Patents by Inventor Robert M. Columbus

Robert M. Columbus 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).

  • Method for electromagnetically joining tubes to sheets in a tubular heat transfer system
    Patent number: 6857185
    Abstract: A system and method for expanding, joining or securing a plurality of tubes by electromagnetic expansion to a plurality of sheets in a tubular heat transfer system. The system and method involve the automatic sensing and positioning of a electromagnetic coil in operative relationship with at least a portion of a tube and an inner wall of a sheet and then energizing the electromagnetic coil to expand the portion of the tube to engage the inner wall of the sheet, thereby securing the tube thereto. A tubular heat transfer system tube expander and method are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignees: IAP Research, Inc., Elliott Tool Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: John P. Barber, Robert M. Columbus, Bruce D. Kouse, Duane C. Newman
  • System and method for joining tubes to sheets in a tubular heat transfer system
    Publication number: 20040231157
    Abstract: A system and method for expanding, joining or securing a plurality of tubes by electromagnetic expansion to a plurality of sheets in a tubular heat transfer system. The system and method involve the automatic sensing and positioning of a electromagnetic coil in operative relationship with at least a portion of a tube and an inner wall of a sheet and then energizing the electromagnetic coil to expand the portion of the tube to engage the inner wall of the sheet, thereby securing the tube thereto. A tubular heat transfer system tube expander and method are also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicants: Elliott Tool Technologies Ltd., IAP Research, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Barber, Robert M. Columbus, Bruce D. Kouse, Duane C. Newman
  • System and method for joining tubes to sheets in a tubular heat transfer system
    Publication number: 20030218333
    Abstract: A system and method for expanding, joining or securing a plurality of tubes by electromagnetic expansion to a plurality of sheets in a tubular heat transfer system. The system and method involve the automatic sensing and positioning of a electromagnetic coil in operative relationship with at least a portion of a tube and an inner wall of a sheet and then energizing the electromagnetic coil to expand the portion of the tube to engage the inner wall of the sheet, thereby securing the tube thereto. A tubular heat transfer system tube expander and method are also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicants: Elliott Tool Technologies Ltd., IAP Research, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Barber, Robert M. Columbus, Bruce D. Kouse, Duane C. Newman