Patents Assigned to Mikronite Technologies Group Inc.
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Patent number: 7273409Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a spherical component using a centrifugal processing machine. The process includes the steps of providing a component having an initial shape with at least a portion that is non-spherical, placing the component into a container in the centrifugal processor, adding a first stage abrasive media into the container, and rotating the container so as to produce centrifugal and rotational motion of the abrasive within the container. The motion of the abrasive causes the component shape to change from the initial shape to a substantially spherical shape through the repeated contacting of the component's surface by the abrasive. In one embodiment, the components are further processed in a second stage using a different media to polish the surface of the component.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 7201638Abstract: A centrifugal processor is disclosed with includes an outer frame having an inner surface and an axis. At least one inner vessel positioned within the outer frame and is adapted to receive an object to be processed. A drive system rotate the inner vessel with respect to the outer frame and along the inner surface of the outer frame. The drive system includes a central shaft engaged with the vessel for rotating the vessel about the axis. An environmental control system is included which channels a secondary medium to or from the vessel to assist in the processing of the object. The environmental control system includes a manifold formed in at least a portion of the central shaft and adapted to channel the secondary medium. At least one port is formed in the central shaft and connected to the manifold. A conduit connects the port and the inner vessel for channeling the secondary medium between the manifold and the interior of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Manning, Craig Bredeson, Robert Bringard
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Patent number: 7144309Abstract: A rotational processor comprises an outer vessel and a plurality of inner vessels having an outer traction surface adapted for rolling contact with an inner surface of the outer vessel. A plurality of drive rollers drive the inner vessels about a center line of the outer vessel in rolling contact with the outer vessel. Each of the drive rollers contacts each of a pair of adjacently located inner vessels when the inner vessels are not being driven about the outer vessel. The outer traction surfaces compress in response to centrifugal forces applied by the rolling contact with the outer vessel such that each of the drive rollers separates from one of the adjacently located pair of the inner vessels.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman
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Publication number: 20050279430Abstract: An improved gear including a plurality of teeth defining a surface, the teeth each having a substantially continuous first subsurface stress layer located below the surface, and a second subsurface stress layer located below the first subsurface stress layer, the first subsurface stress layer comprising a thickness of compressive residual stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2005Publication date: December 22, 2005Applicant: Mikronite Technologies Group, Inc.Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Craig Bredeson, Daniel Manning, Robert Bringard
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Patent number: 6875081Abstract: A method for forming a tool having a smooth surface finish is disclosed. The method involves the step of first rotating a plurality of tools within an inner vessel at high speed relative to the outer vessel with a first abrasive. The first abrasive is then removed and a second abrasive is added to the vessel. The inner vessel is then rotated, again at high speed, with the second abrasive. The resulting tools have reduced surface anomalies.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group Inc.Inventor: Steve Hoffman
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Patent number: 6863207Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing high speed welding of two or more materials. The apparatus includes an outer vessel having an inner surface and a central axis. At least one inner vessel is positioned within the outer vessel and adapted to receive at least two materials to be subjected to a bonding or welding process. A drive system causes the inner vessel to rotate with respect to the outer vessel. The apparatus is designed to inhibit the formation of an oxidation layer on the materials during rotation. In one embodiment, the oxidation layer is inhibited by creating a vacuum within the inner vessel. In another embodiment, the inner vessel is filled with a gas which inhibits formation of an oxide layer on the materials. A method for high speed welding is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6823759Abstract: An apparatus for leveling and strengthening a rim of a saw blade is disclosed which includes a rotatable support for holding a saw blade, a first arm with a contact bearing for contacting a first face of a saw blade mounted in the support, and a second arm with a contact bearing for contacting the opposite face of the saw blade. The device also includes means for positioning the first and second contact bearings with respect to the saw blade support. In one embodiment the device the means for positioning includes a lateral adjustment mechanism attached to the first and second arms which varies the lateral spacing with respect to one another of the ends of the arms. A method for leveling and strengthening a rim of a saw blade is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6733375Abstract: A horizontal centrifugal finisher is disclosed for subjecting a product to centrifugal and rotational motion. The finisher includes a main frame which rotationally supports a central shaft about a horizontal longitudinal axis. At least two radial supports are mounted to and extend radially outward from the shaft. One or more containers are rotatably supported by the radial supports. Each container has two side walls, two end walls, a bottom and an open top. The walls and the bottom define an enclosure for containing products to be finished. A cover is attached to the container for closing off the open top. A drive system is incorporated into the finisher for rotating the containers. The drive system includes a primary drive system adapted to rotate the shaft about its horizontal axis, and a secondary drive system adapted to rotate the containers about their respective longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6599176Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing high speed processing of a workpiece. The apparatus includes an outer vessel having an inner surface and a central axis. At least one intermediate vessel is located within the outer vessel and has an outer surface which contacts the inner surface of the outer vessel. At least one inner vessel is positioned within the intermediate vessel and adapted to receive an object to be subjected to a manufacturing process. The inner vessel is located at a position within the intermediate vessel such that the central axis of the inner vessel is spaced apart from the central axis of the outer vessel. A drive system controls the rolling of the intermediate vessel along the inner surface of the outer vessel. The rolling of the intermediate vessel causes the inner vessel to rotate about its axis and the axis of the outer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Mikronite Technologies Group Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Hoffman