Patents by Inventor Gerald Kramer

Gerald Kramer 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: 10662584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of a continuous element (44) moving in a fiber web or paper finishing machine, said monitoring being performed with a rotating machine element (41), which is equipped with a sensor assembly (24) that measures force or pressure and against which the continuous element moves. In the method, the machine element is made to rotate against the continuous element, a measurement signal (25) is generated between the machine element and the continuous element with the sensor assembly, and a cross-directional profile (21) of force or pressure generated between the machine element and the continuous element is formed from the measurement signal. Said moving continuous element is a fabric (32, 33) installed in a fabric run (22, 23) traveling via the machine element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Kettunen, Gerald Kramer, Tatu Pitkänen, James Sipprell, Todd Vandenheuvel
  • Publication number: 20190048526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of a continuous element (44) moving in a fiber web or paper finishing machine, said monitoring being performed with a rotating machine element (41), which is equipped with a sensor assembly (24) that measures force or pressure and against which the continuous element moves. In the method, the machine element is made to rotate against the continuous element, a measurement signal (25) is generated between the machine element and the continuous element with the sensor assembly, and a cross-directional profile (21) of force or pressure generated between the machine element and the continuous element is formed from the measurement signal. Said moving continuous element is a fabric (32, 33) installed in a fabric run (22, 23) traveling via the machine element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Kettunen, Gerald Kramer, Tatu Pitkänen, James Sipprell, Todd Vandenheuvel
  • Patent number: 8177940
    Abstract: A web stabilizer adapted to stabilize a web moving across a span between two components of a web machine or machines, the stabilizer including: a surface facing and adjacent the moving web, and at least one transition in the surface of the stabilizer, wherein the transition is a protrusion or recess in the surface between a leading edge of the stabilizer facing a direction of web travel and a trailing edge of the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Kramer, Alain Chamberland, Rudy Chang, Paul Richards, Kurt Mitterboeck, Edward Brossard, Joseph Guadagno, Dave Gamble
  • Publication number: 20100224340
    Abstract: A web stabilizer adapted to stabilize a web moving across a span between two components of a web machine or machines, the stabilizer including: a surface facing and adjacent the moving web, and at least one transition in the surface of the stabilizer, wherein the transition is a protrusion or recess in the surface between a leading edge of the stabilizer facing a direction of web travel and a trailing edge of the stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: ANDRITZ INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Kramer, Alain Chamberland, Rudy Chang, Paul Richards, Kurt Mitterboeck, Edward Brossard, Joseph Guadagno, Dave Gamble
  • Publication number: 20100213305
    Abstract: An apparatus for causing an air movement in a cross-machine direction and substantially parallel with a stabilizer surface adjacent a moving web, the apparatus positioned adjacent the stabilizer at or outside a sheet edge of the stabilizer, the apparatus directing a fluid movement in a direction moving away from the side edges of the moving web to stabilize the edges of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ANDRITZ INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Kramer, Edward Brossard
  • Patent number: 7674086
    Abstract: In an apparatus for handling rolls of web material, a shaft bearing one or more fully wound rolls of web material thereon are supported from one end in a cantilever support. An external mandrel is aligned with a free end of the shaft. A roll-moving device is positioned to shift the rolls axially along the shaft away from the supported end of the shaft. The roll-moving device shifts the rolls of web material off the shaft and onto the aligned external mandrel, shaft or other support device. The weight of the roll of web material is borne by the shaft and external mandrel throughout the transfer. Once the shaft is removed, the rolls of web material can be handled during further processing from the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Andritz Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, Gerald Kramer
  • Publication number: 20050189448
    Abstract: A plurality of upper spool rails arranged over a reel-up device. Each elevated rail temporarily stores reeling spools that are successively loaded into a reeling station to wind a web and form finished reels of paper. The elevated spool rails include: a first pair of parallel upper spool rails extending over the reel-up device and adapted to support a plurality of a first type of reeling spools; and a second pair of parallel upper spool rails spaced above the first pair, and adapted to a plurality of a second type of reeling spools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: Voith Andritz Tissue LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, John Schamell, Gerald Kramer, Keith Sippel, Bradford Dolbey
  • Publication number: 20050150990
    Abstract: In an apparatus for handling rolls of web material, a shaft bearing one or more fully wound rolls of web material thereon are supported from one end in a cantilever support. An external mandrel is aligned with a free end of the shaft. A roll-moving device is positioned to shift the rolls axially along the shaft away from the supported end of the shaft. The roll-moving device shifts the rolls of web material off the shaft and onto the aligned external mandrel, shaft or other support device. The weight of the roll of web material is borne by the shaft and external mandrel throughout the transfer. Once the shaft is removed, the rolls of web material can be handled during further processing from the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, Gerald Kramer
  • Publication number: 20050150996
    Abstract: The invention employs a fluid cushion between a shaft and cylindrical core to reduce friction between the core and shaft. Reduced friction at the shaft/core interface lowers the forces required to separate rolls of web material from the shaft. Lower separation forces should mean less damage to the wound web material and less wear and tear on the shaft and extraction equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, Gerald Kramer