Patents by Inventor Donald R. Hughes

Donald R. Hughes 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).

  • Publication number: 20200087865
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof, milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 10352001
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GREENLEAF TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 9834891
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GREENLEAF TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 9827621
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a novel cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism. The cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism is associated with a recess in the cutting tool and includes a nest slidably mounted in the recess. The nest includes a cutting insert pocket. The cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism includes a first wedge adapted to selectively exert pressure on the nest to retain the nest in a desired position in the recess, and a second wedge adapted to selectively exert pressure on a cutting insert positioned in the cutting insert pocket to retain the cutting insert in a desired position. The mechanism further includes an adjustment screw including a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion. The first threaded portion is threadedly disposed in a threaded bore in the cutting tool body, and the second threaded portion is threadedly disposed in a threaded bore in the nest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GREENLEAF TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20170159245
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 9617691
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GREENLEAF TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Publication number: 20160130768
    Abstract: A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, William P. Greenleaf, Charles D. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 9073131
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insert, a slotting cutter assembly and a method for machining a plurality of slots in a metallic alloy part. The insert may comprise a cutting edge, at least one primary radius, at least two secondary radii and a clearance angle. The cutting edge may form a narrow outer end at a tip of the insert and a larger width region at a distance inward from the narrow outer end. The clearance angle may extend rearward from the cutting edge. The slotting cutter assembly may comprise a plurality of inserts and a cutter body. The cutter body may comprise a plurality of retaining slots and a plurality of support portions. The retaining slot may be configured to receive the insert. The support portion may provide support for the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20130028679
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insert, a slotting cutter assembly and a method for machining a plurality of slots in a metallic alloy part. The insert may comprise a cutting edge, at least one primary radius, at least two secondary radii and a clearance angle. The cutting edge may form a narrow outer end at a tip of the insert and a larger width region at a distance inward from the narrow outer end. The clearance angle may extend rearward from the cutting edge. The slotting cutter assembly may comprise a plurality of inserts and a cutter body. The cutter body may comprise a plurality of retaining slots and a plurality of support portions. The retaining slot may be configured to receive the insert. The support portion may provide support for the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GREENLEAF TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8267625
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insert, a slotting cutter assembly and a method for machining a plurality of slots in a metallic alloy part. The insert may comprise a cutting edge, at least one primary radius, at least two secondary radii and a clearance angle. The cutting edge may form a narrow outer end at a tip of the insert and a larger width region at a distance inward from the narrow outer end. The clearance angle may extend rearward from the cutting edge. The slotting cutter assembly may comprise a plurality of inserts and a cutter body. The cutter body may comprise a plurality of retaining slots and a plurality of support portions. The retaining slot may be configured to receive the insert. The support portion may provide support for the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Greenleaf Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8177459
    Abstract: A cutting insert for a ball nose end mill includes a body including two opposed substantially flat retention surfaces. Each retention surface includes a chip control groove thereon extending from a point at or near an axial center of the body at an angle relative to the axial center of the body. The insert further includes a peripheral surface joining the two retention surfaces, wherein the peripheral surface includes a locating surface at a first end thereof and two arcuate surfaces at an opposed, second end thereof extending rearwardly from approximately the axial center of the second end and positioned on opposite sides of the insert symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the insert. The arcuate surfaces each including an arcuate cutting edge at the intersection of outer portion of a chip control groove and the arcuate surface. The arcuate surfaces are formed with a face clearance angle under the cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Greenleaf Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Travis J. Biggs
  • Patent number: 8095287
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savage, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
  • Publication number: 20100232890
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a novel cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism. The cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism is associated with a recess in the cutting tool and includes a nest slidably mounted in the recess. The nest includes a cutting insert pocket. The cutting insert retaining and adjusting mechanism includes a first wedge adapted to selectively exert pressure on the nest to retain the nest in a desired position in the recess, and a second wedge adapted to selectively exert pressure on a cutting insert positioned in the cutting insert pocket to retain the cutting insert in a desired position. The mechanism further includes an adjustment screw including a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion. The first threaded portion is threadedly disposed in a threaded bore in the cutting tool body, and the second threaded portion is threadedly disposed in a threaded bore in the nest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Greenleaf Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100129165
    Abstract: A cutting insert for a ball nose end mill includes a body including two opposed substantially flat retention surfaces. Each retention surface includes a chip control groove thereon extending from a point at or near an axial center of the body at an angle relative to the axial center of the body. The insert further includes a peripheral surface joining the two retention surfaces, wherein the peripheral surface includes a locating surface at a first end thereof and two arcuate surfaces at an opposed, second end thereof extending rearwardly from approximately the axial center of the second end and positioned on opposite sides of the insert symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the insert. The arcuate surfaces each including an arcuate cutting edge at the intersection of outer portion of a chip control groove and the arcuate surface. The arcuate surfaces are formed with a face clearance angle under the cutting edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Greenleaf Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, Travis J. Biggs
  • Publication number: 20090057047
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, Daniel L. Brown, Donald R. Hughes, Charles Bienenstein, James C. Savege, Mark C. Azzaretti, Donald F. Schmanski
  • Publication number: 20080206007
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insert, a slotting cutter assembly and a method for machining a plurality of slots in a metallic alloy part. The insert may comprise a cutting edge, at least one primary radius, at least two secondary radii and a clearance angle. The cutting edge may form a narrow outer end at a tip of the insert and a larger width region at a distance inward from the narrow outer end. The clearance angle may extend rearward from the cutting edge. The slotting cutter assembly may comprise a plurality of inserts and a cutter body. The cutter body may comprise a plurality of retaining slots and a plurality of support portions. The retaining slot may be configured to receive the insert. The support portion may provide support for the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6712564
    Abstract: A method of treating a tool includes texturing at least a region of at least one surface of the tool to increase surface roughness and friction resistance. The tool may be in a variety of forms such as a cutting tool insert. The texturing process may be carried out by any suitable method such as laser beam impacting, grinding, sandblasting, molding, chemical etching, photolithography, and/or reactive ion etching. Tools made by the method also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Greenleaf Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Hughes, James M. Greenleaf, Stanley B. Howles
  • Patent number: 6173595
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the “V” shaped tips of the cylindrical lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6138486
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6041629
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cutout in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Donald R. Hughes