Patents Represented by Attorney Douglas W. Rudy

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  • Citrus harvester
    Patent number: 5661963
    Abstract: A harvester for harvesting fruits from plants such as trees or bushes. The harvester uses a shaker head, which rotationally oscillates a vertical brush. A shaker frame is able to rotate around a wide arch which allows more than half the tree to be reached in a single pass. The other half of the tree may be reached by the brush in a pass in the opposite direction. The harvester also uses lifts to raise the brush to a height suitable for harvesting fruits from trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip Ray Scott
  • Elastomer closure spring
    Patent number: 5647194
    Abstract: A harvester for harvesting grapes or other fruits from plants. The harvester uses elastomer spring to support the closure wings of the harvester. The elastomeric spring may be a block of elastomeric material connecting a closure plate to the frame of the harvester. The elastomeric spring allows movement of the closure plate in many different directions. In addition, the elastomeric spring has fewer parts and is easier to assemble than conventional spring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Ray Scott, Marty Dean Youman
  • Simulation of operation for fault isolation and training
    Patent number: 5634793
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for simulating a system, which provides a recording of steps taken in operation of the system. The invention provides teaching and evaluation for the use and repair of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Paul L. Hasse
  • Pivotable thrust vectoring transom panel
    Patent number: 5628272
    Abstract: A transom flap can be deployed from the transom of an amphibious vehicle when the vessel is water borne. The transom flap is pivotally mounted and can be extended to extend into a position relatively acute to the transom of the vessel the transom flap can be extended to impinge the propulsion jet of a jet propulsion drive system of the vessel or it can be deployed to extend out of the jet stream but at a less acute angle such that it will be helpful in trim adjustment of the vessel at speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Thomas
  • Returnable dry product container
    Patent number: 5598953
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for holding dry products. The container is a container portion mounted to a base. The container portion has sloping sides with a slope greater than the angle of repose of the dry product. The container and base form a box shape that allows maximum packing and stacking of containers. The invention minimizes hazardous waste and dust produced by conventional paper sacks used for storing pesticides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Megargle, Wayne M. Bruhn, Steven L. Clements
  • Access to transmit on a message priority basis
    Patent number: 5596580
    Abstract: A transmit-receive station connected to a high speed ring bus carrying data signals that may be received from and sent to each station on the ring bus has two sources of transmit clocking signals. One source is based on the frequency and phase of data signals received on the ring bus from another station and the other source is a local crystal oscillator having essentially the same frequency as the first source but in an indeterminate phase. When changing the source of clocking signals for transmission of data originating at the station, bit slippage may be minimized by providing the local oscillator output signal in four phases and using the phase most nearly aligned with the other clocking signal when the change is made. Control of access to transmit by a station employs a token having a message field of seven bits and a access control bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Walser, Earl E. Rydell
  • Extendible thrust vectoring transom panel
    Patent number: 5579711
    Abstract: A transom flap can be deployed from the transom of an amphibious vehicle when the vessel is water borne. The transom flap is pivotally mounted and can be extended to extend into a position relatively acute to the transom of the vessel, the transom flap can be extended to impinge the propulsion jet of a jet propulsion drive system of the vessel or it can be deployed to extend out of the jet stream but at a less acute angle such that it will be helpful in trim adjustment of the vessel at speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Thomas
  • Two stage shaker
    Patent number: 5573459
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into/the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Meester
  • Micro-climate conditioning unit
    Patent number: 5564276
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-climate control unit. The invention uses a thermoelectric stack to provide both heating and cooling of a temperature controlled element. The heating and cooling uses a temperature controller which senses the need for heating or cooling and provides the current to the thermoelectric stack which provides heating or cooling. The thermoelectric stack is improved by the use of a hard spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas T. P. Abadilla, Kelly J. Drake
  • Sterilizer with reduced surface contamination
    Patent number: 5535916
    Abstract: The invention provides a transfer valve for a sterilizer/cooker, which is almost lubeless or is lubeless. Packing strips and packing rings are provided, which are made of high temperature thermo plastics compounded with internal lubricants, such as Teflon or silicon, and graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Joost Veltman
  • Spiral tee for tin free steel containers
    Patent number: 5533438
    Abstract: The invention provides a rotary processor, which uses T-shaped spiral rails of Nitronic-30 to provide wear resistant rails for processing tin free steel containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Joost Veltman
