshaft by a grinding wheel, and polishing the surface of the crankshaft ground by the grinding wheel by oscillating a polishing wheel in a transverse direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the crankshaft.
Blanking and trim die including an integrated power grinding tool
Granted: April 28, 2020
Patent Number:
10632549
An apparatus for trimming a sheet metal panel in a die set. A grinding tool including a grinding wheel driven by a rotary drive is used to grind away a shear affected zone from the trimmed edge formed by the trim steel. The grinding tool is disposed within a cavity defined by the reciprocating die and is oriented to grind away a shear affected zone as the reciprocating die moves the grinding tool into engagement with the trimmed edge.
Convertible scooter for carrying cargo
Granted: April 21, 2020
Patent Number:
10625806
A scooter has a load-carrying deck, a steering rod for steering a front wheel, two outriggers arranged on opposite sides to be pivotable between retracted stowed positions and extended support positions. Each outrigger has a wheel mounted movably on the outrigger to move between a stowed position and a ground-contacting support position. The outriggers when in their support position form a wider loading surface than the deck alone. A control arm is attached to the steering rod for…
Lamp assembly and molding method
Granted: April 21, 2020
Patent Number:
10627075
An exemplary lamp assembly includes a lens, a base, and a textured surface between an outwardly facing surface of the lens and an outwardly facing surface of the base. An exemplary lamp molding method includes injecting a first material into a mold cavity to form a lens, and injecting a second material against a textured surface of the lens within the mold cavity to form a base.
3D-printed conformal cooling for hot stamping casted die inserts
Granted: April 7, 2020
Patent Number:
10610917
A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.
Method to remove background and sensor overload artifacts
Granted: March 31, 2020
Patent Number:
10607626
A method includes: executing an order tracking process of a measured noise signal at an nth order and at least one adjacent order to obtain an nth tracked signal and an interference signal based on an adjacent tracked signal of the at least one adjacent order, and extracting the interference signal from the nth tracked signal to obtain a refined nth order tracked signal.
Alternative E-coat dipping process
Granted: March 31, 2020
Patent Number:
10604860
The present disclosure includes a method for coating a vehicle body-in-white (BIW) in a tank of processing fluid. In one form, the method includes lowering the vehicle BIW in a tank of processing fluid, rotating the vehicle BIW around its lateral axis until the vehicle BIW is completely submerged in the processing fluid, and simultaneously conveying the vehicle BIW along a longitudinal axis of the tank while rotating the vehicle BIW around its longitudinal axis in a “corkscrew” type…
Method of manufacturing a lightweight laminate
Granted: March 31, 2020
Patent Number:
10603886
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 discrete 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.
Groover with peening flanks
Granted: March 31, 2020
Patent Number:
10603725
According to one aspect of this disclosure, a grooving tool is provided. The grooving tool has a body with a plurality of recesses. Plural inserts assembled into each of the recesses. The recesses include a cutting edge for forming grooves in an engine cylinder wall when rotated in one rotational direction. The insert also includes a peening surface extending in the opposite rotational direction from the cutting edge for deforming the upper edges of the grooves when rotated in an…
Stamping press line station apparatus and apparatus and method for making the same
Granted: March 24, 2020
Patent Number:
10596732
An apparatus is provided for molding a contact pad in place on an automation template. The apparatus includes an automation template having a contact pad retainer and a molding cap received over the contact pad retainer and retained using a self-locking fit. A mold cavity is formed between the automation template and the molding cap.
Hold down device and method for securing movable vehicle panels during processing
Granted: March 24, 2020
Patent Number:
10596589
A device for securing a movable panel relative to a vehicle body includes a housing, a plunger, a handle, and a spring. The housing defines a bore and a slot. The plunger includes a shaft and a clamp extending radially outward from the shaft. The shaft extends through the bore and is coupled to the housing for relative axial and rotational movement relative to the housing. The handle is fixedly coupled to the shaft and extends through the slot. The spring biases the clamp toward the…
Acetaldehyde scavenger treatment
Granted: March 17, 2020
Patent Number:
10590246
A method of forming a vehicle interior foam article, the method including applying a mold release agent onto an inner surface of a mold, delivering a solution having aldehyde scavenger(s) to the mold such that a reaction of the aldehyde scavenger(s) with the mold release agent is prevented, delivering a foam material into the mold, and casting the article.
Membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, method for preparing the membrane electrode assembly, fuel cell system and vehicle
Granted: March 17, 2020
Patent Number:
10593979
A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, with a membrane, a catalyst layer (16) and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer (16) has a first side facing the membrane and a second side facing the gas diffusion layer. In the catalyst layer (16) an ionomer content increases towards the membrane. The catalyst layer (16) has a first sublayer (22) in which catalyst particles (26) are coated with a first ionomer (28). The catalyst layer (16) further has a second sublayer (24) with a…
Manufacturing part identification using computer vision and machine learning
Granted: March 17, 2020
Patent Number:
10592726
Systems, methods, and devices for object detection, including manufacturing part detection, are disclosed. A method for identifying a manufacturing part includes receiving an image comprising a manufacturing part from an augmented reality device and determining a bounding perimeter encapsulating the manufacturing part. The method includes receiving a prediction label and a confidence value for the manufacturing part from a neural network. The method includes generating a message…
