Michael John Miles

US Patent:

7845545, Dec 7, 2010

Filed:

Jun 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/818528

Inventors:

Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US
Russell Steel - Salem UT, US
Jonathan A. Babb - West Jordan UT, US
Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US
Kent Kohkonen - Orem UT, US

Assignee:

Brigham Young University - Provo UT
Megastir Technologies, LLC - Provo UT

International Classification:

B23K 20/12

US Classification:

2281121, 228 21

Abstract:

A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.

US Patent:

8157154, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Dec 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/962402

Inventors:

Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US
Russell J Steel - Salem UT, US
Jonathan A. Babb - West Jordan UT, US
Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US
Kent Kohkonen - Orem UT, US

Assignee:

Brigham Young University - Provo UT
Megastir Technologies, LLC - Provo UT

International Classification:

B23K 20/12

US Classification:

228 21, 2281121

Abstract:

A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.

US Patent:

20120055977, Mar 8, 2012

Filed:

Aug 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/196737

Inventors:

Russell J. Steel - Salem UT, US
Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US
David Rosal - West Bountiful UT, US
Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US

International Classification:

B23K 20/12
B23K 11/00
H05B 6/02

US Classification:

2281121, 228 21, 219600, 2191171

Abstract:

A system and method for using Friction Stir Spot Joining (FSSJ) to join workpieces made of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS), wherein a first embodiment is a FSSJ tool that has no surface features, and wherein the rate of rotation of the FSSJ tool is much higher than is used in other FSW techniques to thereby reduce torque by causing plasticization of the AHSS on a small scale, and in a second embodiment, conventional FSSJ tools can be used at conventional FSSJ speeds if the FSSJ tool is manufactured from conductive tool materials having a high hardness, and heating of the FSSJ tool and/or the workpieces enhances the ability of the FSSJ tool to functionally weld the AHSS.

US Patent:

20130228612, Sep 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/783740

Inventors:

Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US
Russell J. Steel - Salem UT, US
Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US

Assignee:

MEGASTIR TECHNOLOGIES LLC - PROVO UT

International Classification:

B23K 20/12

US Classification:

228102, 2281121, 228 21

Abstract:

A system and method of using a friction stir tool having a bit that is at least partially consumable may be improved by providing enhanced cutting geometries on the bit, modifying stop times to improve bit joining, including automated tracking in an automatic friction bit joining method, providing automated feeding and automated friction bit joining, making the friction bit joining system portable, enabling the friction stir tool to be usable by a robotic device or as a handheld device, friction bit joining a plurality of different layers even if only a base material is solid-state joinable with the consumable bit, performing metal stitching on traditionally unweldable materials, performing solid-state plug welding, and operating the friction bit tool at variable RPMs in order to improve bit joining characteristics.

US Patent:

20140008418, Jan 9, 2014

Filed:

Sep 3, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/017023

Inventors:

Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US
David Rosal - West Bountiful UT, US
Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US

Assignee:

MEGASTIR TECHNOLOGIES LLC - Provo UT

International Classification:

B23K 20/12

US Classification:

2281121

Abstract:

A system and method for using Friction Stir Spot Joining (FSSJ) to join workpieces made of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS), wherein a first embodiment is a FSSJ tool that has no surface features, and wherein the rate of rotation of the FSSJ tool is much higher than is used in other FSW techniques to thereby reduce torque by causing plasticization of the AHSS on a small scale, and in a second embodiment, conventional FSSJ tools can be used at conventional FSSJ speeds if the FSSJ tool is manufactured from conductive tool materials having a high hardness, and heating of the FSSJ tool and/or the workpieces enhances the ability of the FSSJ tool to functionally weld the AHSS.

US Patent:

20140123470, May 8, 2014

Filed:

Jan 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/153814

Inventors:

- Provo UT, US
Michael P. Miles - Springville UT, US

Assignee:

MEGASTIR TECHNOLOGIES LLC - Provo UT

International Classification:

B21J 15/10
B23K 20/12

US Classification:

2952506, 228114, 228 23, 2924353

Abstract:

A system and method of joining at least two workpieces together using a friction rivet and a friction rivet cap that are friction stirred together after a cutting tip or cutting feature on the friction rivet cuts through workpieces and is then bonded to the friction rivet cap, and wherein the friction rivet cap may be excluded if the friction rivet includes a hollow in the cutting tip, the hollow being flared after the friction rivets cuts through the workpieces to thereby create an integral rivet cap in the end of the friction rivet.