Patents by Inventor Bradley M. Roberts
Bradley M. Roberts has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6543121Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: General Electro Mechanical Corp.Inventors: Thomas H. Speller, Jr., Bernhard Kittelberger, Robert J. Kellner, Mark J. Andrews, Bradley M. Roberts
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Publication number: 20020100156Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Thomas H. Speller,, Bernhard Kittelberger, Robert J. Kellner, Mark J. Andrews, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 6357100Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: General Electro-Mechanical CorporationInventors: Thomas H. Speller, Jr., Bernhard Kittelberger, Robert J. Kellner, Mark J. Andrews, Bradley M. Roberts
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Publication number: 20010039713Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation me by obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 1998Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: THOMAS H. SPELLER JR., BERNHARD KITTELBERGER, ROBERT J. KELLNER, MARK J. ANDREWS, BRADLEY M. ROBERTS
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Patent number: 5829115Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: General Electro Mechanical CorpInventors: Thomas H. Speller, Jr., Bernhard Kittelberger, Robert J. Kellner, Mark J. Andrews, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5647111Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine for installing fasteners in a workpiece and including at least one tool for performing a fastener installation operation on the workpiece, a component such as one of the tools for holding a fastener in spaced relation to the workpiece prior to installation therein and sealant applicator apparatus movable into and out of operative association with the fastener for applying sealant to the fastener prior to installation in the workpiece. Sealant application to the fastener is provided automatically as part of the fastener installation operation. The sealant applicator apparatus comprises a pair of sealant applicators in spaced-apart opposed facing relation and movable toward each other into sealant applying relation with the fastener. Each sealant applicator has an end shaped to confirm to a portion of the outer surface of the fastener. The applicators are readily removable to facilitate maintenance and replacement.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventors: John W. Zienkiewicz, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5621970Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a wing panel or other member for riveting or conducting other operations thereon. The member is loaded at floor level on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders spaced over the length thereof and raised to a position for conducting the operations thereon. The hydraulic fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders is controlled to synchronize the movements of the cylinder piston rods so that each of the piston rods bears its share of the load throughout raising and lowering of the member. The cylinders are also individually operated to accommodate passage of riveting machine heads or other tooling relative to the member.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James J. Birke, Joseph Dionne, Kurt R. Kubanek
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Patent number: 5613395Abstract: In an automatic apparatus including a frame defining a work axis relative to a workpiece held in position relative to the frame, a transfer assembly on the frame and operatively associated with a machine tool for moving the machine tool into and out of positional alignment with the work axis, and a coldworking tool carried by the transfer assembly and defining a coldworking tool axis that is spaced from the axis of the tool. The coldworking tool is movable into an operative position with the axis thereof being coincident with the work axis when the transfer assembly moves the machine tool out of positional alignment with the work axis whereupon the coldworking tool is then axially movable along the work axis and into and out of a hole provided in the workpiece for coldworking the same. A fluid delivery assembly is on the frame and connected to a source of fluid used by the coldworking tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventors: John W. Zienkiewicz, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5604974Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a wing panel or other member for riveting or conducting other operations thereon. The member is loaded at floor level on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders spaced over the length thereof and raised to a position for conducting the operations thereon. The hydraulic fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders is controlled to synchronize the movements of the cylinder piston rods so that each of the piston rods bears its share of the load throughout raising and lowering of the member. The cylinders are also individually operated to accommodate passage of riveting machine heads or other tooling relative to the member.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1994Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Gemcor Engineering CorporationInventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James J. Birke, Joseph Dionne, Kurt R. Kubanek
