Patents by Inventor Cody R. Montoya
Cody R. Montoya 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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Publication number: 20240027149Abstract: A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail carrying a movable carriage supporting a drive positioner rail having a drive support carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to each of the carriages, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having a shaft driving a spur gear through a worm gear reducer, wherein the spur gear is carried within a spur gear housing fastened to the worm gear reducer, and the air motor assembly is fastened to the carriage via the spur gear housing. The spur gear housing is selectively rotatable on the carriage between a locked position with the spur gear engaging the rail to which the carriage is mounted and an unlocked position with the spur gear disengaged with the rail to which the carriage is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Matthew B. HASTEY, Cody R. MONTOYA, Joseph A. SCHNEIDER
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Patent number: 11874077Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an obstruction within a tube being cleaned and repetitively advancing and retracting a flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance within the tube is disclosed. The apparatus monitors drive roller/belt position and actual hose position, compares the belt (expected travel) to hose position (travel) and generates a position difference, or mismatch. If the mismatch is above a predetermined level, the drive motor direction is reversed for a predetermined time interval, and forward operation restored after the predetermined time interval; and the sequence of repeating the reversing and restoring operations is continued until the position difference or mismatch no longer exceeds the predetermined difference threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Travis Watkins, Jeffery R. Barnes, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
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Patent number: 11713932Abstract: A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail carrying a movable carriage supporting a drive positioner rail having a drive support carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to each of the carriages, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having a shaft driving a spur gear through a worm gear reducer, wherein the spur gear is carried within a spur gear housing fastened to the worm gear reducer, and the air motor assembly is fastened to the carriage via the spur gear housing. The spur gear housing is selectively rotatable on the carriage between a locked position with the spur gear engaging the rail to which the carriage is mounted and an unlocked position with the spur gear disengaged with the rail to which the carriage is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Matthew B. Hastey, Cody R. Montoya, Joseph A. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230028473Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an obstruction within a tube being cleaned and repetitively advancing and retracting a flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance within the tube is disclosed. The apparatus monitors drive roller/belt position and actual hose position, compares the belt (expected travel) to hose position (travel) and generates a position difference, or mismatch. If the mismatch is above a predetermined level, the drive motor direction is reversed for a predetermined time interval, and forward operation restored after the predetermined time interval; and the sequence of repeating the reversing and restoring operations is continued until the position difference or mismatch no longer exceeds the predetermined difference threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Travis WATKINS, Jeffery R. BARNES, Daniel SZABO, Cody R. MONTOYA
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Patent number: 11460257Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an obstruction within a tube being cleaned and repetitively advancing and retracting a flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance within the tube is disclosed. The apparatus monitors drive roller/belt position and actual hose position, compares the belt (expected travel) to hose position (travel) and generates a position difference, or mismatch. If the mismatch is above a predetermined level, the drive motor direction is reversed for a predetermined time interval, and forward operation restored after the predetermined time interval; and the sequence of repeating the reversing and restoring operations is continued until the position difference or mismatch no longer exceeds the predetermined difference threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Travis Watkins, Jeffery R. Barnes, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
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Patent number: 11441856Abstract: A system and an apparatus for positioning a plurality of flexible cleaning lances includes a frame removably fastened parallel a tube sheet of a heat exchanger. The apparatus includes a smart lance tractor drive for advancing and retracting one or more lance hoses through one or more lance guide tubes into tubes penetrating through the heat exchanger tube sheet, a controller, one or more AC induction sensors on the tubes operable to sense holes in the tube sheet, and a tumble box connected to the controller operable to generate electrical power to the AC induction sensor from an air pressure source, supply electrical power to the controller and distribute pneumatic power to pneumatic motors for positioning the tractor drive on the positioner frame. The tractor drive includes sensors for detection of mismatch between expected and actual lance positions and automated drive reversal operation to remove blockages within tubes being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Timothy Schneider, Adam Markham, Joseph A. Schneider, Scott Howell, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
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Publication number: 20220057151Abstract: A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail carrying a movable carriage supporting a drive positioner rail having a drive support carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to each of the carriages, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having a shaft driving a spur gear through a worm gear reducer, wherein the spur gear is carried within a spur gear housing fastened to the worm gear reducer, and the air motor assembly is fastened to the carriage via the spur gear housing. The spur gear housing is selectively rotatable on the carriage between a locked position with the spur gear engaging the rail to which the carriage is mounted and an unlocked position with the spur gear disengaged with the rail to which the carriage is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Matthew B. Hastey, Cody R. Montoya, Joseph A. Schneider
