Patents by Inventor David C. Burns

David C. Burns 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).

  • Patent number: 4910675
    Abstract: A system for automating the processing and packaging of prerecorded diskettes, including a label printer and applicator for applying the printed labels as the diskette moves along a conveyor, a diverter for rejecting faulty diskettes, a sleever for inserting collator cards into predetermined positions in an output bin where the sleeved diskettes are placed, all under automatic control of a control processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Rimage Corp.
    Inventors: David C. Burns, John S. Lee, Robert L. Skubic, Mark C. Albu, Timothy P. Fitzgerald, Gerry A. Lee, David C. Duncan
  • Patent number: 4727509
    Abstract: A system for facilitating the mass duplication of flexible diskettes of the type used to store programs and related data for use with word processors, computer systems, etc. A microprocessor-controlled base station, including a Kopy Module and two associated manual modules, is coupled by means of a daisy-chained bidirectional data Way to a plurality of slave stations. The Kopy Module may be used to store a plurality of possible diskette formats as well as operator-introduced copy and duplicating instructions. Blank diskettes are fed into the slaves and the blank diskettes are formatted in accordance with information supplied by the master. An especially designed translator contained within the Kopy Module allows diskettes bearing all of the commonly used data encoding techniques to be replicated. In another mode of operation, diskettes with unknown formats are analyzed, deciphered and stored for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Information Exchange Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Johnson, Robert J. Kirscht, David C. Burns
  • Patent number: 4672162
    Abstract: In the replacement of old split-pin assemblies of a guide tube of a nuclear reactor by new split-pin assemblies, each old split-pin assembly is severed into readily removable fragments by metal disintegration machining apparatus. This apparatus includes a metal disintegration machining tool having an electrode which is guided precisely into arc-disintegrating relationship with the assembly by a glass block in such a way that the assembly is successfully severed into fragments without damaging the guide tube. The electrode is progressively fed into the assembly producing the separation by arc disintegration as it penetrates. The electrode is axially perforated and water under pressure is injected into the arc region through the perforation. A hole is produced in the assembly disintegrating the assembly into a fragment which includes a portion of the nut with a portion of the pin threaded to it and the remaining portion of the pin. The entrance to the hole is a short distance, about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: David C. Burns, Charles E. Kauric, Joseph C. Persang
  • Patent number: 4571645
    Abstract: A system for handling and sorting floppy disk-type data, storage media. A stack of diskettes to be sorted is positioned proximate a diskette reader having a floppy disk drive contained therein. A picker mechanism is disposed beneath the stack and operates to repeatedly remove the lowermost disk from the stack and to feed it via a reversible pinch-roller conveyor first to the drive mechanism in the reader where information is read and then to one of a plurality of sorter bins located serially downstream from the reader via the same conveyor, the particular sorter bin being determined by the information read from the floppy disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: IXI Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Johnson, Walter Gysling, David C. Burns, Richard D. Schuelke, James A. Sieben
  • Patent number: 4231690
    Abstract: A tube lock drill for remotely performing operations on equipment including a positioning mechanism disposed in the equipment for selectively positioning the tool with respect to the equipment with the tool comprising a locking mechanism associated with the positioning mechanism for securing the tool in proper relationship to the equipment, a cutting mechanism disposed on a locking mechanism for performing cutting operations on the equipment, and a lifting mechanism attached to the positioning mechanism and attached to the cutting mechanism for lifting the cutting mechanism into contact with the equipment. The tube lock drill tool is capable of being arranged in a plenum of a nuclear steam generator so that remote operations may be performed on the tube sheet and heat exchange tubes in the nuclear steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: David C. Burns
  • Patent number: 4196049
    Abstract: A segmented manipulator arm for a nuclear reactor vessel inspection device is disclosed. The several segments of the arm are linked in a manner which permits independent movement of each segment in a different plane of motion. The transducer array which is utilized to conduct the examination of any appropriate point in the reactor vessel is cooperably linked to the final or most forward segment of the manipulator arm.The first segment of the manipulator arm is appropriately coupled to the main column of the inspection device for independent movement in one of three planes relative to the main column. Additional segments are employed and cooperatively linked to the first segment to yield a total of nine planes of movement for one or more of the segments. In addition, brackets are used to constrain segment movement in parallel or predetermined planes as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: David C. Burns, Lanson Y. Shum, Renato D. Reyes, Arthur F. Jacobs, Duane W. Morris, Raymond P. Castner
  • Patent number: 4174999
    Abstract: Positioning means for locating inspection apparatus used to volumetrically examine a nuclear reactor vessel is disclosed. The positioning means is provided with a support ring having an annular key positioned longitudinally about its periphery. Three support legs are attached to the support ring by brackets adapted to fit the annular key. In addition, the support ring also carries three guide stud bushings which are movably mounted thereon by clamps adapted to engage the support ring key. Prior to lowering the inspection apparatus into the vessel, the guide stud bushings are each moved to a point of alignment with one of three guide studs extending upwardly from the vessel. After alignment has been verified, the guide stud bushings are clamped in position.The inspection apparatus is now lowered towards its fully seated position within the vessel and is coarsely circumferentially positioned with respect thereto by the engagement of the guide studs within the guide stud bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: David C. Burns