Patents by Inventor Arthur L. Dean
Arthur L. Dean has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 6693274Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dimensionally sorting a group of received articles, like fruits and vegetables, and using the determined different sizes for differentiation during the subsequent processing and handling of the articles. Generally, the size and shape of each article is determined by the degree of deflection of one or more sensor heads located along a path the article is traversing. The determined size and shape is then used to direct the article during the subsequent processing and/or handling of the article.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Randy Baird, Arthur L. Dean
-
Publication number: 20030080286Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dimensionally sorting a group of received articles, like fruits and vegetables, and using the determined different sizes for differentiation during the subsequent processing and handling of the articles. Generally, the size and shape of each article is determined by the degree of deflection of one or more sensor heads located along a path the article is traversing. The determined size and shape is then used to direct the article during the subsequent processing and/or handling of the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Randy Baird, Arthur L. Dean
-
Patent number: 5981892Abstract: A food handling conveyor apparatus includes a sound detection system for detecting the presence of a foreign object, such as a stone, among food product being conveyed. The apparatus includes a generally elongated vibratory conveyor bed along which food products are conveyed, with at least one discharge gate positioned at one end of the conveyor bed. An actuator is operatively connected to the discharge gate for effecting movement thereof between closed and open positions. A sound detection system of the apparatus, preferably including one or more directional microphones, is positioned in operative association with the conveyor bed and functions to differentiate between the sound of food product being conveyed, and the sound of a foreign object. The sound detection system is operatively connected with the actuator for the discharge gate, and effects opening of the discharge gate in timed relationship to detection of a foreign object so that the object is moved out of the food product stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Randy K. Baird, Arthur L. Dean, Kenneth M. Marshall, Robert A. Krynock, Stephen M. Pellegrino, Steven R. Smith, Justin L. Emanuel, David G. Pounds
-
Patent number: 5850906Abstract: There is provided a differential motion conveyor comprising a trough and a conveyor drive. The conveyor drive comprises a clutch/brake assembly which is selectively activated for moving the trough at a first speed in a first direction and selectively deactivated when moving the trough at a second speed in an opposite direction. There is further provided a method of conveying material comprising sensing a position of a trough, activating a clutch/brake assembly when the trough is at a first position for moving the trough at a first speed in a first direction, and deactivating a clutch/brake assembly when the trough is at a second position for moving the trough at a second faster speed in a second opposite direction to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: FMC CorporationInventor: Arthur L. Dean
-
Patent number: 5841621Abstract: This invention pertains to sensorless measurement of electromagnetically induced displacement in actuators and similar units. Primarily, the device imposes a constant frequency and amplitude excitation sine wave on a coil through a fixed impedance of a drive isolation network. The amplitude and phase of the voltage across the coil fluctuate depending upon the coil's inductance. This variation in the value of the inductance is dependent upon the change in magnetic flux density generated by the coil current and the displacement in air gap between the coil pole and armature. Accordingly, a measurable magnitude of displacement can be controllably imposed upon a system of solenoids. The displacement is thus measured and set without the use of extrinsic sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, Michael Steven Giusto
-
Patent number: 5311977Abstract: A high resolution article handling system serves as an article discriminator or identifier by creating an object silhouette. The objects are singulated on a conveyor and scanned by a linear array of CCD units (2048 pixels per inch) at a scan rate of 10 MHz. Pixel transitions corresponding to object edge points are converted to a single count value from a counter which is synchronized with the scanner. A microprocessor with a first in, first out buffer memory needs only a capacity to handle the count value rather than all data from the pixels. Article orientation is corrected in response to signal generated by determining the count value difference between a reference value and a work article value at only the scan slice windows at equally spaced positions along the article length where differences have been predetermined to be a maximum.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Inventors: Arthur L. Dean, Randy K. Baird, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., James P. Martin
-
