Patents Assigned to General Kinematics
  • Patent number: 6000644
    Abstract: Inefficiencies in reclaiming foundry sand from foundry cores made up of sand and an organic resin binder are reduced in a method of reclaiming such sand that includes the steps of reducing a foundry core made up of sand and an organic resin binder to small clumps or individual particles, placing the small clumps or individual particles in a bed and introducing a heated gaseous oxidant into the bed generally from the bottom thereof in sufficient volume to fluidize the bed and at sufficient temperature to oxidize the resin binder on the small clumps or individual particles. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5984105
    Abstract: In order to separate two classifiable materials, a material classifying apparatus includes a vibratory conveyor for conveying a fluidizable material from a material to be separated therefrom from an inlet end through a material separation section to an outlet end located downstream of the material separation section. A plenum chamber directs air upwardly through the fluidizable material and the material to be separated therefrom in the material separation section of the vibratory conveyor to cause fluidization of the fluidizable material and separation of the material to be separated therefrom by forming the material separation section to include a fluidizing deck for supporting the two classifiable materials while accommodating passage of air upwardly from the plenum chamber therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. Lease, Steve Massman, Steven C. Wiechmann
  • Patent number: 5967222
    Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5934446
    Abstract: Bearing failure and noise generation problems of prior art vibratory conveyors are eliminated in a construction including a trough 10 having an elongated, generally horizontal conveying surface 18 with opposed ends 14, 16. Resilient slats 20 mount the trough 12 above a base and an exciter mechanism including rotatable shafts 24, 52, each having an eccentric 28, 56 are connected via connecting arms 38, 84 to the trough 12 to vibrate the same in a horizontal plane. A bi-directional electric motor 78 is utilized as a drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5931664
    Abstract: A non-mechanical leak proof coupling for use on a gas carrying pipe having two pipe sections which are moveable relative to each other. The coupling includes a first pipe section having an upstream end in flow communication with a stationary gas source and further includes a second pipe section having a downstream end in flow communication with a vibrating distribution chamber. A downstream end of the first pipe section and an upstream end of the second pipe section are disposed in closely spaced relation to define a gap therebetween. The first pipe section downstream end is in flow communication with the second pipe section upstream end such that the pressurized gas is communicated between the first pipe section to the second pipe section for discharge to the vibrating distribution chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5924473
    Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5901775
    Abstract: In order to effectively heat treat and decore a metal casting, and thereafter fully reclaim the core sand for reuse, a two-stage system processes metal castings and core sand formed of sand and binder. The two-stage system includes a first stage for removing the core sand from the metal casting while at the same time heat treating the metal casting, and it also includes a separate, second stage for reclaiming the core sand. For this purpose, fluidized and heated sand is utilized as the castings and sand are conveyed together in the first stage and the sand alone is conveyed in the second stage for recirculation of at least a portion of the sand to the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5713457
    Abstract: Bearing failure and noise generation problems of prior art, vibratory feeders are eliminated in a construction including a bed (10) having an elongated, generally horizontal feeding or conveying surface (56) having opposed ends (52) and (54). Spaced resilient isolation elements (58) mount the bed (50) above the underlying terrain (68) and a rotatable shaft (74) with an eccentrically mounted weight (56) is journalled to the bed (50) for bi-directional rotation about a generally horizontal axis. A pair of dynamic balancers (82), (84) are connected to the bed, one on each side of the shaft (74) and serve to reduce the vertical component of vibration imparted to the surface (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5669711
    Abstract: Shipping costs incurred in the shipping of particulate material in bulk may be reduced through the use of a vibratory compaction unit that settles the bulk material within the container during the loading process enabling a greater quantity of the particulate material to be loaded into a container of a given volume. The vibratory compaction unit includes a clamping deck 40 having a generally vertical face 44 together with spaced contact blocks 96 located on the clamping deck 40 and extending from the face 44. Clamping hooks 94 are located on the clamping deck 40 for engaging lifting pockets 16, 18, of a universal shipping container 14 or the like to firmly clamp the container 14 against the contact blocks 16. An exciter mass 52 is spaced from but adjacent to the clamping deck 40 and a vibration imparting motors 64, 66, 68 are located on the exciter mass 52. Amplification springs 60 interconnect the clamping deck 40 and the exciter mass 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Spence, III, Paul Casey
  • Patent number: 5666852
    Abstract: A counterweight is freely pivoted on a rotatably driven unbalanced eccentric weight member such that at start up the counterweight does not add materially to the unbalance created by the eccentric weight member and such that as the motor attains operating speed the freely pivoted counterweight is slung outward relative to the eccentric weight member thus adding unbalance to the eccentric weight member and increasing the vibratory forces generated by the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5657902
    Abstract: In order to convey granular material from an upstream processing location, a vibratory feeder includes a conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end disposed in spaced apart relation. The conveyor has the inlet end disposed in a position to receive the material from an outlet of a source of the material by way of gravity. The vibratory feeder utilizes an unbalanced motor for vibrating the conveyor to apply a vibratory force causing the material to be conveyed from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof. The transfer of the material from the source to the conveyor is controlled by using a receptacle have a valve for dispensing the material in the receptacle at the inlet end of the conveyor. Specifically, the receptacle receives the material from the source by gravity and the valve opens and closes dependent upon accumulation of the material in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5591074
