Patents Assigned to General Kinematics
  • Patent number: 7296951
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a spiral deck enclosed in a housing having passageways for allowing air flow between adjacent deck tier segments. In addition, the conveyor may include two concentric spiral decks operably coupled to one another, wherein a vibratory force is capable of simultaneously advancing objects both up the first spiral deck and down the second spiral deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Kurt Christopherson, Robert Markowski
  • Patent number: 7240800
    Abstract: An attrition mill for reclaiming foundry sand from deposited material having lumps of used foundry sand and included material includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the lumps of used foundry sand and included material. A base is disposed within the housing and has an elevated end defining a reject outlet adjacent a reject end of the mill and a lower end, and a discharge wall is positioned adjacent the base lower end to define a sand outlet adjacent a sand end of the mill. A resilient support is attached to the housing, and a vibratory drive is attached to the housing and includes first and second eccentrically loaded motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Musschoot, William G. Guptail, Steve C. Wiechmann
  • Patent number: 7186347
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for separating a liquid from a liquid-laden solid material. The apparatus includes an inclined trough having a base with a first end and a second elevated with respect to the first end. A deck is attached to the trough base, the deck defining support points positioned above the base spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to support the solid material above the deck, and passages located between the support points to allow liquid to flow to the deck. A vibratory drive is attached to the trough and oriented impart a conveying motion toward the trough second end. Solid material deposited onto the deck is advanced toward the second end by the conveying motion while the liquid flows along the trough base toward the first end under gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight Paul Casey, Tobin Lane Imes, Oscar Lee Mathis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7108793
    Abstract: A method of separating a liquid from a liquid-laden solid material includes providing a trough having a deck defining a support surface with passages extending through the support surface. The liquid-laden solid material is deposited onto the support surface so that the liquid-laden solid material is supported by the support surface. A vibratory force is applied to the deck to separate a substantial portion of the liquid from the liquid-laden solid material. The liquid separated from the liquid-laden solid material is directed under gravity force through the passages extending through the support surface. The solid material is conveyed along the support surface by the vibratory force to a solids discharge point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight P. Casey, Tobin L. Imes, Oscar L. Mathis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7037048
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the inner edge of the deck and an outer wall coupled to the outer edge of the deck, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber. An inlet air plenum is provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures is formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, wherein the apertures are arranged in an air distribution pattern. An exhaust outlet fluidly communicates between the conveyor chamber and an air vacuum source. The conveyor may a catch floor disposed in a central chamber for receiving debris from an air stream. The vibratory force advances the debris to a discharge opening formed in the catch floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Markowski, Kurt Christopherson, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6827201
    Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Markowski, Kurt Christopherson, Eric Dickinson, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6743386
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus and method for agglomerating chopped bundles of wet fiberglass strands into uniform segments includes a container having a curved inner surface disposed about a generally horizontal axis where the container is mounted on a plurality of springs. The chopped bundles of wet fiberglass strands to be agglomerated are placed onto the curved inner surface at an input end of the container. A vibratory force is produced to cause the chopped bundles of wet fiberglass strands to be moved from the input end toward an output end of the container. The vibratory force causes the chopped bundles of wet fiberglass strands to be directed in a rising and falling path of rolling movement within the container. As a result of the rolling movement of the chopped bundles within the container which is produced by the vibratory force, the chopped bundles of wet fiberglass strands are converted into uniform segments by reason of agglomeration of the wet fiberglass strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 6705459
    Abstract: Complexity of construction of a vibratory feeder is minimized in an assembly including a base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) and an elongated, generally horizontal feeder (14; 100) spaced from the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118). A rotatably mounted eccentric (32; 126) is journaled on the feeder (14; 100) and is operable, when rotated, to impart vibration to the feeding surface (20; 104) of the feeder (14; 100). The feeder (14; 100) is interconnected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) by an interconnection that consists essentially of springs (60; 130) having first ends (62) connected to the feeder and opposite ends (64) connected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) while being located on a generally horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 6702102
    Abstract: An exciter mass assembly for vibratory processing equipment includes an exciter frame and at least one resilient member connecting the exciter frame to the vibratory processing equipment. A motor is supported by the exciter frame so that the exciter frame and motor define a frame center of gravity. The motor includes a rotating shaft defining a shaft center of gravity. The prime mover is positioned with respect to the exciter frame such that the shaft center of gravity is substantially coincident with the exciter mass center of gravity, thereby to minimize movement of the exciter mass assembly in unintended directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Edward Steffes, Jr., David A. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6680591
    Abstract: A phase angle monitoring apparatus for phase monitoring a vibratory system includes a controller that produces a phase angle control signal representative of the lead or lag between the vibratory movement of two vibrating masses. The phase angle control signal is coupled to at least one of the vibrating masses to adjust the vibration of the mass to produce a desired phase angle, for example one-hundred eighty degrees (180°).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Rusty Roger Knutson, Edward Charles Steffes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6453982
