Patents Examined by Joseph Dillon, Jr.
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Patent number: 11760575Abstract: A conveyance device and a planar conveyance apparatus capable of carrying out an article in any direction. The conveyance device includes an energizing mechanism unit configured to energize and move an article and a rotation mechanism unit configured to rotate the energizing mechanism unit itself, and is capable of changing a moving direction of the article by rotating the energizing mechanism unit with the rotation mechanism unit. The energizing mechanism unit includes an energizing mechanism side motor, and the energizing mechanism side motor includes a coil on a center side and an outer body surrounding the coil, and is an outer rotor type motor in which the outer body rotates. The energizing mechanism side motor is disposed such that a central shaft of the outer body is in a substantially horizontal posture, and the outer body energizes the article by coming into contact with the article directly or through a freely-rotating rotor interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Hideo Naiki, Kentarou Iwasawa
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Patent number: 11753258Abstract: A mixture of gas and solid particles are conveyed through a piping circuit connected between initial and terminal points. The gas is introduced at the initial point and the particles are introduced between the initial and terminal points. A diameter of the piping circuit increases downstream of where the particles are introduced, and a velocity of the gas is at least as great as a pick-up velocity of the particles at the point where the particles are introduced into the piping circuit. In addition to the above constraints, the piping circuit is sized so that total pressure losses due to flow in the piping circuit between the initial and terminal points are within a designated amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Braskem America, Inc.Inventors: Shady Henry, Ronald Lutz
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Patent number: 11751502Abstract: A distribution tower comprising an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream. The tower additionally includes a distribution head at the upper end of the conduit, with the distribution head comprising a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from the conduit. The distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of the plenum chamber by splitting the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams. Each of the secondary streams is discharged from the distribution head via one of the discharge outlets. The tower additionally includes a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet. The tower further includes a control system for controlling operation of said flow adjustment system.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
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Patent number: 11745959Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural machine includes an air source having an outlet, an assembly configured to receive agricultural material from a material source, and a plurality of conduits. Each conduit is configured to receive an air stream from the outlet for conveying a portion of the agricultural material to at least one device associated with the agricultural machine. A first one of conduits corresponds to a first distribution line and is positioned such that the first conduit receives a first air stream from a first area of the outlet, a second one of the conduits corresponds to a second distribution line and is positioned such that the second conduit receives a second air stream from a second area of the outlet having a lower air pressure than the first area, and the first distribution line has a higher pressure drop than the second distribution line.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Stanley R. Borkgren
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Patent number: 11739020Abstract: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Antoine Gaston Denis Bisson, Keith Raymond Gaylo, Jacob Immerman, Rohit Rai
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Patent number: 11730080Abstract: Device for delivering solid particles on demand, intended for agricultural machine, wherein the delivery on demand of solid particles to a receiving device is regulated, particularly in the field of technology for transporting solid granulated materials by means of an air stream, without being exclusive, in agricultural machinery when an air stream is used to transport seeds or fertilizer granules from at least one central hopper to the dosing/metering equipment located on the sowing unit, and including a source of pressurized air, a distributor of solid particles “S”, a hopper whose bottom feeds solid particles “S” to the distributor and a plate permeable to the passage of air and on which said particles “S” settle.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: TALLERES METALURGICOS CRUCIANELLI S.A.Inventor: Gustavo Crucianelli
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Patent number: 11711998Abstract: An air seeder assembly that has a tank for containing commodity, a meter assembly coupled to the tank and configured to selectively distribute commodity there through, a first conduit coupled to the meter assembly to direct commodity provided to the first conduit from the meter assembly to a tool assembly, a diverter that selectively diverts commodity to the first conduit, and a sensor coupled to the diverter to identify when commodity is passing thereby.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andrew W. Harmon