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided and comprises a generally horizontally arranged container having a material supporting surface with means for resiliently mounting the container relative to a support surface. A bracket is resiliently mounted relative to the support surface and is resiliently mounted to the container. A vibration generator means is mounted on the bracket at a location offset on one side of the container. The vibration generator means generating a vibratory force along a linear path offset from the container. Part of the resilient mounting of the container on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket to the container are all variable rate resilient means which can be adjusted to meet certain desired parameters in operating the apparatus. The resilient mounting of the container to the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket and vibration generator to the support surface are 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5512008
    Abstract: A vibratory material handling apparatus is provided for mixing of materials, cleaning, blending and/or shake out of castings or the like. The apparatus comprises a container having a material supporting surface disposed along a generally horizontal longitudinal axis. The container has a material input end and a material discharge end axially spaced therefrom and it is resiliently mounted relative to a mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a vibration generator for producing a force to cause material within the container to be directed in a path of tumbling movement generally in a direction from the material input end toward the material discharge end of the container. With this arrangement, a tumbling assist mechanism is provided for applying a force to the material in addition to the force produced by the vibration generator to facilitate tumbling of the material as it moves along the path of tumbling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5505247
    Abstract: In order to effectively enhance the overall efficiency in casting operations, a process and system for cooling and cleaning a casting is disclosed. The process and system include removing the casting from a molding machine after it has been formed. The casting is then moved to a punch-out station for removing it from a sand mold. Next, the casting is moved to a shake-out station for shaking residual sand from it. The casting is then conveyed away from the shake-out station on a cooling conveyor. Next, the temperature of the casting is monitored at or near a downstream end of the cooling conveyor. The casting is then transferred from the cooling conveyor into a vibratory cooling drum where it is further cooled. In addition to these unique aspects, the process and system includes controlling the rate of cooling of the casting within the vibratory cooling drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5230163
    Abstract: A weir gate assembly includes a substantially rectangular weir gate immersed in a fluidized bed of material with a pair of resilient links rotatably connecting the weir gate and the material conveying trough through which the flow travels. A rotatable arm is pivoted on the housing and is connected to the weir gate such that rotation of the arm varies the configuration of the weir gate within the fluidized bed of material. Rotation of the arm forces a lower weir edge into sealed engagement with the conveying trough and deforms the links such that the relationship of an upper weir edge to the lower weir edge is varied to regulate the depth of the flow. A guide slot with a clamp bolt is provided for guiding rotation of the rotatable arm and maintaining the configuration of the weir gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5178259
    Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus including a material carrying member having a material supporting surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second vibrators for producing first and second vibratory forces for imparting movement to the material carrying member at first and second acute angles to the material supporting surface. The vibratory forces of the first and second vibrators each have a vertical force component as well as a horizontal force component for imparting movement to a material on the material supporting surface in the first and second directions relative to the material supporting surface. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controlling the first and second vibrators in such manner as to impart controlled movement to the material relative to the material supporting surface in the first direction, the second direction, or vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: General Kinematics
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5131525
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is provided that has only horizontal conveying motion acting on material lying in the plane of an elongate trough. A vibration generating apparatus is positioned selectively between the ends of the conveying trough. The vibration generating apparatus can be repositioned to any desired location along the trough to take advantage of the improved conveying action and the reduced deflection and twisting of the trough. The vibration generating apparatus includes a driving motor using a flexible drive to power two pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, with one pair being driven at twice the speed of the other pair so as to provide a motion on the material that moves the material along the plane of the trough with virtually no vertical component relative to the plane of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5108589
    Abstract: A material separating apparatus for separating particles up to a preselected size from a material having particles of different sizes therein includes a trough having a material input end longitudinally spaced from a material discharge end. The apparatus also includes a separator having a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger screen sections between the input end and the discharge end and along the longitudinal axis of the trough. The finger screen sections each have a backbone extending from side to side across the width of the trough and also each have forwardly extending fingers connected at one end to the backbone. The fingers are spaced side by side from each other by a preselected amount at forward ends thereof sufficient to allow particles up to the preselected size to pass through the fingers as the trough is vibrated to cause the material to move from the input end to the discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond W. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5094342
    Abstract: A vibratory conveyor arranged so that the vibrations have a substantially greater horizontal than vertical movement. More particularly, the vertical acceleration of material carried by the material-carrying member is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the material-carrying member. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the material-carrying member to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: RE35331
    Abstract: A material separating apparatus for separating particles up to a preselected size from a material having particles of different sizes therein includes a trough having a material input longitudinally spaced from a material discharge end. The apparatus also includes a separator having a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger screen sections between the input end and the discharge end and along the longitudinal axis of the trough. The finger screen sections each have a backbone extending from side to side across the width of the trough and also each have forwardIy extending fingers connected at one end to the backbone. The fingers are spaced side by side from each other by a preselected amount at forward ends thereof sufficient to allow particles up to the preselected size to pass through the fingers as the trough is vibrated to cause the material to move from the input end to the discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond W. Sherman