Patents by Inventor Charles N. Richards

Charles N. Richards 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: 6609447
    Abstract: A facing tool includes a fixture that securely holds a workpiece, and a fixture retainer that secures the fixture and workpiece against axial and radial movement during a facing operation. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a two piece construction that allows a first piece to be swung away from the second piece to accommodate a variety of sizes of workpieces. Provision is also made for a positive load on the cutting tool to reduce or eliminate tool vibration, as well as a chip shield that deflects debris away from the workpiece. A tool spindle is provided that allows for a plurality of cutting tool positions on the spindle to accommodate different workpiece diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Charles N. Richards, Ronald K. Fisher, Jr., James M. Kane
  • Publication number: 20030000353
    Abstract: A facing tool includes a fixture that securely holds a workpiece, and a fixture retainer that secures the fixture and workpiece against axial and radial movement during a facing operation. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a two piece construction that allows a first piece to be swung away from the second piece to accommodate a variety of sizes of workpieces. Provision is also made for a positive load on the cutting tool to reduce or eliminate tool vibration, as well as a chip shield that deflects debris away from the workpiece. A tool spindle is provided that allows for a plurality of cutting tool positions on the spindle to accommodate different workpiece diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Charles N. Richards, Ronald K. Fisher, James M. Kane
  • Patent number: 6460438
    Abstract: A facing tool includes a fixture that securely holds a workpiece, and a fixture retainer that secures the fixture and workpiece against axial and radial movement during a facing operation. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a two piece construction that allows a first piece to be swung away from the second piece to accommodate a variety of sizes of workpieces. Provision is also made for a positive load on the cutting tool to reduce or eliminate tool vibration, as well as a chip shield that deflects debris away from the workpiece. A tool spindle is provided that allows for a plurality of cutting tool positions on the spindle to accommodate different workpiece diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Charles N. Richards, Ronald K. Fisher, Jr., James M. Kane
  • Publication number: 20010001934
    Abstract: A facing tool includes a fixture that securely holds a workpiece, and a fixture retainer that secures the fixture and workpiece against axial and radial movement during a facing operation. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a two piece construction that allows a first piece to be swung away from the second piece to accommodate a variety of sizes of workpieces. Provision is also made for a positive load on the cutting tool to reduce or eliminate tool vibration, as well as a chip shield that deflects debris away from the workpiece. A tool spindle is provided that allows for a plurality of cutting tool positions on the spindle to accommodate different workpiece diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: CHARLES N. RICHARDS, RONALD K. FISHER, JAMES M. KANE
  • Patent number: 5844190
    Abstract: An orbital welding apparatus (B) comprises a modular weld head apparatus (10) including a rotor assembly (20) which carries a welding electrode (26). The rotor assembly is rotated about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. The rotor assembly includes a C-shaped insulating rotor member (22) which has teeth (28) disposed around an outside periphery thereof. The insulating rotor member is configured to receive an electrically conductive member (24). The conductive member is insulated by the rotor member to reduce arcing from the conductive member to other components. A drive assembly (98) within the weld head assembly engages the insulating rotor member to rotate the rotor assembly about the axis during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Cajon Company
    Inventors: Ernest A. Benway, James M. Kane, Charles N. Richards
  • Patent number: 5223686
    Abstract: An orbital welding apparatus includes a first housing defining a weld head assembly and a circular rotor disposed therein for rotation about a first axis. A welding electrode is carried by the rotor for welding. A second housing separate from the first housing forms a power transmission and has a second drive shaft extending therefrom. A flexible drive shaft connects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to conduct rotary drive forces from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft while permitting the relative orientations of the first and second housings to be freely adjustable. A third and independent housing carries an electric drive motor and forms a power drive motor module with a rotary output shaft. A releasable clamping mechanism is provided for positioning and holding cylindrical members to be welded in an axially aligned relationship with their ends abutting in a single plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Cajon Company
    Inventors: Ernest A. Benway, Theodore J. Gausman, Charles N. Richards, Michael J. Mussig, David N. Stafford
  • Patent number: 5136134
    Abstract: An orbital welding apparatus comprising a modular weld head unit including a circular rotor carrying a welding electrode for rotation about an axis for welding abutting ends of tubular members positioned in alignment on the axis. A drive assembly for driving the rotor includes a motor unit carried in a separate modular housing for ready manual connection and disconnection from the weld head unit. In the preferred form a transmission module is connected with the motor unit and connects to the weld head unit by a flexible drive shaft assembly to allow the motor unit to have substantially any desired orientation relative to the weld head unit. There is also disclosed a separate clamping assembly for holding the tubular members relative to the weld head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Cajon Company
    Inventors: Ernest A. Benway, Theodore J. Gausman, Charles N. Richards
  • Patent number: 4035235
    Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of making lipophilic modified starch derivatives that are suitable for encapsulating fats and oils and producing stable emulsions. The starch has a reduced viscosity with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The process of preparing the starch derivatives includes the steps of esterification of the starch with n-octenyl succinic anhydride, washing, enzyme modification and drying. The enzyme modification is critical to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1973
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles N. Richards, Clifford D. Bauer