Patents by Inventor Richard Gerard Potje

Richard Gerard Potje 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).

  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANUFACTURING AN AXLE
    Publication number: 20120144635
    Abstract: A continuous system for automatically manufacturing an axle is provided. The system includes a plurality of sub-systems and an automated transport system. The plurality of sub-systems includes a furnace configured to heat a billet to a predetermined forging temperature, a forging system configured to forge an axle from a heated billet, and a machining system configured to form a machined axle from said axle. The automated transport system is configured to automatically transport a product to and from each of the plurality of sub-systems. The product includes the billet, the axle, and the machined axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Gerard Potje, Timothy Dunagan, Jon Edmond Meyer, James A. Cowan
  • Methods for manufacturing an axle
    Patent number: 8122580
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an axle is provided. The method includes heating a billet at a heating station to a predetermined temperature, forging the heated billet at a forging station to form an axle, and machining the axle at a machining station to form a machined axle. A product is automatically transported to and from each station using a product transport system, wherein the product includes the billet, the axle and the machined axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: American Railcar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gerard Potje, Timothy Dunagan, Jon Edmond Meyer, James A. Cowan
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANUFACTURING AN AXLE
    Publication number: 20090320263
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an axle is provided. The method includes heating a billet at a heating station to a predetermined temperature, forging the heated billet at a forging station to form an axle, and machining the axle at a machining station to form a machined axle. A product is automatically transported to and from each station using a product transport system, wherein the product includes the billet, the axle and the machined axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Gerard Potje, Timothy Dunagan, Jon Edmond Meyer, James A. Cowan