  • Intersecting bi-directional buckets for a bucket elevator system
    Patent number: 5526921
    Abstract: A bucket elevator system capable of being driven bi-directionally. The system having a plurality of pivoted buckets supported between two endless chains. Each bucket having a primary guide boss with an upper surface and a guide surface thereon. Guides arranged to contact the upper surface of the primary guide boll to restrain the pivotal movement of the buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kovalak, Harold E. Patterson, Paul I. Sleppy
  • Modular protection system
    Patent number: 5499568
    Abstract: The invention provides modular armor for a vehicle. The modular armor comprises an outer cover with a plurality of mounting racks attached to the vehicle. Armor panels may be added to or removed from the mounting racks as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Turner
  • Canopy harvester with force balanced drive
    Patent number: 5495708
    Abstract: A harvester for harvesting grapes or other fruits from plants. The harvester uses a force balanced shaker head, which rotationally oscillates around a vertical axis. A yoke extends down from the force balanced shaker. The arms of the yoke are attached to a plurality of rods, which shake the plant to harvest the fruit. Two rows of enclosures are provided below the shaker head to catch the fruit. A low profile conveyor transports the collected fruit to storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip R. Scott, Franklin P. Orlando, Richard K. Warren, Larry L. Slates
  • Apparatus for measuring a coating on a plate
    Patent number: 5493904
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a coating on a plate. The invention uses a method of measuring the impedance of a coating on a plate, which uses the steps of placing the coating on a plate in a chamber, and then placing a counter electrode in the chamber so that the coating lies between the plate and the counter electrode. A reference electrode is placed in the chamber so that the coating lies between the reference electrode and the plate, and the chamber is filled with a fluid with an ionic substrate. A potentiostat induces a voltage between the plate and the reference electrode, and impedance of the coating is measured to determine the quality of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Shih, Manuel S. Mekhjian
  • Wheel balancer apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5488861
    Abstract: The invention provides a wheel balancer with a filtering system that reduces signal noise using a phase shift and subtraction circuit. In addition the inventive wheel balancer utilizes an automated parameter entry device, and a fast data refresh system which reduces the burden on the central processing unit CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Allen D. McConnell, Hanford D. Monroe, Jean O. W. deBellefeuille, Jr.
  • Compact gas tungsten arc welding torch apparatus
    Patent number: 5481079
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved compact gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch apparatus allows for welding on such surfaces that otherwise could not be welded with linear or 90.degree. bend welding torch apparatuses, by providing a bend greater than 282.degree.. The inventive torch is compact, not requiring a large radius of curvature or a water outlet pipe passing through the support housing. The inventive torch also uses one of the feed pipes as an electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Erichsen, Gary L. Boerman, Daniel J. Richard, Ian C. B. Gordon
  • Separator/folder bag machine
    Patent number: 5388746
    Abstract: A separator/folder bag machine for developing individual, folded, plastic bags. A pair of high speed separation rollers, actuated by means of a servo motor driven eccentric linkage, engages a continuous plastic web to separate individual plastic bags formed tin the web. A pair of parallel, wide belts, and a pair of similar, overlying belts, engage both sides of the separated bags and transport the bags to a plurality of folding stations. Air jets at selected locations in the folder/separator controllably direct the bags through pairs of nip rolls to fold the bags along predetermined fold lines. Sensors in the folder/separator sense abnormal conditions and deactivate particular fold stations to reject improperly formed bags. A two speed slowdown mechanism at the discharge end of the separator/folder slows the folded bags to facilitate downstream handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Hatchell, Ronald L. Lotto, Ernest H. Teske, Donald J. Bauknecht
  • Automatic juice extraction system
    Patent number: 5386766
    Abstract: A juice extraction process control system includes provisions to determine the load on the processing line and adjust processor speed and availability of juice extraction hardware responsive to the through put load of the juice extraction process facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo T. Segredo, Michael L. Suter
  • Bi-directional registration of servo indexed webs
    Patent number: RE35067
    Abstract: A bag machine fabricates plastic bags by transversely cutting and sealing, at regularly spaced preselected locations, an elongate plastic web having graphic material repetitively printed thereon. In operation, the bag machine advances the web by a calculated draw length, and an optical sensor, sensitive to the passage of eyemarks printed in regularly spaced locations on the web, functions to ensure that the web is cut and sealed only at the desired locations. To avoid inaccuracies resulting from a gradual variance between the nominal draw length and the actual distance between eyemarks, a control system monitors the actual distance between eyemarks and sets the nominal draw length to the average actual spacing between eyemarks as measured over a preselectd number of successive eyemarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Donald J. Bauknecht