Patents Assigned to The Johnson Corporation
  • Patent number: 7028756
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for increasing a transfer of thermal energy through an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical dryer of a papermaking machine to a peripheral outer surface of the dryer. The apparatus includes a plurality of bars of rectangular cross-sectional configuration, each of the bars extending axially within the dryer. The bars are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other with each of the bars being urged outwardly against the inner surface of the dryer. Also, each of the bars defines an axially extending enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Alan T. Ives, Gerald L. Timm, Gregory L. Wedel
  • Patent number: 7004509
    Abstract: A rotary joint comprising a stationary head including a fluid chamber therein, the chamber opening at a bottom surface of the heaf, a rotatable nipple having an outer surface and an internal axial passageway in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and a seal member disposed on the outer surface of the nipple. The seal member comprises a rigid body including a radial flange portion having opposite first and second surfaces each carrying at least one seal, the seal of the first surface sealingly engaging the bottom surface of the head. The seal member and the nipple are radially moveable in relation to the fixed head while maintaining sealing engagement between the at least one seal of the first surface of the radial flange portion and the bottom surface of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew H. Beach, Alan T. Ives
  • Patent number: 6203072
    Abstract: A rotary joint for a heat transfer drum using a stationary syphon pipe system. The syphon pipe is supported on a syphon tube adjustably mounted upon the rotary joint body whereby the distance between the syphon pipe intake and the drum shelf can be very accurately adjusted and maintained. Also, the syphon pipe is mounted upon the syphon tube in a pivotal manner to permit ready installation of the syphon system and employs a locking threaded sleeve arrangement assuring accurate location of the syphon pipe relative to the syphon tube upon the syphon pipe pivoting to its operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond R. Berghuis, Edmund Kozlowski, Jennifer J. Baker, Timothy N. L. Henry, James A. Medsker
  • Patent number: 6126207
    Abstract: A self-supported rotary joint for introducing a heating or cooling medium, such as steam or water, into a rotating drying or cooling drum. The rotary joint is supported upon the drum structure by a rotating bearing housing whose bearings support the stationary nipple. The nipple supports the stationary rotary joint body head, and the stationary syphon support tube which supports the stationary syphon structure inside the drum. To prevent damage to the hoses supplying steam or water to the joint body head, and removing condensate or water from the joint, in the event of bearing seizure causing rotating of the nipple, the joint body head is mounted upon the nipple outer end by frangible connectors in the form of shear pins which prevent excessive torque being imposed on the joint body head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Alan T. Ives
  • Patent number: 5931507
    Abstract: A rotary joint for establishing fluid tight communication between a rotating drum and a heating or cooling medium such as steam or water wherein the joint includes a normally stationary body connected to supply or discharge conduits, and the body includes a rotating nipple coaxially threaded into the end of the drum. For ease of installation, maintenance and removal, the normally relatively rotatable body and nipple are selectively locked together to prevent relative rotation permitting rotation of the body to thread or unthread the nipple relative to the drum journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Medsker
  • Patent number: 5533569
    Abstract: A stationary syphon system for heat exchanger rolls, particularly suited for use with steam heated rolls wherein condensate must be removed from the roll chamber, utilizing a pivoted pick-up conduit mounted upon a journal conduit which is rigidly supported against radial deflection by a bearing interposed between the journal conduit inner end and the roll structure. The bearing may be mounted within a tube insertable into the journal bore to facilitate maintenance and replacement, and the condensate receiving end of the pick-up conduit is very accurately positioned with respect to the roll chamber inner surface by a positive locking arrangement remotely operated at the journal outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignees: The Johnson Corporation, Maschinenfabrik Friese GmbH & Co. Kg.
    Inventors: John C. Reibel, Uwe Schindhelm
  • Patent number: 5528838
    Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for thermally insulating selected portions of a cylindrical dryer drum, usually adjacent the drum ends, for the purpose of obtaining a substantially uniform drum shell temperature throughout its length to obtain a uniform moisture profile throughout the width of the web being dried. A plurality of cylindrical segments are bolted together within the drum interior to define a circumferential assembly biased against the drum inner surface. The segments each include a thermal insulation material engaging the drum shell preventing direct access of that engaged portion of the shell with the steam within the drum thereby reducing the exterior temperature of the drum shell at the location of the thermally insulated segment. The segments may be bolted together, widthwise, to increase the axial dimension of the temperature controlling segment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Timm, John H. Peter
  • Patent number: 5303959
    Abstract: A rotary joint for supplying and/or removing a fluid heat transfer medium to/from a rapidly rotating roll or drum supported upon journals. The rotary joint nipple threads into the journal bore and closely fitting complementarily shaped cylindrical surfaces on the journal end and joint nipple interengage to concentrically relate the joint to the journal, and engaging radial surfaces on the journal and nipple further coaxially position the joint with respect to the journal to prevent relative tilting. In an embodiment the joint nipple includes an internal seal ring axially biased against a counterseat to reduce the rotary joint axial dimension and permit utilization of wider spaced bearings which improves stability, balances bearing loads and increases bearing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Medsker
  • Patent number: 5226677
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery, such as a dryer drum, where the joint is conveying steam by means of a rotating nipple and sealing structure. The primary elements are a stationary housing comprised of a head, body and a wear plate, a pickup tube and a spring biased nipple with a collar which engages a molybdenum lubricated reverse radius seal ring. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two guide bearings supporting the nipple, the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar which is spring biased against a reverse radius seal ring intermediate the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm
  • Patent number: 5169181
