Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ronald C. Kamp
  • Aircraft belt loader hinge assembly having a spring loaded shock absorbing hinge support
    Patent number: 4610049
    Abstract: A hinge assembly having a polytetrafluorine block affixed to a support member with a guide rod having an enlarged head extending through a guide bore. A compression spring is trapped on the guide rod between the guide block and a nut affixed to the free end thereof. A tube is affixed to the head of a pin extending through the tube and aligned holes and a pair of ears positioned on each side of the tube and attached to the hinged member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Dean
  • Centering arrangement for redecking of crane upper
    Patent number: 4601401
    Abstract: A centering device for aligning those portions of the swing mechanism, e.g. the swing pinion on the upper with the ring gear on the carrier, to permit the redecking of a crane upper on its carrier, the device including a plurality of sockets on the carrier which are engageable by frustoconical ends on a plurality of pins slidably mounted on the upper. A latch holds the pins in an extended position so that the retraction of the legs supporting the upper above the carrier will cause lateral shifting as necessary to align the swing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy L. Wittman, David W. Olsen
  • Hydraulic circuit for crane
    Patent number: 4598829
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a crane having both lift and boom hoist pumps driven by the same engine with appropriate control valves to independently control the lift hooks and the boom angle. An unloading valve is interposed in the boom hoise circuit and dumps the boom hoise pump directly to reservoir when the pressure in the left pump circuit becomes excessive. A boom limit valve, actuated as the boom reaches both upper and lower limits, also causes the unloading valve to dump the boom hoise pump to reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Rickie A. Young, David L. Willard, Gerald P. Berger
  • Fluid power transfer device
    Patent number: 4593605
    Abstract: A hoseless arrangement for supplying pressure and tank passages in remote hydraulic device including an extend tube, with pressure and tank passages, and an extend cylinder each reciprocably mounted on a base with a pair of concentric tubes attached to the extend cylinder and to the extend tube, the inner tube communicating with one side of the extend cylinder and the outer tube with the other side thereof. A shuttle valve on the extend tube is connected to shift so that the pressure passage is always subjected to high pressure and the tank passage is always subjected to low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Bradley D. Goodell
  • Drive and brake assembly
    Patent number: 4583609
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an aircraft belt loader having a frame, an electric motor with a releasable mounting ring, a vertical support plate affixed to the frame with a circular opening, the center thereof being elevated above the frame, a flange positioned in the opening and secured to the support plate and releasably secured to the ring, and a planetary reducer with an output housing and a mounting plate, the reducer being driven by the motor; the mounting plate releasably secured to the flange and a drive wheel affixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Anderson, William C. Dean
  • Modularized pedestal-mount crane and method of disassembly
    Patent number: 4582205
    Abstract: A modularized pedestal mount crane having a base frame with a pair of fore and aft extending flanges with a boom pinned to the forward end of the flanges and an engine is mounted on the rearward portion of the flanges. A winch frame, carrying a plurality of winches, is pinned to the flanges and extends over the engine with vertical links connected between the rearward end of the winch frame and the flanges. A gantry is pinned to the winch frame, and cat walks are cantilever from three sides of the base frame, a cab included on one cat walk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald P. Berger, Frank S. Foster, Leroy L. Wittman, Lyle B. Jensen
  • Arrangement for operating dual fluid systems
    Patent number: 4576337
    Abstract: A sewer cleaner having a water pump with a clutch-less connection to an engine draws water from a tank having a baffle with an orifice. A valve arrangement directs the output from the pump to either a hose on a reel or recirculates to the tank. The flow rate through the orifice is less than the operating output of the pump so that the recirculated water combines with that flowing through the orifice to permit operation of a hydraulic system to rotate the hose reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Post
  • Auxilliary steering system
    Patent number: 4574904
    Abstract: An auxilliary hydraulic steering system for use on mobile vehicles having an engine-driven pump supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to a steering control unit and an accumulator. The accumulator is charged with fluid under pressure from the pump through a charge/discharge valve and connects with the supply line to the steering control unit only when this valve shifts in response to a predetermined pressure in said supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick R. Goode
  • Planetary final drive
    Patent number: 4574658
    Abstract: A planetary final drive having an output shaft journaled in a two-part housing with a compound gear consisting of a sun gear and a spur gear supported by a bearing on the output shaft. The spur gear engages and is driven by a powered pinion gear, and the sun gear engages and drives the planet gears in the planet carrier; the latter gears engage a ring gear grounded to the housing. Spacer means carried by said output shaft locate the bearing and maintain it under the spur gear, and preclude relative axial movement of the compound gear relative to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Seth C. Abbott, James J. Connerley, Arthur W. Klok, Jr.