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Patent number: 5597893Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of preparing a crystalline alkali metal or ammonium salt of Lys.sup.B28 Pro.sup.B29 -human insulin. The process is useful in the purification and manufacture of Lys.sup.B28 Pro.sup.B29 -human insulin. Lys.sup.B28 Pro.sup.B29 -human insulin is useful in the treatment of diabetes.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: Eli Lilly and CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Baker, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5535498Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine 10 including a frame 12 for operating a workpiece 16 along a work centerline and having a drilling tool for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a bucking ram 26, and a milling tool 30 having a hole inspection assembly 22 mounted on the upper ram 88 thereof. The hole inspection assembly includes a hole probe assembly 24 that is movable axially along the work centerline to insert a probe member 25 into a position inside the hole in the workpiece. The probe is provided with a plurality of capacitor plates 25B that measure the peripheral extent of the hole to insure that the hole is drilled within a tolerance range and is also properly positioned on the workpiece before a fastener is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, Mark F. Cassidy, John W. Zienkiewicz
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Patent number: 5357668Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning the top surface of a workpiece in proper relationship with respect to tooling including a fully extended upper clamp bushing, or for positioning the fully extended upper clamp bushing in proper relationship with respect to the top surface of a workpiece, which establishes a desired workplane wherein the top surface of the workpiece is always disposed in a normal position with respect to the lowermost surface of the upper clamp bushing and just in contact with the lowermost surface even though the top surface was disposed either below or above the desired workplane at the commencement of the clamping operation. The method and apparatus is capable of moving the top surface of the workpiece or the tooling into a desired workplane and also of determining whether or not the top surface of the workpiece adjacent the area which is to be fastened lies within the desired workplane.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventor: Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5329691Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine 10 comprising a frame 12 for operating a workpiece 16 along a work centerline and having a drilling tool for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a bucking ram 26, and a milling tool 30 having a hole inspection assembly 22 mounted on the upper ram 88 thereof. The hole inspection assembly includes a hole probe assembly 24 that is movable axially along the work centerline to insert a probe member 25 into a position inside the hole in the workpiece. The probe is provided with a plurality of capacitor plates 25B that measure the peripheral extent of the hole to insure that the hole is drilled within a tolerance range and is also properly positioned on the workpiece before a fastener is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1992Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Gemcor Engineering CorporationInventors: Bradley M. Roberts, Mark F. Cassidy, John W. Zienkiewicz
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Patent number: 5065898Abstract: Apparatus for initially orienting and then injecting fasteners (F) into fastener grasping fingers (46), the fasteners being received by the apparatus (10) from a non-dedicated feed tube (18). The apparatus includes, as its principle components, a mounting frame (20), an adjustable orientator (12) mounted on the frame, an adjustable injector (14) also mounted on the frame, and a dedicated feed tube assembly (16) extending between the adjustable orientator and the adjustable injector. The orientator includes right and left slides (50, 52, and 56, respectively) the spacing between them being adjustable, and further includes an orientation detector (136, 138) for determining whether or not proper orientation has been achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Gemcor Engineering CorporationInventors: David Michalewski, Bradley M. Roberts
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Patent number: 5027490Abstract: An apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carries tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces. A vibrating apparatus is associated with the upper ram and will be operated to hammer the upper ram while it is still being maintained in contact with the fastener after the fastener has been inserted into the workpieces to fully insert the fastener and relieve any stresses which may be present.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: Gemcor Engineering CorporationInventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James L. Birke
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Patent number: 4998943Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carrys tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1989Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Assignee: Gemcor Engineering CorporationInventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James L. Birke
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Patent number: 4864713Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning tooling and riveting the apparatus including a frame provided with opposed riveting rams (96, 86) and clamps (34, 36). The first clamp (34) is extended above the work plane established by the outer surface of one workpiece (10) with the lower ram retracted. Next, the frame (26) is moved downwardly until the first clamp touches the workpiece. An encoder (140) measured the amount of first clamp collapse during overtravel of the frame after the first touch is sensed. The frame is now backed off this distance to establish a work line coextensive with the work plane. The lower clamp (36) is then raised to clamp the workpieces (10, 12) and drill carried by a sub-frame (66) will now drill aligned apertures through the workpieces. The subframe is indexed to another position to place rams (96, 86) is alignment with the apertures. The upper riveting ram (96) is then advanced to its full down position to set an upper cavity and is locked under high pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1988Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corp.Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, Robert J. Kellner