Patents by Inventor Robert Niblock

Robert Niblock 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: 11260503
    Abstract: An abrasive slurry delivery system configured to discharge a high pressure mixture of water (30) and abrasives (54, 54?) for further admixture with a flow of high pressure water (30) to generate an abrasive slurry and ultimately an abrasive slurry jet is provided. The delivery system includes a storage chamber (56), a discharge chamber (58) and a shuttle chamber (60) positioned therebetween. The shuttle chamber (60) is configured to intermittently receive abrasives (54) from the storage chamber (56) and intermittently supply the abrasives (54, 54?) mixed with high pressure water (30) to the discharge chamber (58) to be selectively discharged therefrom. High pressure abrasive slurry cutting systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman
  • Patent number: 9862073
    Abstract: Systems and related methods are provided for adjusting the position and orientation of an end effector of a multi-axis machine (e.g., a manipulable cutting head of a fluid jet cutting machine) relative to a base reference frame. Systems include an adjustable tool mount having a base structure that includes portions or regions that are selectively deformable to adjust a position and an orientation of a tool supported by the adjustable tool mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FLOW INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Niblock
  • Patent number: 9844890
    Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman, Shawn Michael Callahan, Paul Tacheron, Sean Schramm
  • Publication number: 20160339560
    Abstract: An abrasive slurry delivery system configured to discharge a high pressure mixture of water (30) and abrasives (54, 54?) for further admixture with a flow of high pressure water (30) to generate an abrasive slurry and ultimately an abrasive slurry jet is provided. The delivery system includes a storage chamber (56), a discharge chamber (58) and a shuttle chamber (60) positioned therebetween. The shuttle chamber (60) is configured to intermittently receive abrasives (54) from the storage chamber (56) and intermittently supply the abrasives (54, 54?) mixed with high pressure water (30) to the discharge chamber (58) to be selectively discharged therefrom. High pressure abrasive slurry cutting systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman
  • Publication number: 20160214231
    Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman, Shawn Michael Callahan, Paul Tacheron, Sean Schramm
  • Publication number: 20160059384
    Abstract: Systems and related methods are provided for adjusting the position and orientation of an end effector of a multi-axis machine (e.g., a manipulable cutting head of a fluid jet cutting machine) relative to a base reference frame. Systems include an adjustable tool mount having a base structure that includes portions or regions that are selectively deformable to adjust a position and an orientation of a tool supported by the adjustable tool mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Niblock
  • Patent number: 9272437
    Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman, Shawn Michael Callahan, Paul Tacheron, Sean Schramm
  • Publication number: 20140116217
    Abstract: High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: FLOW INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashish, Robert Niblock, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman, Shawn Michael Callahan, Paul Tacheron, Sean Schramm
  • Publication number: 20050199743
    Abstract: A shockwave cleaning apparatus cleans one or more surfaces within a vessel. A sensor senses one or more thermodynamic properties associated with the vessel. A control system is coupled to an initiator and a fuel/oxidizer source to control the firing of the apparatus responsive to input from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: James Hochstein, Michael Aarnio, Donald Kendrick, Thomas Bussing, Robert Niblock