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Patent number: 11060806Abstract: A snout apparatus for guiding high pressure flexible lances between a lance drive apparatus and a flexible lance positioner apparatus includes one of a male tubular connector and a female tubular connector fitting adapted to fasten to a flexible lance drive apparatus, another one of a male and a female tubular connector fitting adapted to fasten to a flexible lance positioner, and a plurality of segments connected together in series so as to connect in series between the one and another connector fittings. Each segment may include a cylindrical tube portion sized to receive and pass therethrough flexible lances and a tubular collar portion connected to the tube portion. The collar portion has peripheral arcuate closed slots adjacent to and spaced around a distal end of the collar portion. Shoulder bolt fasteners are each fastened to a next segment tube portion and extend through one of the closed slots.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Cody R. Montoya
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Patent number: 10809023Abstract: A system and an apparatus for positioning a plurality of flexible cleaning lances includes a frame removably fastened parallel to a row of tubes in a tube sheet within a domed end of a heat exchanger. A chassis support member is mounted on the frame for movement in an X direction. A chassis having spaced apart parallel box rail members is movably mounted on the chassis support member for movement of the chassis in a Y direction. A rotary arm extends from the chassis, and a flexible lance guide hand fastened to a distal end of the rotary arm is configured to maintain a plurality of flexible lance guide tubes in parallel alignment with the row of tubes irrespective of an angle between the rotary arm and the frame. The system may include a lance drive and a snout connected between the lance drive and the positioning apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: John L. Krauser, Jeffery R. Barnes, Cody R. Montoya
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Publication number: 20200132402Abstract: A system and an apparatus for positioning a plurality of flexible cleaning lances includes a frame removably fastened parallel a tube sheet of a heat exchanger. The apparatus includes a smart lance tractor drive for advancing and retracting one or more lance hoses through one or more lance guide tubes into tubes penetrating through the heat exchanger tube sheet, a controller, one or more AC induction sensors on the tubes operable to sense holes in the tube sheet, and a tumble box connected to the controller operable to generate electrical power to the AC induction sensor from an air pressure source, supply electrical power to the controller and distribute pneumatic power to pneumatic motors for positioning the tractor drive on the positioner frame. The tractor drive includes sensors for detection of mismatch between expected and actual lance positions and automated drive reversal operation to remove blockages within tubes being cleaned.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Timothy Schneider, Adam Markham, Joseph A. Schneider, Scott Howell, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
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Publication number: 20200056851Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an obstruction within a tube being cleaned and repetitively advancing and retracting a flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance within the tube is disclosed. The apparatus monitors drive roller/belt position and actual hose position, compares the belt (expected travel) to hose position (travel) and generates a position difference, or mismatch. If the mismatch is above a predetermined level, the drive motor direction is reversed for a predetermined time interval, and forward operation restored after the predetermined time interval; and the sequence of repeating the reversing and restoring operations is continued until the position difference or mismatch no longer exceeds the predetermined difference threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Travis Watkins, Jeffery R. Barnes, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
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Publication number: 20190063856Abstract: A snout apparatus for guiding high pressure flexible lances between a lance drive apparatus and a flexible lance positioner apparatus includes one of a male tubular connector and a female tubular connector fitting adapted to fasten to a flexible lance drive apparatus, another one of a male and a female tubular connector fitting adapted to fasten to a flexible lance positioner, and a plurality of segments connected together in series so as to connect in series between the one and another connector fittings. Each segment may include a cylindrical tube portion sized to receive and pass therethrough flexible lances and a tubular collar portion connected to the tube portion. The collar portion has peripheral arcuate closed slots adjacent to and spaced around a distal end of the collar portion. Shoulder bolt fasteners are each fastened to a next segment tube portion and extend through one of the closed slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventor: Cody R. Montoya
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Publication number: 20190032828Abstract: Embodiments of a threaded component locking apparatus for preventing inadvertent disconnection of the male and female connection are disclosed. One embodiment includes an annular groove around the male member spaced from its threads and a ring shaped retainer disposed in the annular groove. A rear lip on the female threaded component interferes with the ring shaped retainer to prevent loosened connection between the components from becoming completely disconnected. Another embodiment utilizes a C-clip retainer member to limit loosening of the connection. Another embodiment utilizes a canted spring ring to interfere with and limit loosening of the connection. Another embodiment has a pair of collar halves that fit around the male member each having an annular groove for receiving a canted spring ring or ring shaped retainer to interfere with a rear lip on the female threaded component to limit loosening of the connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Colton Andersen, Cody R. Montoya, Jeffery R. Barnes, Corey S. Waller, Cooper Hanley
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Publication number: 20180266777Abstract: A system and an apparatus for positioning a plurality of flexible cleaning lances includes a frame removably fastened parallel to a row of tubes in a tube sheet within a domed end of a heat exchanger. A chassis support member is mounted on the frame for movement in an X direction. A chassis having spaced apart parallel box rail members is movably mounted on the chassis support member for movement of the chassis in a Y direction. A rotary arm extends from the chassis, and a flexible lance guide hand fastened to a distal end of the rotary arm is configured to maintain a plurality of flexible lance guide tubes in parallel alignment with the row of tubes irrespective of an angle between the rotary arm and the frame. The system may include a lance drive and a snout connected between the lance drive and the positioning apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: John L. Krauser, Jeffery R. Barnes, Cody R. Montoya