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Patent number: 11713201Abstract: A vacuum-type powder transfer system capable of quantitatively supplying a constant amount of powder in a wide range from a small amount to a large amount, and a vacuum-type powder transfer method using the vacuum-type powder transfer system are disclosed. In an aspect, the vacuum-type powder transfer system includes a storage part configured to store powder, one or more chamber parts configured to accommodate the powder transferred from the storage part, a hopper part disposed to control fluid communication with the one or more chamber parts, and configured to accommodate the powder transferred from the storage part, and a vacuum pressure forming part configured to provide vacuum pressure to the one or more chamber parts, wherein the powder is split and supplied to the one or more chamber parts or the hopper part.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: SK ON CO., LTD.Inventors: In Mok Kim, Ji Yun Yang
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Patent number: 11708225Abstract: A device (1) for feeding a processing device with powdery material (2) comprises a first chamber (3) having at least one fluidizing device (5) configured to fluidize and/or to potentially fluidize the powdery material (2), at least one second chamber (6) being in connection with the first chamber (3) such that fluidized and/or potentially fluidized powdery material (2) is transportable from the first chamber (3) into the second chamber (6), and at least one third chamber (9) being in connection with the second chamber (6) such, that the potentially fluidized powdery material (2) is transportable from the second chamber (6) into the third chamber (9). The device (1) is configured to defluidize the powdery material (2) such that it is present as defluidized powdery material (2) in the third chamber (9). The third chamber (9) has a discharge element (10) configured to discharge the defluidized powdery material (2).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: REEL Alesa AGInventors: Damian Stauffer, Peter Meier
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Patent number: 11691159Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for plant transportation using a smart conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced capabilities as a result of integrating robotic features, automations, artificial intelligence, queuing, fault control, automatic transport, scalability, safety measures, smaller footprint, and other computerized functions, along with a creative business model. In design of this invention the following high-level requirements were achieved: scalable for small, medium, and large businesses; safer than other machines in the market; sanitation consideration; simplicity in maintenance, and automated functions to reduce the need for labor (e.g., integration of robotics, AI, and/or other computerized systems).Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventor: Michael Faro
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Patent number: 11685616Abstract: A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe extending into the trough, and at least one aerator located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: INV Nylon Chemicals Americas, LLCInventor: Michael A. Perez
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Patent number: 11673750Abstract: A process is described that includes flowing a carrier fluid through a transfer line, feeding polymer pellets into the transfer line at a feed location, measuring a first pressure value of the carrier fluid at a location in the transfer line upstream of the feed location, measuring a second pressure value of the carrier fluid and polymer pellets at a downstream location in the transfer line which is downstream of the feed location, and determining a mass flow rate of the polymer pellets flowing in the transfer line based on a differential pressure between the first pressure value and the second pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: John D. Hottovy, Paresh C. Mody
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Patent number: 11666847Abstract: A pneumatic conveyance system includes at least one filtration component and a cage assembly disposed within the filtration component. The cage assembly may include a first cage, a second cage, and an actuator, where the actuator may be configured to move the first cage relative to the second cage and cause at least a portion of the first cage to rub against a filtration component within the pneumatic conveyance system. A method of dislodging material buildup within a pneumatic conveyance system includes causing a first cage of a cage assembly to move relative to a second cage within a filtration component.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Inventor: Daniel Hunzeker
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Patent number: 11655106Abstract: The disclosure provides a system comprising one or more supply tanks; a central cement mixing unit; a support unit comprising a compressor and a power supply; a first valve disposed upstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a second valve disposed downstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a controller disposed at the central cement mixing unit; and a secondary controller disposed at each of the one or more supply tanks; wherein the one or more supply tanks are coupled to the central cement mixing unit, wherein the compressor is coupled to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the power supply is coupled to the compressor and to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to each of the secondary controllers and to the support unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Kristen Lin, Derek Abel, Derek Williams
