Patents by Inventor Gerald L. Timm
Gerald L. Timm 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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Patent number: 10126052Abstract: An apparatus for removing fluid, such as condensate, from the inside of a rotating cylinder 10. The apparatus comprises a syphon shoe 50 proximate to an inside surface 35 of the rotating cylinder 10. The syphon shoe 50 is connected to a syphon pipe 28. The syphon shoe 50 further comprises two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and a divider 60. The two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 are disposed substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the rotating cylinder 10. The divider separates the opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and extends radially from the end of the syphon shoe 50.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Kadant Johnson LLCInventors: Gregory L. Wedel, Gerald L. Timm, Timothy N. Henry
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Patent number: 9797092Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for improving the heating capacity of steam-heated hot plates, and in particular, to steam-heated hot plates used in the corrugating industry. One or more separators and thermocompressors are added to the output of the hot plates to separate blow through steam from condensate and pressurize and inject the steam back into the hot plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Kadant Johnson Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Wedel, Gerald L. Timm, Kenneth C. Hill
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Publication number: 20170248366Abstract: An apparatus for removing fluid, such as condensate, from the inside of a rotating cylinder 10. The apparatus comprises a syphon shoe 50 proximate to the inside surface 35 of the rotating cylinder 10. The syphon shoe 50 is connected a syphon pipe 29. The syphon shoe 50 further comprises two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and a divider 60. The two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 are disposed substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the rotating cylinder 10. The divider separates the opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and extends radially from the end of the syphon end 50.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Kadant Johnson Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Wedel, Gerald L. Timm, Timothy N. Henry
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Patent number: 7673395Abstract: A dryer bar apparatus of a dryer for drying a web in a papermaking machine includes a number of turbulence bars circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the inner surface of the dryer shell for generating turbulence within a layer of condensate. The arrangement is such that uniformity of the transfer of thermal energy in the cross machine direction is maximized while the transfer of thermal energy through the dryer shell from the inner to the outer surface is minimized. Also, the number of turbulence bars is determined by the equation: N=int{2?Ri/[4?(Ri/d)½+W]} in which: N=the number of turbulence bars in the dryer shell; int=an integer number of a value in { } brackets; ?=3.1415; Ri=the inside radius of the inner surface of the dryer shell in inches; d=an average depth of the layer in inches; W=a width of each of the turbulence bars in inches.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Kadant Johnson Inc.Inventors: Gerald L. Timm, Gregory L. Wedel
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Patent number: 7178582Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for increasing a transfer of thermal energy through an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical dryer of a papermaking machine to a peripheral outer surface of the dryer. The apparatus includes a plurality of bars of rectangular cross-sectional configuration, each of the bars extending axially within the dryer. The bars are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other with each of the bars being urged outwardly against the inner surface of the dryer. A mechanism is provided for urging each of the bars radially outward against the inner surface of the dryer. The mechanism includes a plurality of hoop rings which are spaced axially within the dryer, each hoop ring being disposed normal to an axis of rotation of the dryer.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Kadant Johnson Inc.Inventors: Alan T. Ives, Gerald L. Timm, Gregory L. Wedel
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Patent number: 7028756Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for increasing a transfer of thermal energy through an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical dryer of a papermaking machine to a peripheral outer surface of the dryer. The apparatus includes a plurality of bars of rectangular cross-sectional configuration, each of the bars extending axially within the dryer. The bars are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other with each of the bars being urged outwardly against the inner surface of the dryer. Also, each of the bars defines an axially extending enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: Alan T. Ives, Gerald L. Timm, Gregory L. Wedel
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Publication number: 20030213584Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for increasing a transfer of thermal energy through an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical dryer of a papermaking machine to a peripheral outer surface of the dryer. The apparatus includes a plurality of bars of rectangular cross-sectional configuration, each of the bars extending axially within the dryer. The bars are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other with each of the bars being urged outwardly against the inner surface of the dryer. Also, each of the bars defines an axially extending enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Alan T. Ives, Gerald L. Timm, Gregory L. Wedel
