Patents Assigned to Touchstone, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5642774
    Abstract: A system for mounting a side frame to a heat exchanger is provided in which the heat exchanger has a header plate and the side frame, a radial extending flange that lies parallel and adjacent to the header with aligned openings in the header and side frame flange. For each of the aligned openings, a spacer that is used has a tubular portion at one end and an enlarged diameter flange at the other. A bolt extends through the aligned openings and through the spacer. A nut on the bolt secures the spacer to the header. A tubular elastomeric washer is received on the spacer tubular portion and is compressed between the spacer radial flange and the side flange. Changes in length of the heat exchanger are permitted without changing the length of the side frame by compression of the elastomeric washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5613551
    Abstract: An improved radiator assembly for supporting a cooling core has first and second push pads positioned contiguous to the opposite sides of the cooling core. The push pads have spaced apart slots therein. First and second side rails are positioned contiguous to the first and second push pads. The side rails have spaced apart tabs that extend within the push pad slots. The slots are of greater longitudinal dimension than the tabs thereby permitting the push pads to move longitudinally relative to the side rails. A plurality of tie rods extend between the side rails to hold the side rails and thereby the radiator assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5435968
    Abstract: An enhanced bonding design utilizing tin and copper to create tin alloy solders for use in the manufacturing of heat exchangers and other soldering applications. The tin alloy solders contain as primary constituent metals 3.0-15.0 wt. % copper and 79.0-97.0 wt. % tin, and containing as optional constituent metals 0.0-4.0 wt. % silver, 0.0-1.0 wt. % selenium and 0.0-1.0 wt. % bismuth. These solder alloys have lower toxicity levels and better corrosion resistance than the lead based alloy solders commonly employed. Also, because the application temperature range for these solder alloys is below the temperature where dezincification of copper/zinc base metal alloys occurs, joints on copper/zinc base metals subjected to cyclic loads are stronger when constructed using these tin alloy solders than when constructed of lead based alloy solders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Panthofer
  • Patent number: 5301584
    Abstract: The present invention is a pair of split dies comprises of a pair of fixed die halves, with each fixed die half having an associating movable die insert. The pair of split dies are separated from each other in order to admit a cutting blade therebetween and a variable width opening is formed between each of the fixed die halves and their associating movable die inserts. The movable die inserts move toward the fixed die halves and thereby decrease the width of the openings in response to cam means attaching to the blade which engage movable cam tracks located on the movable die inserts opposite the openings. The openings close on tubing located within the openings so that the tubing is held stationary on either side of where the blade cuts the tubing. The movable die inserts move away from the fixed die halves and thereby increase the width of the openings in response to disengagement with the cam means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5237934
    Abstract: The present invention is a control device that allows an operator to partially open a gate valve found at the bottom of a railway freight car hopper in order to obtain a sample of a flowable particulate or granular product contained within the hopper but preventing the gate valve from fully opening so as to partially unload the hopper. The device is provided with a rotatable operating shaft having attaching to it a structure for opening and closing the gate valve in response to rotation of the operating shaft. The operating shaft is provided with two ends that extend through end panels of the hopper. One of the two ends is provided with a lockable sample control handle and the second of the two ends is provided with an angled slot by which a lockable control handle movably attaches. The angled slot allows the operating shaft to be rotated when the control handle is locked closed by unlocking and turning the sample control handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5201285
    Abstract: A controlled cooling system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine having a heat exchange radiator, liquid coolant to absorb heat from the engine, a pump to circulate coolant through the system, a fan to force air in heat exchange with the engine coolant radiator and a radiator for the charge-air after cooler coolant. The cooling and turbocharge system includes a temperature control valve to direct a portion of the liquid coolant discharged from the engine to the radiator and to direct a portion of the liquid coolant to bypass the radiator in response to the temperature of the liquid coolant after discharge from the engine. A liquid subcooler heat exchanger lowers the temperature of the liquid coolant by passing the coolant in heat exchange with forced air from the fan. A flow control valve directs a portion of the liquid coolant discharged from the radiator to the subcooler heat exchanger and the remainder of the liquid coolant to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Touchstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Lester E. McTaggart