The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 03, 2025
Filed:
Aug. 04, 2023
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Amanda Kay Freis, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Garret Sankey Huff, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Nicholas Dornik, Canton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method includes operating an automatic tool at a first setting to drive a flow drill screw (FDS) into a substrate. The first setting is configured to rotate the FDS at a first rotational speed and apply a first axial feed force. The first setting is configured to cause flow of the substrate to permit the FDS to penetrate the substrate. The method includes detecting a predetermined first trigger condition including at least one of a depth gradient and a depth and switching the tool from the first setting to a second setting in response to a predetermined second trigger condition including at least one of a predetermined axial feed distance after detecting the first trigger condition and a predetermined time delay after detecting the first trigger condition. The second setting is configured to rotate the FDS at a lower rotational speed and apply a lower axial feed force.