Bob Ross Powell

US Patent:

7032282, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Nov 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/305381

Inventors:

Bob Ross Powell - Birmingham MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23P 19/04
A44B 21/00

US Classification:

294264, 24442, 24451, 428100

Abstract:

A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material. An activation device is coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of hook elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces.

US Patent:

20040074062, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Nov 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/305375

Inventors:

Thomas Stanford - Port Hueneme CA, US
Alan Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy Johnson - Northville MI, US
Leslie Momoda - Los Angeles CA, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US

International Classification:

A44B018/00

US Classification:

024/442000

Abstract:

A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement. In this manner, disengagement of the releasable fastener system provides separation of the hook portion from the loop portion under controlled conditions. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.

US Patent:

20050000065, Jan 6, 2005

Filed:

Jul 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/611844

Inventors:

Alan Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy Johnson - Northville MI, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US
Leslie Momoda - Los Angeles CA, US
Thomas Stanford - Port Hueneme CA, US

International Classification:

A44B018/00

US Classification:

024442000

Abstract:

Processes for providing rapid release of a hook and loop type releasable fastener system comprise preconditioning the releasable fastener system to effect rapid release. In this manner, minimal energy and time is required for disengagement of the releasable fastener system.

US Patent:

20050011625, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619667

Inventors:

David Goettsch - Shelby Township MI, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US

International Classification:

B22C009/04
B22C007/02

US Classification:

164034000, 164045000

Abstract:

Method of making a subcutaneous melt flow-channel in the surface of a fugitive foam pattern used in lost-foam casting process. After a refractory skin has been formed on the surface of a foam pattern, a strip of the skin is treated so as to cause the foam underlying the strip to recede from the strip and leave a groove in its stead. Suitable treatments include (1) heating the strip, or (2) applying a foam solvent thereto that soaks through the skin. In each case, the treatment is such as to cause the foam underlying the treated strip to soften and recede from the strip.

US Patent:

20060021211, Feb 2, 2006

Filed:

Jul 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/900648

Inventors:

Carolina Ang - Bloomfield MI, US
Jean Dasch - Bloomfield MI, US
Vadim Rezhets - Waterford MI, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US
Robert Paluch - Allenton MI, US

International Classification:

B21B 13/22

US Classification:

029527600, 148437000, 420546000, 420537000, 148438000, 148439000

Abstract:

Additions of small but effective amounts of one or more of bismuth, indium, lead and/or tin to an aluminum casting alloy markedly improved the dry machinability of a casting made from the modified alloy. The added elements, which are softer and lower melting than the matrix alloy form as small globules in the microstructure of the aluminum casting. These globules do not adversely affect the strength or hardness of the casting but enable surfaces of the casting to be machined without the use of a cooling and lubricating machining fluid.

US Patent:

20060168806, Aug 3, 2006

Filed:

Mar 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/393248

Inventors:

Carolina Ang - Bloomfield MI, US
Jean Dasch - Bloomfield Township MI, US
Yang Cheng - Troy MI, US
Vadim Rezhets - Cape Coral FL, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US
Robert Paluch - Allenton MI, US

International Classification:

B21K 3/00

US Classification:

029888010

Abstract:

Additions of small but effective amounts of one or more of bismuth, indium, lead and/or tin to an aluminum casting alloy markedly improved the dry machinability of a casting made from the modified alloy. The added elements, which are softer and lower melting than the matrix alloy form as small globules dispersed in the microstructure of the aluminum casting. These globules do not adversely affect the strength or hardness of the casting but enable the casting to be machined without the use of a cooling and lubricating machining fluid.

US Patent:

20060225688, Oct 12, 2006

Filed:

Apr 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/099883

Inventors:

Gary Ward - Saline MI, US
Bob Powell - Birmingham MI, US

International Classification:

F02F 1/00

US Classification:

123193200

Abstract:

Cast-in-place cylinder bore liners are disclosed for use in casting of engine cylinder blocks, wherein a plurality of the cylinder bore liners are joined to form a cassette, and wherein an accuracy in positioning of each of the bore liners with respect to each other is maximized and a weight thereof is minimized.

US Patent:

20090071620, Mar 19, 2009

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855260

Inventors:

Mridula D. Bharadwaj - Bangalore, IN
Bob R. Powell - Birmingham MI, US
Dusanka Radovic - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B22D 46/00

US Classification:

164 41

Abstract:

Die casting of some magnesium alloys may yield castings that are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to salt water or other aggressive oxidizing environments. Such corrosion may result from the existence of different microstructures in a cross-section of the die casting (e.g. between the surface of the part and the center) that produce galvanic couples that are susceptible to such corrosive attack. However, a die temperature may be determined for casting of the part such that a more uniform cross-sectional microstructure is produced in which minimal or negligible galvanic potentials are produced.