Patents by Inventor Ben John Halford
Ben John Halford 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).
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Patent number: 9610709Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the management of multiple heated mould tools (302, 304) in a facility with limited resource, by monitoring energy usage of a first mould tool (302), and starting a second mould tool (304) when enough energy is available.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: SURFACE GENERATION LIMITEDInventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20150336295Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the management of multiple heated mould tools (302, 304) in a facility with limited resource, by monitoring energy usage of a first mould tool (302), and starting a second mould tool (304) when enough energy is available.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: SURFACE GENERATION LIMITEDInventor: Ben John HALFORD
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Patent number: 8474124Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another, characterized in that the tooling system further comprises means for retaining the elements of the array in a plurality of different relative vertical alignments. A method of operating the tooling system is also described, which method of operating includes at least the steps of moving the elements of the array into a first vertical alignment, machining the free ends of the elements according to a predetermined pattern and moving the elements of the array into a second vertical alignment in which the machined ends of the elements produce a desired surface contour.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Surface Generation, Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 8469344Abstract: A tooling system (1) having a number of elements (2) arranged in an array, which elements define a contoured surface, or a section of a contoured surface. The tooling system also including means (7) for mounting an element to a support rail (5) which extends across the array, which means allows adjustment of the height of the element with respect to other elements of the array, and extends through the support rail into a space defined below the support rail. A supporting element (6) formed from a suitable resistant material and including accommodation means (8) for the means for mounting, is located in the space below the support rail and is sized so that it substantially vertically fills the space between the support rail and a base on which the tooling system is located.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Surface Generation, Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 8128077Abstract: This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7901166Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elongate elements each having an upper surface, said elements being arranged in an array to present said upper surfaces for machining by cutting tool means; support means for supporting said elements, each said element being supported on said support means for axial movement between upper and lower positions relative to the other elements in the array thereby to enable adjustment of the vertical position of said element surface; and clamping means for clamping the array of elements in a closed position in which the elements contact one another for enabling the free ends of the elements to be machined to produce a desired surface contour.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Surface Generation LimitedInventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20100295229Abstract: A tooling system (1) having a number of elements (2) arranged in an array, which elements define a contoured surface, or a section of a contoured surface. The tooling system also including means (7) for mounting an element to a support rail (5) which extends across the array, which means allows adjustment of the height of the element with respect to other elements of the array, and extends through the support rail into a space defined below the support rail. A supporting element (6) formed from a suitable resistant material and including accommodation means (8) for the means for mounting, is located in the space below the support rail and is sized so that it substantially vertically fills the space between the support rail and a base on which the tooling system is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7797975Abstract: An element (10) for use in a tooling system which comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another is characterized in that the element comprises tagging means (8) providing the element with a unique identifier. The tagging means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Surface Generation LtdInventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7726167Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail (22) and being moveable relative to the other elements in the array. Each element terminates in a threaded support post (25) extending from a first end of the element, and is associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported. The tooling system further comprises an adjusting component in the form of a fork (46) which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation, upon rotation of the fork.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Surface Generation, LtdInventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7703190Abstract: A tooling system includes a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end. The system further includes a device, adapted to adjust the relative longitudinal positions of the elements such that the free ends of the elements define approximately a desired surface contour and a device for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions. The first end of each element may be provided on a machinable portion removably mounted to a base portion, the arrangement being such that the free ends of the elements can be machined to produce the desired surface contour.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Surface Generation LimitedInventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7610790Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. The tooling system further comprises bolster means (34, 36) provided to hold the elements of the array securely in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20090250857Abstract: An element (10) for use in a tooling system which comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another is characterised in that the element comprises tagging means (8) providing the element with a unique identifier. The tagging means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20090056517Abstract: This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2006Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Surface Generation LimitedInventor: Ben John HALFORD
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Publication number: 20090020936Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elongate elements each having an upper surface, said elements being arranged in an array to present said upper surfaces for machining by cutting tool means; support means for supporting said elements, each said element being supported on said support means for axial movement between upper and lower positions relative to the other elements in the array thereby to enable adjustment of the vertical position of said element surface; and clamping means for clamping the array of elements in a closed position in which the elements contact one another for enabling the free ends of the elements to be machined to produce a desired surface contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20080203640Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another, characterised in that the tooling system further comprises means for retaining the elements of the array in a plurality of different relative vertical alignments. A method of operating the tooling system is also described, which method of operating includes at least the steps of moving the elements of the array into a first vertical alignment, machining the free ends of the elements according to a predetermined pattern and moving the elements of the array into a second vertical alignment in which the machined ends of the elements produce a desired surface contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2005Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: SURFACE GENERATION LTDInventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20080122152Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail (22) and being moveable relative to the other elements in the array. Each element terminates in a threaded support post (25) extending from a first end of the element, and is associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported. The tooling system further comprises an adjusting component in the form of a fork (46) which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation, upon rotation of the fork.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.Inventor: Ben John Halford
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Publication number: 20040145105Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (18) arranged in an array (28), each element (18) being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements (18) in the array (28) and a first end (20), the system further comprising means to adjust the relative longitudinal positions of the elements (18) such that the free ends of the elements define approximately a desired surface contour (22) and means for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Ben John Halford