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Patent number: 11655104Abstract: A pressing assembly for a conveyor having a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt includes a roller support, a linkage coupled to the roller support, a roller rotatably coupled to the linkage, the roller configured to engage the first conveyor belt to press the first conveyor belt toward the second conveyor belt, and a deflector engageable with the first conveyor belt to inhibit contact between the first conveyor belt and the linkage.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: CONTINENTAL GLOBAL MATERIAL HANDLING LLCInventors: Gavin Wilson, Stevie Kim Nix
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Patent number: 11641884Abstract: A system for conveying electronic cigarette components, including: a guide including a stopping station; a carriage to slide along the guide; a retaining device for holding a component of an electronic cigarette; and a locking unit for locking the carriage relative to the guide at the stopping station. The locking unit includes: two abutment elements mounted on the carriage and disposed at a predetermined mutual distance; and an inserting element which is: disposed at the stopping station shaped such that first and second edges contact the abutment elements, respectively, when the carriage is at the stopping station; movable between a retracted position free from the abutment elements to allow the carriage to slide, and an advanced position contacting the abutment elements to prevent the carriage from sliding. Each abutment element is rotatable about its axis to facilitate movement of the inserting element between the two positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: G.D S.P.A.Inventors: Luca Testoni, Carlo Moretti, Paolo Degliesposti, Luca Lanzarini, Luca Federici
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Patent number: 11643287Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying non-dry frac proppant are described herein. The system generally includes at least one hopper having at least one moisture sensor, a slide gate that is fluidly connected to the at least one hopper, a conveyor assembly having at least one conveyor belt configured to convey the non-dry frac proppant from the at least one hopper to a blender, and at least one load sensor, and a control device configured to regulate a discharge rate of the non-dry frac proppant and a load rate of the non-dry frac proppant. The method generally includes providing the system at a well site to convey a non-dry frac proppant from a source point the at least one hopper, the conveyor assembly at a discharge rate determined by the control device, and the blender at a load rate determined by the control device.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Walker-Dawson Interests, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Dawson, William J. Walker, Robert D. Harper
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Patent number: 11643233Abstract: A system for transporting and depositing of piece goods, in particular detergent pods, comprising at least one transport conveyor with a transporting surface, for transporting of piece goods in a transport direction with a transport speed from a receiving location to a downstream located deposit station, said deposit station, for the receiving of the piece goods, provided with at least one area for receiving the piece goods, which area at least partly locates under the transport surface of the transport conveyor and extends under a receiving length in the transport direction of the transport conveyor, wherein a deposit location, where the transport conveyor deposits the piece goods in the area in the deposit station, is adjustable over the receiving length, a detector, for outputting a signal that indicates if at a certain moment piece goods can be deposited in the deposit station, wherein a controller for determining the deposit location depending on the detection signal, wherein the controller moves the depType: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: MDE Automation B.V.Inventors: Pieter Marinus Anthonie Moerland, Jan Jacob Hoogesteger
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Patent number: 11628953Abstract: A trolley system for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle includes a frame defining a cargo-retaining platform. The cargo-retaining platform is configured to receive and retain the cargo. At least a portion of a lower surface of the frame is formed of a low friction material. One or more handles are moveably coupled to the frame. The handle(s) are configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. One or more attachments are configured to secure the cargo on the cargo-retaining platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: William Robert Clos
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Patent number: 11629016Abstract: A system for transferring solid particles from a first environment at a first gas pressure to a second environment at a second gas pressure. The system comprises a first rotary valve having an inlet which is in fluid communication with the first environment, a second rotary valve having an outlet which is in fluid communication with the second environment, and an intermediate housing bounding an intermediate channel, of which an inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of the first rotary valve and of which an outlet is fluidly connected to an inlet of the second rotary valve. The intermediate channel is fluidly connected to a third environment maintained at a third gas pressure. The third gas pressure is higher than both the first gas pressure and the second gas pressure or lower than both the first gas pressure and the second gas pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Inventors: Stephen John Benstead, Theodorus Gerardus Marinus Maria Kappen