Patents Assigned to Glassline Corporation
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Patent number: 7244083Abstract: A cutting head assembly for use in cutting plate glass has a simplified drive train, all positioned about the vertical rotational centerline. The drive train includes a hollow bore drive motor having a drive adaptor directly engaged with a spline shaft that extends through the hollow bore. The lower end of the spline shaft is directly engaged with a cutting tool holder for retaining a cutting tool. The drive motor imparts rotational movement to the cutting tool through the spline shaft and the cylinder imparts vertical movement to the cutting tool by vertical movement of the spline shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Charles E. Gottschalk
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Patent number: 6997860Abstract: This apparatus is a centrifugal separator comprising a centrifuge bowl; a hollow spindle connected to the bowl; a scraper located within the interior of the bowl; a shaft connected to a scraper, the shaft extending through the hollow spindle; a single drive member directly engaged to the shaft for inducing rotation of the scraper within the bowl. A clutch is engaged between the shaft and spindle. In a high speed separation operation, the clutch engages and the bowl and scraper rotate at the same speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Mark H. Opfer
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Patent number: 6869341Abstract: A single-sided finishing apparatus is provided having a plurality of finishing stations with rotating transfer stations positioned therebetween. A hold down system presents the edge of the workpiece to the finishing head. The rotating transfer station includes a clamp for grasping a leading corner of a workpiece while rollers continue to drive the workpiece forward, thereby rotating the workpiece 90°.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventors: Mark Opfer, Brad Borkosky, John Harkness
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Patent number: 6722959Abstract: A glass plate tooling apparatus has independently driven loading and unloading tools which presents raw workpieces to, and removes finished workpieces from a centrally located machining station. The machining station holds the workpiece in a fixed orientation on first and second planes. Machine tools, such as a grinder apparatus and a drill apparatus are independently movable on the first plane to engage with and tool the workpiece. The machining station rotates to provide tool accessibility on a third plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Mark Opfer
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Patent number: 6508692Abstract: This device is a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool such as an edge grinding apparatus. More specifically, the device is a CNC apparatus for processing blanks such as a glass sheet. The device uses a sensor to program the path of the grinding wheel. The device analyzes the position of all like-workpieces placed in the machine and creates offset parameters to accurately process each workpiece in accordance with the initial preprogrammed path.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Charles E. Gottschalk
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Patent number: 6445971Abstract: This machine tool such as CNC edge grinding apparatus is an apparatus for machining small glass parts such as a side view mirror. For small parts, grind time can exceed by a considerable amount the load/unload time. This machine greatly increases the output of the system. It minimizes the waiting time by providing an auxiliary station for simultaneous unloading/loading while grinding. Controls integrate multiple axes, which are part of the holding mechanisms, with the linear axes of the grind head, to grind the part.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventors: Charles E. Gottschalk, Mark R. Kolkemeyer
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Patent number: 6325697Abstract: This device is a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool such as an edge grinding apparatus. More specifically, the device is a CNC apparatus for processing blanks such as a glass sheet. The device uses a sensor to program the path of the grinding wheel. The device analyzes the position of all like-workpieces placed in the machine and creates offset parameters to accurately process each workpiece in accordance with the initial preprogrammed path.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Charles E. Gottschalk
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Patent number: 5984624Abstract: The high speed rack loader/unloader system uses a two arm loading machine to allow flat pieces of material to be loaded on a horizontal conveyor from a vertical rack or to a vertical rack from a horizontal conveyor. The two arms are mounted on a single input, two output right angle gearbox. The outputs of the gearbox rotate in opposite directions so one arm is rotating up while the other arm is rotating down. The two arms are mounted at a roughly 90 degree angle from each other so one arm is at the conveyor while the other arm is at the rack. Each arm has a mechanism to allow the length of the arms to be positioned to four different lengths. Full extension, long extension, short extension and no extension. At the end of the arms are vacuum cups to hold the flat material during transfer. The rack is loaded on a moveable platform that indexes as pieces of material are added or removed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventors: Mark H. Opfer, Charles E. Gottschalk, Mark R. Kolkemeyer
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Patent number: 5956253Abstract: This device is a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool such as an edge grinding apparatus. More specifically, the device is a video controlled CNC apparatus for processing blanks such as a glass sheet. The device uses a video camera and monitor to program the path of the grinding wheel. The system requires a CNC machine, video camera, a video monitor, a vision board and software to calculate the offset parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Charles E. Gottschalk
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Patent number: 5916082Abstract: This separator is a centrifugal device for separating solids from contaminated effluent such as oil or water base coolants and other liquids which are used in a variety of grinding and machining applications in the glass, ceramic and metal-forming industries. A containment liner or bladder lines the interior of the separator and communicates with fluid inlets and outlets. An inlet orifice allows for the pulling of a vacuum which holds the bladder in place on the interior walls of the separator. Periodically, rotation is stopped, vacuum is released and the bladder is allowed to invert and drop below the separator. Hanging in this inverted position, it is easy to clean or remove the solids from the inverted bladder.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Mark H. Opfer
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Patent number: 5887325Abstract: This device includes a machine tool for cutting and breaking out parts such as a glass template, a positioning shuttle for moving the glass from the cutting station to the different grinders, and multiple grinders for grinding the edgework of the glass. The system uses standard cutting, break out, and grinder machine tools. The special part of the system is the shuttle that transfers the parts to the grinders without relocation. The shuttle maintains the fixed position of the blank with regard to the X, Y axis of the cutting station through the grinding operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventor: Mark H. Opfer
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Patent number: 5512031Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of a centrifugal separator which automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The method makes use of a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress, The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventors: Tom S. Ziems, Mark H. Opfer
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Patent number: 5454777Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the efficiency of the centrifugal separator automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The apparatus further includes a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress. The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1994Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Assignee: Glassline CorporationInventors: Tom S. Ziems, Mark H. Opfer