    Abstract: Apparatus for reclaiming sand is provided for removing impurities therefrom. The apparatus includes a vibratory conveyor in which the sand is fluidized and heated. The conveyor vibrates the sand to obtain a more uniform temperature. The apparatus may be used to clean used process sand, such as by pyrolyzing binder from foundry sand, or may be used to remove impurities from virgin sand, thereby minimizing the amount of silica which must be added to the virgin sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 6367959
    Abstract: A water blending apparatus for use in conditioning foundry sand. The apparatus creates a vertical sand stream flow path which increases the surface area of the sand stream and allows water to be applied to both sides of the sand stream rather than a single side, as known with conventional water mixing apparatus. In addition, the blending apparatus includes a housing inside which a pair of mixers thoroughly mix the wetted sand. Because the mixers are not positioned in-line with the main sand processing flow, as in conventional apparatus, the mixing time is not dependent upon the speed of the conveyor, and therefore mixing time may be increased. Furthermore, the agitators positioned inside the housing have a more efficient active area since a smaller clearance space is required than with over-the-conveyor style mixing devices, which must avoid contact with the conveyor belt. As a result, the sand may be cooled more quickly due to increased initial water coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Richard P. Kempf
  • Patent number: 6306337
    Abstract: A nosepiece for directing a charge into a crucible of a furnace. The nosepiece comprises a completely enclosed sleeve which more accurately directs the charge into the crucible. The sleeve has a distal portion that deflects the charge toward a center area of the crucible, thereby minimizing impact of the charge on the top edge of the crucible and its refractory liner. In addition, the nosepiece is split so that the distal portion is movable, thereby to provide access to an interior of the nosepiece. As a result, any bridging in the charge may be addressed by moving the distal portion to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, David A. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6286541
    Abstract: In order to provide a leak-proof coupling for a gas-carrying pipe having two pipe sections that are relatively movable, the coupling includes a first pipe section and a second pipe section that have respective coupling ends disposed in closely spaced adjacent relation to define a gap therebetween. The first pipe section has an upstream end in communication with a source of a pressurized gas and a first coupling end remote therefrom such that the upstream end receives the pressurized gas from the source and the gas then flows through the first pipe section from the upstream end to the first coupling end for discharge therefrom. The second pipe section has a second coupling end in communication with the first coupling end and receives the pressurized gas from the first pipe section and the gas then flows through the second pipe section from the second coupling end to the downstream end for discharge therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Oscar Mathis
  • Patent number: 6241951
    Abstract: In order to prevent material from passing into a plenum chamber, an assembly for fluidizing the material includes a deck supported above the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has an intake in communication with a source of pressurized air, and the deck includes an inverted channel for distributing the pressurized air to the material in a preselected air distribution pattern and an inverted channel for supporting the material in a position generally above and in spaced relation to the air distributing channel. With this arrangement, the material supporting channel is disposed in spaced relation to the air distributing channel to permit the pressurized air from the plenum chamber to fluidize the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6237749
    Abstract: A motor base for use in vibratory apparatus. The vibratory apparatus includes at least one eccentric drive having a driven shaft rotatably mounted on a moveable exciter. A motor is provided having a motor shaft which is spaced from the eccentric drive and coupled to the eccentric drive by a drive belt. Rotation of the motor is transferred by the drive belt to the eccentric drive, which generates a vibrational force. The vibrational force moves the exciter in various directions during operation of the vibratory apparatus. The motor base comprises a rigid support, such as an arm, having a free end adapted to carry the motor. The arm is supported to move about an axis of the driven shaft, so that the arm maintains a center distance between the motor shaft and the driven shaft. A resilient support, such as a compression spring, is attached to the free end of the arm, below the motor, to absorb any resulting forces acting on the arm from the movement of the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Musschoot, Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 6155404
    Abstract: A two-way drive for horizontally vibrating a feeder bed, including a reversible drive rotating one of two drive shafts rotatably connected so that the second drive shaft rotates at a speed which is a selected ratio (at least 2:1) of the speed of rotation of the first. A first eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the first drive shaft. A second eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the second drive shaft and movable between a first position on a first shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in one direction and a second position on a second shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot, deceased
  • Patent number: 6112883
    Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Edward Steffes, Jr., Claude T. Guenther-Hutchens, Dean C. Bichler
  • Patent number: 6029796
    Abstract: Drive motor size and energy costs are reduced in a bidirectional vibratory conveyor that includes a bed (10) with an elongated generally horizontal conveying surface (16) terminating an opposite ends (12, 14). Isolation springs (26) mount the bed (10) above the underlying terrain (32) and a vibration inducing assembly (40) that includes a rotatable shaft (56) and an eccentrically mounted weight (58) is mounted to the bed (10). A pair of generally horizontally acting, vibration amplification systems (72) are mounted on the bed (10) and sandwich the vibration inducing assembly (40). Conveying direction can be reversed simply by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor shaft (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: RE38756
    Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Edward Steffes, Jr., Claude T. Guenther-Hutchens, Dean C. Bichler