Patents Assigned to Wheelabrator Group, Inc.
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Patent number: 10717607Abstract: A turnover mechanism is configured to receive and flip over parts delivered by an in-feed conveyor to an out-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism includes a frame and a gripper assembly coupled to the frame. The gripper assembly is configured to secure and move a part having one surface treated from the in-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism further includes a flipper assembly coupled to the frame, the flipper assembly being configured to rotate and deliver the part to the out-feed conveyor with an opposite surface of the part exposed for treatment.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Shawn McBride, David Allen Hannusch, Ronald F C Wright
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Patent number: 10335923Abstract: A wheel assembly for a centrifugal blast wheel machine includes a blast wheel and several blades configured to throw blast media introduced into the blast wheel against a work piece. Each blade includes a first side having a first rail portion that extends along a length of the first side and a second side having a second rail portion that extends along a length of the second side. Each rail portion has a locking member positioned on an outside surface of the rail portion adjacent a first end of the blade. Each rail portion further has a contact surface that is configured to engage a surface of a seat of the blast wheel. Each blade further includes a positioning knob located on the first contact surface to prevent the blade from inadvertently being removed from the seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Douglas J. Kim, Brian Keith Allardice
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Patent number: 10239186Abstract: A system for internal air blasting of an enclosed space includes a ground vehicle, an arm supported by the ground vehicle, and a blasting nozzle provided at the end of the arm. The blasting nozzle being configured to direct blast media to a desired surface of the enclosed space to be treated by the arm. A method of internal air blasting an enclosed space is further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Shawn Horton, Jesse Erle
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Publication number: 20190023496Abstract: A turnover mechanism is configured to receive and flip over parts delivered by an in-feed conveyor to an out-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism includes a frame and a gripper assembly coupled to the frame. The gripper assembly is configured to secure and move a part having one surface treated from the in-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism further includes a flipper assembly coupled to the frame, the flipper assembly being configured to rotate and deliver the part to the out-feed conveyor with an opposite surface of the part exposed for treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2016Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: Wheelabrator Group, Inc.Inventors: Shawn McBRIDE, David Allen HANNUSCH, Ronald F C WRIGHT
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Patent number: 10155299Abstract: An impeller for a centrifugal blast wheel machine includes a hub provided at one end of the impeller, with the hub being configured to be coupled to the motor. The hub further includes a ring provided at an opposite end of the hub, with the ring defining a media inlet to receive blast media. The impeller further includes a plurality of cylindrical vanes positioned between the hub and the ring. The plurality of cylindrical vanes is spaced from one another on peripheries of the hub and the ring. The plurality of cylindrical vanes defines a plurality of impeller media outlets constructed and arranged to allow egress of blast media upon rotation of the impeller.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Douglas J. Kim, Jonathan M. Edwards
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Patent number: 9539585Abstract: A dynamic baffle system for a magnetic separator includes a containment barrier secured to a frame and positioned between a rotary screen drum and a magnetic drum. The dynamic baffle system further includes a baffle configured to block an opening of the containment barrier. The baffle is movable between an open position in which media mixture is capable of flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and a closed position in which the media mixture is prohibited from flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and configured to evenly build up on the containment barrier. The dynamic baffle system further includes a sensor and a controller coupled to the sensor and the baffle to control the amount of media mixture flowing from the rotary screen drum to the magnetic drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Michael Dwayne Reaves, David W. Howard
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Patent number: 9370781Abstract: A dynamic baffle system for a magnetic separator includes a containment barrier secured to a frame and positioned between a rotary screen drum and a magnetic drum. The dynamic baffle system further includes a baffle configured to block an opening of the containment barrier. The baffle is movable between an open position in which media mixture is capable of flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and a closed position in which the media mixture is prohibited from flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and configured to evenly build up on the containment barrier. The dynamic baffle system further includes a sensor and a controller coupled to the sensor and the baffle to control the amount of media mixture flowing from the rotary screen drum to the magnetic drum.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Reaves, David W. Howard
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Publication number: 20160136656Abstract: A dynamic baffle system for a magnetic separator includes a containment barrier secured to a frame and positioned between a rotary screen drum and a magnetic drum. The dynamic baffle system further includes a baffle configured to block an opening of the containment barrier. The baffle is movable between an open position in which media mixture is capable of flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and a closed position in which the media mixture is prohibited from flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and configured to evenly build up on the containment barrier. The dynamic baffle system further includes a sensor and a controller coupled to the sensor and the baffle to control the amount of media mixture flowing from the rotary screen drum to the magnetic drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Reaves, David W. Howard