Patent number: 5293987Abstract: An electromagnetic exciter for use in powering vibratory equipment includes a plurality of deflectable elastomeric springs in a configuration that allows the spring system to achieve a vertical non-linear spring rate increase beneficial in dual mass electromagnetic feeder and conveyor systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1992Date of Patent: March 15, 1994Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Kenneth M. Marshall, Harold E. Patterson, Paul I. Sleppy, Arthur L. Dean
-
Patent number: 5287027Abstract: An electromechanical exciter for use in driving a vibratory conveyor includes a non-linear spring system which provides an increase in spring force as the stroke of the electromagnet increases.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1991Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Kenneth M. Marshall, Arthur L. Dean, Paul I. Sleppy, Harold E. Patterson
-
Patent number: 4784493Abstract: A material handling work piece orienter utilizes an array of optical sensors to sense work piece orientation and other characteristics and determines the status of the work piece preparatory to taking action on said work piece. The orienter has the flexibility to be taught numerous work piece orientations and characteristics in a short time with a selective degree of accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1986Date of Patent: November 15, 1988Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., James P. Martin, Arthur L. Dean
-
Patent number: 4719376Abstract: An electromagnetic vibratory exciter having a non-linear elastomeric compression spring mounted in four quadrants around an electromagnet. The spring having curved armature contact surfaces of different heights on laterally opposite adjacent quadrants for providing selectable non-linear stiffening and deflection rates.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1985Date of Patent: January 12, 1988Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, Robert E. Kraft, Kenneth M. Marshall
-
Patent number: 4701647Abstract: An elastomeric compression element for an electromagnetic exciter unit which has a generally semi-circular outer periphery, an elongate inner periphery, end portions merging the inner and outer peripheries, a planar base surface and a contoured contact surface. The central portion of the element is dimensioned to have a height and thickness greater than that at the end portions for providing a non-linear spring action with the reciprocating free mass inside the unit during electromagnetic conduction.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, Robert E. Kraft, Kenneth M. Marshall
-
Patent number: 4673833Abstract: An electromagnetic vibratory exciter for use in vibratory equipment incorporates a free mass housed in an elongate housing having electromagnets mounted inboard at each end of the housing. The free mass is totally enclosed and carries a pair of armatures for cooperation with the electromagnets. An air gap is maintained during operation between the electromagnets and the armatures through the use of compression elements interposed between the electromagnet housing and the armatures of the free mass.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1984Date of Patent: June 16, 1987Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, Robert E. Kraft, Kenneth M. Marshall
-
Patent number: 4619356Abstract: A programmable parts reorienter and feeder utilizing a fiber-optic array in a sensing head to determine an initial orientation of a part passing through a parts handling unit. The sensing head is coupled to a microprocessor that has been programmed to recognize properly oriented as well as misoriented parts. After determining the initial orientation of the part the microprocessor will direct a reorienter device to either pass the part in the first orientation, orient the part to a preferred orientation or, in some cases, reject the part.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1984Date of Patent: October 28, 1986Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, William R. Brown, James P. Martin, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., Junius D. Scott, John D. Gotal
-
Patent number: 4455496Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating exciter for use in vibratory equipment incorporates a free non mass housed in an elongated housing having electromagnets mounted inboard at each end of the housing. The free mass is totally enclosed and carries a pair of armatures for cooperation with the electromagnets.An airgap is maintained during operation between the electromagnet and the armatures through the use of compression elements interposed between the electromagent housing and the armature of the free mass.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1982Date of Patent: June 19, 1984Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, Robert E. Kraft, Kenneth M. Marshall
-
Patent number: 4272366Abstract: A two-mass heavy duty vibratory machine has a frame in the form of a box-like cage in which a working member, such as a screen, is received. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the frame is resiliently mounted on a stationary support surface and the working member is resiliently suspended from the frame. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the working member is resiliently mounted on the stationary support surface and the frame is suspended from the working member. In both embodiments, an exciter is mounted on the frame at a location outside the frame and spaced from the working member.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1979Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Arthur L. Dean, William L. Wine