    Abstract: A rotary joint for rotating heat exchangers of the drum or roll type having a journal wherein damage to the rotary joint by radial impact forces is minimized by mounting the joint housing upon the rotating journal, the joint nipple is stationary and mounted upon the fluid receiving head and spherical roller bearings are interposed between the housing and nipple. The primary fluid seal is located adjacent the heat exchanger journal and impact forces between the seal components and nipple, and their surrounding structure, is absorbed by the use of annular elastic glide rings which also function as fluid seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Timm, James A. Medsker
  • Patent number: 5110162
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery where the joint is conveying high temperature corrosive fluids such as molten salts. The joint includes both a stationary head to which external connections are made and a housing mounted on and rotating with a rotary apparatus with which the joint communicates. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two sleeve bearings disposed between a nipple coaxially extending from the head and the joint housing surrounding the nipple; the sleeve bearings being axially displaced from each other, the primary seal occupying an intermediate position. The primary seal is a spherical seal, interposed between a stationary nipple seal surface and a rotary housing sealing surface. The seal is preloaded by means of an external joint biasing support bracket to reduce leakage under conditions of low internal fluid pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm
  • Patent number: 5109612
    Abstract: A low differential pressure rotary syphon for the purpose of removing condensate from the interior of steam a heated dryer drum under low differential pressure conditions. The reduction in the magnitude of differential pressure required to remove the condensate is accomplished through the direct introduction of steam into a central plenum area receiving condensate thereby reducing the mass density of the condensate mixture. The reduction in mass density and the steam introduced acting directly on the condensate within the central plenum area facilitates the removal of the condensate from the drying drum interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Timm
  • Patent number: 5098135
    Abstract: A rotary joint for introducing or removing a heat exchanging medium, such as steam, from a rotary dryer drum characterized by its ability to accommodate significant axial expansion or contraction with respect to the axis of drum rotation. A rod supported housing includes an axially displaceable nipple having an end engaging an annular seal ring associated with a drum journal mounted wear plate. Axial movement between the wear plate and joint housing is accommodated by relative movement between the housing and nipple, and preferably, springs axially bias the nipple into engagement with a self-aligning seal ring to maintain a fluid tight connection under all thermal and pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Timm
  • Patent number: 5067824
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that comveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm, Roger D. Wiedenbeck
  • Patent number: 4971367
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that conveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm, Roger D. Wiedenbeck
  • Patent number: 4758026
    Abstract: A rotary joint for establishing communication of a pressurized medium with a rotating heat exchanger drum wherein the joint seals and associated structure are of such configuration to permit internal balancing with respect to fluid pressures imposed thereon. A rotating nipple within the joint body utilizes spherical seal surfaces engaging annular seal rings to achieve self alignment and the nipple includes spring biased collars which automatically compensate for wear and retaining structure limits collar displacement to prevent joint damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Timm
  • Patent number: 4635969
    Abstract: A rotary joint for use with rotating heat exchanger drums particularly suitable for installations utilizing higher fluid pressures, temperatures and rotative speeds. The joint includes a nipple mounted upon the drum shaft having an enlarged diameter portion within a body chamber upon which a pair of seals are mounted having differential pressure faces to balance fluid medium pressures imposed upon the seals, seal wear does not produce relative axial displacement between the nipple and body, and concentric alignment between the nipple and body is maintained by axially spaced alignment bushings interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Eldon D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4606561
    Abstract: A rotary joint for a rotating heat exchanging drum directly attached to the end of the drum journal utilizes a flange and adapter to mount a seal on the journal and the joint body is fixed with respect to the journal and supports a seal plate in which an annular seal is biased toward the journal mounted plate by springs. The body mounted seal includes differential pressure area surfaces to balance the fluid pressures imposed thereon, and the springs are isolated from the fluid within the body. The joint eliminates metal-to-metal engagement of moving parts, and the seals may be readily replaced when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Eldon D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4574497
    Abstract: This invention relates to a safety shoe of the type having an upper with a box toe cap in the toe portion thereof and an outer sole of relatively yielding, resilient and flexible material secured to the upper and having a supporting plate of relatively rigid material embedded in and surrounded by the material of the outer sole and having a configuration similar to the generally U-shaped configuration of the lower edge of the safety box toe and being disposed beneath said lower edge in registry therewith so as to impart additional support thereto when a blow or force is applied to the toe cap.In a preferred embodiment of the invention the supporting plate is formed of a relatively rigid, hard, polymeric material and has a plurality of apertures formed therein into which the material of the outer sole extends to help anchor the supporting plate in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Endicott Johnson Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Jindra
  • Patent number: 4262940
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary joint wherein pressures imposed upon the joint by the pressurized medium therein are internally compensated. The joint is characterized by its ability to accommodate axial drum expansion, minimize rotative friction and the major joint components are self-aligning with respect to rotary motion. The basic components include a body member receiving an end of a nipple member, one of the members being fixed against axial displacement. A single annular nipple seal mounted upon the nipple member within the body member chamber engaging a seal ring constitutes the sole mechanical connection between the body and nipple members, and the fact that the nipple seal is axially displaceable upon the nipple member permits an internal compensation of axial forces produced within the joint, permits accommodation of axial thermal expansion of the joint components, and the spherical configuration of the nipple seal provides self alignment between the body and nipple members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Wiedenbeck, Eldon D. Jackson