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Patent number: 5528838Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for thermally insulating selected portions of a cylindrical dryer drum, usually adjacent the drum ends, for the purpose of obtaining a substantially uniform drum shell temperature throughout its length to obtain a uniform moisture profile throughout the width of the web being dried. A plurality of cylindrical segments are bolted together within the drum interior to define a circumferential assembly biased against the drum inner surface. The segments each include a thermal insulation material engaging the drum shell preventing direct access of that engaged portion of the shell with the steam within the drum thereby reducing the exterior temperature of the drum shell at the location of the thermally insulated segment. The segments may be bolted together, widthwise, to increase the axial dimension of the temperature controlling segment assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1994Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: Gerald L. Timm, John H. Peter
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Patent number: 5226677Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery, such as a dryer drum, where the joint is conveying steam by means of a rotating nipple and sealing structure. The primary elements are a stationary housing comprised of a head, body and a wear plate, a pickup tube and a spring biased nipple with a collar which engages a molybdenum lubricated reverse radius seal ring. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two guide bearings supporting the nipple, the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar which is spring biased against a reverse radius seal ring intermediate the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm
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Patent number: 5169181Abstract: A rotary joint for rotating heat exchangers of the drum or roll type having a journal wherein damage to the rotary joint by radial impact forces is minimized by mounting the joint housing upon the rotating journal, the joint nipple is stationary and mounted upon the fluid receiving head and spherical roller bearings are interposed between the housing and nipple. The primary fluid seal is located adjacent the heat exchanger journal and impact forces between the seal components and nipple, and their surrounding structure, is absorbed by the use of annular elastic glide rings which also function as fluid seals.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1991Date of Patent: December 8, 1992Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: Gerald L. Timm, James A. Medsker
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Patent number: 5110162Abstract: This invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery where the joint is conveying high temperature corrosive fluids such as molten salts. The joint includes both a stationary head to which external connections are made and a housing mounted on and rotating with a rotary apparatus with which the joint communicates. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two sleeve bearings disposed between a nipple coaxially extending from the head and the joint housing surrounding the nipple; the sleeve bearings being axially displaced from each other, the primary seal occupying an intermediate position. The primary seal is a spherical seal, interposed between a stationary nipple seal surface and a rotary housing sealing surface. The seal is preloaded by means of an external joint biasing support bracket to reduce leakage under conditions of low internal fluid pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1991Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm
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Patent number: 5109612Abstract: A low differential pressure rotary syphon for the purpose of removing condensate from the interior of steam a heated dryer drum under low differential pressure conditions. The reduction in the magnitude of differential pressure required to remove the condensate is accomplished through the direct introduction of steam into a central plenum area receiving condensate thereby reducing the mass density of the condensate mixture. The reduction in mass density and the steam introduced acting directly on the condensate within the central plenum area facilitates the removal of the condensate from the drying drum interior.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1990Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventor: Gerald L. Timm
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Patent number: 5098135Abstract: A rotary joint for introducing or removing a heat exchanging medium, such as steam, from a rotary dryer drum characterized by its ability to accommodate significant axial expansion or contraction with respect to the axis of drum rotation. A rod supported housing includes an axially displaceable nipple having an end engaging an annular seal ring associated with a drum journal mounted wear plate. Axial movement between the wear plate and joint housing is accommodated by relative movement between the housing and nipple, and preferably, springs axially bias the nipple into engagement with a self-aligning seal ring to maintain a fluid tight connection under all thermal and pressure conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1990Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventor: Gerald L. Timm
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Patent number: 5067824Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that comveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm, Roger D. Wiedenbeck
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Patent number: 4971367Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that conveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1989Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventors: John H. Peter, Gerald L. Timm, Roger D. Wiedenbeck
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Patent number: 4758026Abstract: A rotary joint for establishing communication of a pressurized medium with a rotating heat exchanger drum wherein the joint seals and associated structure are of such configuration to permit internal balancing with respect to fluid pressures imposed thereon. A rotating nipple within the joint body utilizes spherical seal surfaces engaging annular seal rings to achieve self alignment and the nipple includes spring biased collars which automatically compensate for wear and retaining structure limits collar displacement to prevent joint damage.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1987Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Assignee: The Johnson CorporationInventor: Gerald L. Timm