Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael H. Minns
  • Gas turbine apparatus
    Patent number: 5609655
    Abstract: A fuel and air mixing apparatus for a combustor and gas turbine generator. A primary portion of the fuel is injected into the mixing air at long distances from the combustor prechamber. The primary portion of the fuel is almost completely mixed with the mixing air. A secondary portion of fuel is injected into the mixing air in the boundary layer at a short distance form the combustor prechamber. This minimally mixed second portion provides some rich portions of fuel-air in the prechamber to improve stability and reduce the chances of blowout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Eric R. Norster
  • Fine adjustment/quick acting manual actuator for roller mill feed gates
    Patent number: 5609308
    Abstract: A manually actuated mechanism for roller mill feed gates that features both fine adjust and quick acting actuation. The mechanism consists of a hand wheel attached to an acme threaded rod, both of which are mounted in a bracket, the rod is attached to a clevis which is attached to a linkage and lever that is attached to the feed gate shaft. The fine adjust and quick action is accomplished by the lever which is spring loaded by tension spring. The lever has a half round acme nut that engages the acme threaded rod. The lever is normally held engaged to the rod by the spring for fine adjust but can be pulled by hand to release the rod for quick acting adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr., Heath L. Hartwig
  • Adjustable steering column
    Patent number: 5607184
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column construction in which a steering shaft is mounted within a column tube; a bracket having bracket members secures the tube to a vehicle; adjustment between tube and bracket is provided by slots preferably in antifriction elements; a clamping arrangement is provided which has a central clamping axis A which intersects the steering shaft axis B so that the clamping force to secure the tube relative to the bracket acts through the intersection resulting in a reduction of the downward extension of the construction including a clamping handle which preferably extends under the column tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Laurence G. H. Barton
  • Clamping mechanism for an adjustable steering column for a vehicle
    Patent number: 5598741
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism for an adjustable steering column incorporates a pre-set but variable preload. An operating handle is fitted on a shaft to rotate between clamped and unclamped conditions. Part of the shaft is provided with opposed flats about which a shaft lock washer is non-rotatably fitted. The lock washer operates with a stop member to prevent rotation of the assembly and a nut is tightened on one end of the shaft to the required preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Colin A. Mitchell, Gerald A. Speich
  • Antifriction element for use between relatively sliding components of an adjustable steering column
    Patent number: 5596907
    Abstract: An antifriction element for use between two relatively sliding metal components of an adjustable steering column is locatable between the two components and is formed such that, in an unclamped state of the components, two opposed resilient angled flanges act to urge the components away from contact with one another to allow relative free sliding of the components on the element, which is of plastics material, and, in a clamped state of the components, the flanges are deflected to allow direct contact between surfaces of the metal components to provide the clamping friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Laurence G. H. Barton
  • Brayton cycle industrial air compressor
    Patent number: 5586429
    Abstract: A Brayton cycle air compressor system having two turbinecompressors and a recuperated combustion chamber interconnected. A portion of the hot compressed high pressure air is used as combustion air for the combustion chamber. In addition, a portion of the combustion air is used as the heat source for regenerating the desiccant in the air dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Stephen P. Baldwin
  • Pillow block bearing
    Patent number: 5582482
    Abstract: A split housing pillow block bearing assembly for use with a roll having a shaft. A bearing assembly including a bearing housing split along a parting line passing through the axis of the shaft into an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a foot portion extending therefrom, the foot portion being offset towards the roll whereby a portion of the bearing housing projects axially outward from the foot portion away from the roll, the lower housing and the upper housing each having an arcuate bearing receiving aperture; a spherical roller bearing positioned within the arcuate bearing receiving apertures, the spherical roller bearing having a inner bore extending therethrough, the inner bore being tapered; and a tapered sleeve mounted on the shaft, the tapered sleeve being received within the bearing inner bore, the foot portion of the bearing being attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr., William S. Olson
  • Angular adjustable clamp yoke
    Patent number: 5580184
    Abstract: A clamp yoke having an angular adjustable insert. The angular adjustable insert has a profiled bore which is complementary to the profile of a shaft. The adjustability of the insert allows the insert to be rotated slightly during installation to account for tolerances in both the clamp yoke and the device the clamp yoke is being installed into. Preferably, the insert is axially restrained within the clamp yoke to prevent the insert from falling out of the clamp yoke prior to installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Martin G. Riccitelli
  • One-piece stamped clamp yoke
    Patent number: 5580180
    Abstract: A clamp yoke formed from a flat piece of metal. The flat piece being approximately T-shaped which is bent into the clamp yoke. The top portion of the T forming the yoke ears and the vertical portion forming two approximately parallel shaft portions. The yoke ears each having a bearing bore and the shaft portions each having a shaft receiving bore. The clamp yoke can be provided with a bolt having a reduced diameter middle which allows a shaft to be inserted into the shaft receiving bores without removing the bolt. The bolt is then tightened, drawing the larger diameter portion into the center of the clamp yoke where the bolt engages a transversely relieved portion on the shaft to axially retain the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: James G. DeBisschop, William E. Korzan
  • Clamp yoke and bolt assembly
    Patent number: 5575581
    Abstract: A clamp yoke formed from a flat piece of metal. The flat piece being approximately T-shaped which is bent into the clamp yoke. The top portion of the T forming the yoke ears and the vertical portion forming two approximately parallel shaft portions. The yoke ears each having a bearing bore and the shaft portions each having a shaft receiving bore. The clamp yoke can be provided with a bolt having a reduced diameter middle which allows a shaft to be inserted into the shaft receiving bores without removing the bolt. The bolt is then tightened, drawing the larger diameter portion into the center of the clamp yoke where the bolt engages a transversely relieved portion on the shaft to axially retain the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: James G. DeBisschop
  • Roll arrangement for a milling machine, and an inter-roll drive therefor
    Patent number: 5566902
    Abstract: A roll arrangement, for milling machine, comprising: a frame; a first elongated roll rotatably mounted within the frame, the first roll having a first end and a second end, the first roll having first sheaves attached at each end; a second elongated roll rotatably mounted within the frame, the second roll having a first end and a second end, the second roll having second sheaves attached at each end; a first belted drive means coupled to the first and second roll first ends; and a second belted drive means coupled to the first and second roll second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr.
