Patents by Inventor Gary L. Hethcoat

Gary L. Hethcoat 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: 5183066
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning paint spray gun nozzles automatically includes a housing having separate cleaning and reservoir chambers separated by a dividing wall, and a cleaning spray head in the cleaning chamber for directing a spray of cleaning fluid at a nozzle in the chamber. A supply of cleaning fluid in the reservoir is connected to the cleaning spray head by a supply tube. The cleaning chamber has an entrance for receiving a spray gun nozzle, and a supply of gas under pressure is connected to the reservoir chamber automatically on detection of entry of a spray gun nozzle through the entrance, to urge cleaning fluid from the reservoir into the supply tube. A passageway is provided in the dividing wall for returning used cleaning fluid to the reservoir. The supply of gas to the reservoir is cut off automatically at the end of a cleaning cycle on removal of the cleaned nozzle from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corp., Air Defense Systems Division
    Inventor: Gary L. Hethcoat
  • Patent number: 5048549
    Abstract: Apparatus and a process are disclosed for cleaning and/or fluxing circuit card assemblies. The assemblies are moved through an enclosure in which they are sprayed with cleaning and/or fluxing liquid from fenestrated cylinders rotating above and below the path of the assemblies and disposed laterally thereacross. The complex spray impact pattern created by the simultaneous movements of the assemblies and the cylinders effects thorough cleaning and/or fluxing of the assemblies. Separate control of liquid pressure from the cylinders prevents unsoldered components from being dislodged from the assemblies during cleaning and or fluxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corp., Air Defense Systems Div.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hethcoat
  • Patent number: 4986462
    Abstract: Apparatus and a process are disclosed for cleaning and/or fluxing circuit card assemblies. The assemblies are moved through an enclosure in which they are sprayed with cleaning and/or fluxing liquid from fenestrated cylinders rotating above and below the path of the assemblies and disposed laterally thereacross. The complex spray impact pattern created by the simultaneous movements of the assemblies and the cylinders effects thorough cleaning and/or fluxing of the assemblies. Separate control of liquid pressure from the cylinders prevents unsoldered components from being dislodged from the assemblies during cleaning and or fluxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Hethcoat
  • Patent number: 4986471
    Abstract: A safety harness for use with an electrostatic spray paint gun is disclosed which fits over the feed tube and the barrel of a standard electrostatic spray gun and acts both to protect the hand of the spray gun operator from an electrostatic discharge and to provide an indication of the electrostatic operation of the spray gun. A T-shaped safety shield made of non-conductive material is placed over the portions of the spray gun which may develop an electrostatic charge thereon, and is held onto the spray gun by mating strips of material. Located on the inner surface of the safety shield is a thin sheet of conductive foil which acts to channel the discharge through a wire to illuminate an indicator light located remote from the spray gun in a highly visible position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corp., Air Defense Systems Div.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hethcoat
  • Patent number: 4858061
    Abstract: A discharge control device for transferring accumulated electrostatic charge from containers used in spray painting, to a charge sink, comprising a housing having a hermetically sealed discharge chamber mounted inside. A first electrical contact for receiving an accumulated electrostatic charge is mounted in the discharge chamber in opposition to a reciprocating electrical contact for receiving and dissipating the accumulated charge from the first contact. The reciprocating contact is slidably mounted on the discharge chamber so that it moves between one position adjacent to or touching the first contact means and a second position spaced apart from the first contact. A first electrical conductor is connected between the first contact and the container, and a second conduction means is connected between the reciprocating contact means and the charge sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corp.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hethcoat