Patents Assigned to General Kinematics
  • Patent number: 7322569
    Abstract: A two mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20080017554
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Musschoot, William Guptail, Steve Wiechmann
  • Publication number: 20070297863
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: RICHARD KRAUS, Kurt Christopherson, Robert Markowski
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070240741
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for removing particulate materials from an object includes a container having a curved inner surface disposed about a generally horizontally extending longitudinal axis, the container being resiliently supported above a base. A plate is disposed in the container with a first edge spaced from the curved surface of the container and a second edge proximate to the curved surface of the container, the plate having openings therethrough. A vibration generator produces a vibratory force to cause the object and media within the container to be moved in a generally rising and falling path of rolling movement along the curved inner surface, the motion of the object being impeded by the plate while the motion of the media is not impeded by the plate, the media instead moving through the openings in the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel Lease
  • Publication number: 20070221546
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a separation deck free of stepwise changes in elevation between a first end and a second end, the separation deck comprising a plurality of spaces through which a constituent material may pass, a plurality of scrubbers disposed on the deck, the plurality of scrubbers having a first end disposed at a higher elevation than the deck in at least a first state, and a vibratory generator coupled to the deck. The mixed material moves over the deck and the scrubbers from the first end to the second end by the motion imparted by the vibratory generator. Components of the mixed material move relative to each other as the components move over the scrubbers, thereby causing the constituents material attached to the components of the mixed material to separate and pass through the spaces in the separation deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oscar Mathis, Gordon Frank, Derek Kerkera
  • Publication number: 20070170207
    Abstract: A bin activator apparatus includes first and second motors, each motor having an eccentric weight coupled thereto. The activator apparatus also includes first and second phase angle sensors associated with the first and second motors for generating first and second position signals indicative of the positions of the eccentric weights, a controller responsive to the first and second position signals for measuring a real time phase angle between the eccentric weights, comparing the real time phase angle to a user-entered desired phase angle, and generating a phase angle error signal, and a frequency drive operably coupled to at least the first motor and responsive to the phase angle error signal for adjusting the speed of the first motor until the real phase angle is substantially equal to the desired phase angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Kraus, Edward Steffes, Rusty Knutson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070144979
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for separating a liquid from a liquid-laden solid material includes a trough having a base, a deck attached to the trough, and a vibratory drive attached to the trough. The deck includes a plurality of support members extending longitudinally along the trough, each support member having a solid wall surface with an upwardly oriented apex defining a support point and two edges disposed on opposite sides of the upwardly oriented apex, the apexes being spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to support the solid material above the base, the edges of adjacent support members being spaced to define a passage therebetween, and the apexes being located at an elevation sufficiently above the base to allow liquid to drain from the solid material and flow through the passage to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dwight Casey, Tobin Imes, Oscar Mathis
  • Publication number: 20070125624
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor includes a trough, a linear-stroke exciter mass assembly coupled to the trough at a central region thereof, first and second vibration generators attached to the trough on opposite sides of the exciter mass assembly, and isolators coupled to and supporting the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steve Massman
  • Publication number: 20070108023
    Abstract: A conveyor may include a conveyor includes a frame, a trough supported on the frame, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The trough has a trough wall with a first plurality of apertures, and a plurality of baffles are spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oscar Mathis, Richard Kempf
  • Publication number: 20070068852
    Abstract: A separator system may include a first trough having an inlet end, a downstream, outlet end and a trough floor, a first screen section supported in the trough spaced from the trough floor, the first screen section having a first end and a second downstream end, a material-retaining surface disposed at the downstream end of the first screen section, the material-retaining surface disposed at an angle relative to the first screen section to limit the movement of material across the first screen section, and a vibratory generator coupled to the trough. The separator system may alternatively or in addition include a gate disposed at the end of the screen section, the gate having a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Lease, Dan Britton, Steve Wiechmann
  • Publication number: 20070054030
    Abstract: A vibratory media mill may be used to perform simultaneous grinding and intimate mixing of edible fat-based slurries or emulsions. The invention has particular applicability in the field of chocolate manufacture, where the vibratory media mill can eliminate use of traditional five-roll refiners and/or conches. The vibratory media mill is cheaper and simpler to operate and maintain than traditional grinding and mixing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roy Peterson, Stephen Beavers, Jonathan Hipps, Peter Kashulines, Michael Hill, Barry Glazier, Kenneth Weaber, Ronald Layton, David Pontzer
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20060147277
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved 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 deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Markowski, Kurt Christopherson, Richard Kraus
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060076279
    Abstract: A vibratory material separating apparatus has at least two plateau conveying surfaces interrupted by a drop out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the first conveying plateau and over a foraminous section in the first conveying plateau adjacent the drop out opening. Air is directed upwardly through the foraminous section to break apart the composite mixture, and an air supply formed by an air duct is also directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the first conveying plateau to further break apart the composite mixture and to propel particles of predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second conveying plateau. The air duct is adjustable between a first position and a second position to form an air stream having an adjustable and width. In another aspect, a separating tube is located between and spaced from the first and second conveying plateaus, within the drop out opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Guptail
  • Publication number: 20060054465
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Kraus, Kurt Christopherson, Robert Markowski
  • 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