  • Gas turbine apparatus
    Patent number: 5564270
    Abstract: A fuel and air mixing apparatus for a combustor and gas turbine generator. A primary portion of the fuel is injected into the mixing air at long distances from the combustor prechamber. The primary portion of the fuel is almost completely mixed with the mixing air. A secondary portion of fuel is injected into the mixing air in the boundary layer at a short distance form the combustor prechamber. This minimally mixed second portion provides some rich portions of fuel-air in the prechamber to improve stability and reduce the chances of blowout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Northern Research & Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Eric R. Norster
  • Vehicle steering column adjustment and energy absorbing mechanism
    Patent number: 5562307
    Abstract: A vehicle steering column adjustment and energy absorbing mechanism includes a steering column tube slidably mounted in a support member. A toothed slipper releasably engages with a toothed rack on the tube to lock the steering column relatively to the support member, a cam being provided to provide the locking action. The energy absorbing mechanism is provided by a strap which is rigidly joined to the slipper and is bent over a pin so that, in the event of vehicle crash with the rack and slipper locked together, energy imparted to the steering column causes the outer tube to move to cause the slipper to draw the strap around the pin, thereby to absorb energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: John M. Connor
  • Separable connecting device for a steering column
    Patent number: 5560257
    Abstract: An intermediate shaft consisting of a solid inner shaft member slidable within a tube member. A C-shaped connecting member or clip is inserted into a pair of opposed holes in tube member. The ends of connecting member engage a shoulder on the shaft member to prevent the two portions (the shaft member and the tube member) of the intermediate member from disengaging. The shaft member and the tube member are slidable relative to one another to accommodate movement of the front axle and the steering gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Mark J. DeBisschop, Kevin J. Audibert
  • Vehicle steering columns
    Patent number: 5551727
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel lock housing is mounted as an interference fit on the end of a steering column which has an extended slot. The lock housing has an internal peg which slides in the slot and is spaced from the inner end of it. In the event of vehicle crash, the lock housing is driven further down the slot continuing to be loaded as a result of the interference fit, the tube closing around the slot after the tube has passed the peg. Instead of the steering lock housing, another tubular member could be mounted on the end of a steering column to achieve the required collapse facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Gerald A. Speich
  • Steering column assembly
    Patent number: 5551919
    Abstract: A steering column assembly having a steering wheel connected to a steering box by upper and lower shafts. A universal joint having a flexible cross member connects the upper and lower shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Berci Cherpician
  • System providing rapid die change capability to a pellet mill
    Patent number: 5542838
    Abstract: A quick die change capability is provided to a pellet mill by means of a fixture spider which can be attached to the pelleting die and to the rollers for a unitized roller/die cartridge. By employment of quick acting captive die clamps, as well as push-pull jacks, assembly and dismantling of the die/roller cartridge in the mill is simplified. Three axis adjustability of the fixture spider enhances ease of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Wilhelm, Verne A. Hubalek, S. Andrew Smith, Robert Immergluck
  • Power sequencing method for electromechanical dispensing devices
    Patent number: 5539669
    Abstract: A method of controlling the application of power to a plurality of metering devices in a pesticide dispensing system permits operator controlled designation of row numbering, row-specific dispensing quantity of both seed and pesticide, and accurate records of starting and stopping times and locations. The method also permits operation of a large number of dispensing devices with a normal electrical system capacity by controlling the application or sequencing of power, the maximum power required by the system can be reduced at maximal speed and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Company
    Inventors: Victor D. Goeckner, Cloyce D. Newton
  • Metered lamina air intake for a hammermill feeder
    Patent number: 5535954
    Abstract: A feeder for comminuting equipment which combines inlet air and feed in lamina flow to minimize turbulent mixing by minimizing the air and feed convergence angles within the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Roskamp Champion
    Inventors: James O. Hudson, Heath L. Hartwig
  • Rolling bearing and method of making same
    Patent number: 5531836
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a steel alloy bearing having an inner race, an outer race and rolling elements comprising: at least one of said elements being made of alloy steel which constitutes from 10.0 to 18.0 wt % chromium and 0.05 to 0.30 wt % carbon, 0.10% to 2.0 wt % molybdenum, 0.15 to 1.0 wt % silicon, 0.20 to 1.5 wt % manganese, 0.8 to 1.2 wt % tungsten, 0.20 to 0.30 wt % vanadium, 0.2 to 1.0 wt % of nickel, and the remainder of said steel alloy being iron; and said at least one element having been carburized in a carbon atmosphere containing from 0.25 to about 0.40 % carbon potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Dezzani, David E. Beauregard