Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Mitchell, Jr.

Bruce J. Mitchell, Jr. 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).

  • Abrasive water jet balancing apparatus and method for rotating components
    Patent number: 10272542
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for correcting unbalance of a turbocharger component relative to an axis of rotation of the turbocharger component. The method includes determining one or more unbalance characteristics for the turbocharger component, determining parameters for a first correction operation to be performed in a first correction plane, and moving the turbocharger component to align a first correction area of the turbocharger component with respect to a first water jet cutter and performing the first correction operation using the first water jet cutter. The method may include determining parameters for a second correction operation to be performed in a second correction plane and moving the turbocharger component to align a second correction area of the turbocharger component with respect to a second water jet cutter and performing the second correction operation using the second water jet cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Balance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Mitchell, Jr., John Haidler, Mbala Robert Mayanga, Stephen Strinka
  • ABRASIVE WATER JET BALANCING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROTATING COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20160325402
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for correcting unbalance of a turbocharger component relative to an axis of rotation of the turbocharger component. The method includes determining one or more unbalance characteristics for the turbocharger component, determining parameters for a first correction operation to be performed in a first correction plane, and moving the turbocharger component to align a first correction area of the turbocharger component with respect to a first water jet cutter and performing the first correction operation using the first water jet cutter. The method may include determining parameters for a second correction operation to be performed in a second correction plane and moving the turbocharger component to align a second correction area of the turbocharger component with respect to a second water jet cutter and performing the second correction operation using the second water jet cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Balance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Mitchell, JR., John Haidler, Mbala Robert Mayanga, Stephen Strinka
  • Conical tool holder for precision balancer
    Patent number: 5965815
    Abstract: A machine for determining dynamically a residual unbalance in a workpiece having a conical surface is provided with a plurality of support elements, such as roller elements, that communicate with the workpiece at the conical surface thereof. The roller elements are arranged circumferentially equidistant about the workpiece and may have cylindrical or conical configurations. Further support elements, such as roller elements, can be applied against an annular surface of the workpiece, such as on a flange portion thereof. At least one of the support rollers that communicates with the conical surface is arranged to rotate about an adjustable axis of rotation that can be oriented with respect to the workpiece to achieve good rotative communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Balance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary K. Grim, Bruce J. Mitchell, Jr.
  • Conical tool holder for precision balancer
    Patent number: 5763777
    Abstract: A machine for determining dynamically a residual unbalance in a workpiece having a conical surface is provided with a plurality of support elements, such as roller elements, that communicate with the workpiece at the conical surface thereof. The roller elements are arranged circumferentially equidistant about the workpiece and may have cylindrical or conical configurations. Further support elements, such as roller elements, can be applied against an annular surface of the workpiece, such as on a flange portion thereof. At least one of the support rollers that communicates with the conical surface is arranged to rotate about an adjustable axis of rotation that can be oriented with respect to the workpiece to achieve good rotative communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Balance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary K. Grim, Bruce J. Mitchell, Jr.