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Patent number: 9242251Abstract: A dynamic baffle system for a magnetic separator includes a containment barrier secured to a frame and positioned between a rotary screen drum and a magnetic drum. The dynamic baffle system further includes a baffle configured to block an opening of the containment barrier. The baffle is movable between an open position in which media mixture is capable of flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and a closed position in which the media mixture is prohibited from flowing from the containment barrier to the magnetic drum and configured to evenly build up on the containment barrier. The dynamic baffle system further includes a sensor and a controller coupled to the sensor and the baffle to control the amount of media mixture flowing from the rotary screen drum to the magnetic drum.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Reaves, David W. Howard
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Patent number: 8620033Abstract: A surface measurement method includes inspecting a plurality of samples of a first irregular workpiece surface in two dimensions, determining, based on the inspections of the samples, a total number of surface peaks on each of the plurality of samples, and deriving a control limit from a statistical variation of the total number of surface peaks on each of the samples. The control limit specifies an out-of-tolerance condition for the total number of surface peaks on a second irregular workpiece surface. The method further includes inspecting a portion of the second irregular workpiece surface in two dimensions, determining, based on the inspection of the portion of the second irregular workpiece surface, a total number of surface peaks on the portion, and comparing the total number of surface peaks on the portion to the control limit to determine whether the second irregular workpiece surface is in the out-of-tolerance condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Wheelabrator Group, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Bitzel, Jr., Johnathan Jones
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Patent number: 8561786Abstract: A screw conveyor to move media includes a first feed screw having a first end portion, a second feed screw having a second end portion, and a support hanger assembly to support the first feed screw and the second feed screw. The support hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket having a vertical support member and an inner hub secured to and extending perpendicularly from the vertical support member, a shaft portion disposed within the inner hub, an inner sleeve configured to be disposed between the shaft portion and the inner hub, at least one outer hub coupled to the shaft portion, and an outer sleeve configured to be disposed between the inner hub and the at least one outer hub. The first feed screw and the second feed screw are coupled to the at least one outer hub. The inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve may be fabricated from low coefficient of friction material.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Wheelabrator Group, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Cecil Farrell, Shawn Douglas McBride
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Publication number: 20130213772Abstract: A screw conveyor to move media includes a first feed screw having a first end portion, a second feed screw having a second end portion, and a support hanger assembly to support the first feed screw and the second feed screw. The support hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket having a vertical support member and an inner hub secured to and extending perpendicularly from the vertical support member, a shaft portion disposed within the inner hub, an inner sleeve configured to be disposed between the shaft portion and the inner hub, at least one outer hub coupled to the shaft portion, and an outer sleeve configured to be disposed between the inner hub and the at least one outer hub. The first feed screw and the second feed screw are coupled to the at least one outer hub. The inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve may be fabricated from low coefficient of friction material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventor: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.
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Patent number: 8403128Abstract: A screw conveyor to move media includes a first feed screw having a first end portion, a second feed screw having a second end portion, and a support hanger assembly to support the first feed screw and the second feed screw. The support hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket having a vertical support member and an inner hub secured to and extending perpendicularly from the vertical support member, a shaft portion disposed within the inner hub, an inner sleeve configured to be disposed between the shaft portion and the inner hub, at least one outer hub coupled to the shaft portion, and an outer sleeve configured to be disposed between the inner hub and the at least one outer hub. The first feed screw and the second feed screw are coupled to the at least one outer hub. The inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve may be fabricated from low coefficient of friction material.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Wheelabrator Group, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Cecil Farrell, Shawn Douglas McBride
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Publication number: 20120261236Abstract: A screw conveyor to move media includes a first feed screw having a first end portion, a second feed screw having a second end portion, and a support hanger assembly to support the first feed screw and the second feed screw. The support hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket having a vertical support member and an inner hub secured to and extending perpendicularly from the vertical support member, a shaft portion disposed within the inner hub, an inner sleeve configured to be disposed between the shaft portion and the inner hub, at least one outer hub coupled to the shaft portion, and an outer sleeve configured to be disposed between the inner hub and the at least one outer hub. The first feed screw and the second feed screw are coupled to the at least one outer hub. The inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve may be fabricated from low coefficient of friction material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: WHEELABRATOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Cecil Farrell, Shawn Douglas McBride
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Patent number: 6949014Abstract: A control cage for an abrasive blasting wheel includes a housing forming an interior chamber, a blast media outlet positioned in the housing, and a channel formed in an inner side of the housing. A distribution device for an abrasive blasting wheel includes an impeller having a media inlet at one end adapted to receive blast media and a plurality of impeller media outlets constructed and arranged to allow egress of the blast media upon rotation of the impeller, a control cage surrounding the impeller and having a cage media outlet adapted for passage of the blast media, and a channel formed between the impeller and the control cage. The channel of the distribution device may be formed on an inner side of the control cage, an outer side of the impeller, or both.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Wheelabrator Group, Inc.Inventors: Ronald G. Barrier, Mathew L. Loutzenheiser, Pierre L. Tanguay