  • Breakaway bail
    Patent number: 4574964
    Abstract: A breakaway bail for a pedestal mount crane pivotally attached to the gantry by a pin extending through bushings secured to a pair of parallel plates with a spacer between the plates aligned with the bushings. A beam having an upright flange is secured between the plates and a multiple sheave pulley is attached to beam by brackets. Each of the plates has a necked down section between the flange and the spacer to create a high stress area, which area will separate under overload conditions without affecting the connection of the crane to its pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald P. Berger
  • Guide and hand rail with latch
    Patent number: 4574937
    Abstract: A multi-positionable rail for the conveyor of an aircraft belt loader having a rail supported by a plurality of parallel posts pivoted to the side wall of the conveyor and to the rail and collapsible under the force of gravity against a stop positioned on the conveyor side wall to a stowed position wherein the posts and rail are within the silhouette of the conveyor. A first support arm pivoted on the conveyor engages a first pin on a post to position the rail above the conveyor to function as a hand rail and a second support pivoted on the conveyor engage a second pin on a post to position the rail intermediate the stowed and hand rail position. A latch trapped on the post above the first pin is urged by gravity to engage the pin to prevent disengagement of the first arm from the first pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Anderson, William C. Dean
  • Telecontrol system for cranes
    Patent number: 4566599
    Abstract: A control for a crane having a plurality of pressure-activated clutches with a control panel in the cab on a swingable upper works. A lightweight portable control panel is connected by an umbilical cord to the rotating joint and a switch selectively connects either the portable panel or the cab panel to an amplifier. An encoder in each panel provide redundant control signals to the amplifier which amplifies the signal with less noise and passes the amplified signal to a decoder which selects the proper current source to activate a solenoid-actuated hydraulic valve to modulate hydraulic pressure to the clutch selected by operation of a control lever on the selected one of the two panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ferruccio Villa, Fabio Castelli
  • Constant flow positive displacement pump
    Patent number: 4556371
    Abstract: A triplex or quadruplex pump having pump pistons which are equally phased apart and driven by a common drive shaft so that the velocity, i.e., speed with direction of all pistons in the particular pump is equal to zero at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Post
  • Subharmonic controller for electromagnetic exciter
    Patent number: 4547712
    Abstract: A subharmonic controller for a dual coil electromagnetic vibrator, which derives both power and timing from a conventional a.c. line, having a zero crossing detector providing pulses at twice line frequency to a phase control. The phase control provides a selectively variable pulse width and triggers a frequency divider, which in turn triggers a divide-by-two-counter. Pulses from each of the phase control, divider and counter are fed to a logic controller which generates plus and minus gate signals. The gate signals alternately fire a pair of oppositely-directed SCR's, each SCR connected in series with one of the dual coils across the a.c. line. A polarity detector and reset circuit restore the polarity information and synchronize it with the direction of conduction of the SCR's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Gotal, Junius D. Scott
  • Interchangeable screen panels for a traveling water screen
    Patent number: 4541930
    Abstract: A traveling water screen is provided with a support frame having a transverse tray for accommodating a conventional screen panel of a specific configuration or alternatively a modified screen panel having an integral pan for positioning over the transverse tray to provide special handling of seasonally varying screened material. A non-abrupt smooth transition at a transition margin between the screen material and the integral pan allows aquatic life forms to flow from the screen into the integral pan when the screen is backwashed without the aquatic material getting lodged between a screen retaining means and the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Lester D. Heidler, Richard D. Styer, Enos R. Hunsberger
  • Two person aerial platform
    Patent number: 4537281
    Abstract: This invention relates to aerial platforms capable of accommodating two occupants, and more particularly, to such devices which are especially suited for use with a hydraulic crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Endres, Kenneth D. McDaniel, Jr., Francis J. Griebel
  • Hydraulic disk brake circuit for crane draw works
    Patent number: 4534598
    Abstract: An improved system for control of a drum having a disk brake and pawl engageble therewith, including a pressure sensing switch electrically connected with a solenoid valve which is hydraulically connected with a pump and an accumulator teed into the supply from the pump. A solenoid valve, when energized hydraulically connecting a pawl cylinder attached to the pawl with pump pressure and when de-energized directing fluid pressure to apply the brake and dumping the pawl cylinder to reservoir to engage the pawl. Orifice means control the rates of flow to and from the brake and pawl cylinder to avoid shock loads and to assure the drum is stopped before the pawl is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Leon L. Cuhel
  • Adjustment means for operator controls
    Patent number: 4499963
    Abstract: An improved adjustment means for Operator controls in a crane having a sub-floor having a plurality of fore and aft slots with both extending therethrough to engage the floor and support the sub-floor. A pair of inner pedals are mounted on the sub-floor and operate valves carried by the sub-floor. A pair of outer pedals are also mounted on the floor and are connected by bowden cables to a control shaft mounted on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Allen L. Liston
  • Elevating and tilting mechanism for crane cab
    Patent number: 4436169
    Abstract: An elevating and tilting mechanism for a crane cab having a sub-frame mounted to the upper works, a pair of outer arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame and to the platform, a central inner arm pivotally connected to the sub-frame and the platform to form a parallelogram linkage. A pair of elevating rams connected between the cab frame and the outer arms. A cab is pivotally mounted at its rear to the platform and has a pair of hydraulic tilting rams connected between the platform and the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis A. Jennerjohn, Lyle B. Jensen
  • Mechanism for connecting and disconnecting crane sections
    Patent number: 4436444
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for connecting and disconnecting crane sections having a split locking ring positionable when contracted within a groove in one crane section and expandable into a groove in one crane section and expandable into a groove in the other crane section, with a double-acting ram connected at the free ends of the locking ring to control contraction and expansion thereof. A single acting ram is connected to provide a radial force at the heel of the locking ring when the latter is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Edward P. Scherrer