Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Tedder

Joseph A. Tedder 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: 4975554
    Abstract: A welding apparatus (10) for longitudinally traversing and circumferentially welding within the interior of a tube. A rotating weld tip and gas supplying containing head is mounted on and rotationally driven by a rotor tube (36) extending from the end (90) of a cylindrical housing (12) in which it is mounted. The axially fixed rotor (36) is surrounded by and is driven by a helix drive connection (52,54,56) to a piston (20). The piston (20) reciprocates in a cylindrical bore (14) within the housing (12) in response to selectively applied fluid pressure acting against a spring bias (26). A strain gage (72) on the spring (26) controls the fluid pressure by means of valve ("V") whereby reciprocation of the piston (20) rotates the rotor (36) by means of the helical groove (52) and balls (54). The various parts are hollow to accommodate the necessary wire conductors (70,86) and gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4772849
    Abstract: A probe (10) for longitudinally traversing and circumferentially inspecting the interior of a tube. A rotating sensor containing head (44) is driven by a rotor (40) extending from the end (38) of a cylindrical housing (12) in which it is mounted. The axially fixed rotor (40) surrounds and is driven by a helix drive connection (70) to a piston extension (32). The piston (20) reciprocates in a cylindrical chamber (14) within the housing (12) in response to selectively applied fluid pressure acting against a spring bias (60). A strain gage (62) on the spring (60) controls the fluid pressure by means of valve (2) whereby reciprocation of the piston (20) and its extension (32) rotates the rotor (40) by means of the helical groove (70) and balls (72). The various parts are hollow to accommodate the necessary wire conductors (51 and 64) and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4724693
    Abstract: A tube expansion tool for use in expanding sleeve inserts in the repair of steam generator tubes. An inflatable bladder radially enlarges in response to application of a pressurized fluid to radially expand a repair sleeve. The bladder is mounted to a mandrel by a pair of end caps which are configured to provide a fluid tight seal to confine the pressurized fluid inside of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4385535
    Abstract: A metal cutting machine is remotely positioned and actuated to cut away a weld formed as a seal between two surfaces of a container which houses a nuclear environment. The cutter is guided to remove the weld of the seal to a predetermined depth which maintains the integrity of the sealed surfaces that the surfaces may be resealed by a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4363592
    Abstract: A tool is essentially an extensible mechanical arm adapted on one end to support equipment in a hostile environment while the arm is manually manipulated from its second end in a benign environment. The arm is pivoted at the entrance to an area containing nuclear radiation with its end projected into the radiation area, and adapted to install and remove equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Tedder