Patents by Inventor Gerald P. Zink
Gerald P. Zink 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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Publication number: 20230321695Abstract: A high-pressure fluid supply system and apparatus including a battery electric powered high pressure fluid pump that can be located in proximity to a piece of equipment such as a heat exchanger in an industrial plant in need of being cleaned wherein the system is modularized on a plurality of pallets capable of being transported in the industrial plant elevator to a location near the heat exchanger location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventor: Gerald P. ZINK
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Patent number: 10933453Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Joseph Schneider
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Patent number: 10898931Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Patent number: 10480874Abstract: A lance drive support apparatus is adapted to be fastened directly to a heat exchanger tube sheet adjacent a selected number of tubes to be cleaned. One embodiment includes an angled flat base plate having an inner center corner, an outer center corner, a first outer end corner and a second outer end corner, a support post adjacent each outer end corner, and the inner center corner fastened at one end to the base plate, and a top plate fastened to an opposite end of each support post. An extensible scissor arm assembly pivotally fastened to the inner center corner post can position a lance drive mechanism at a distal end of the scissor arm assembly at precise X and Y coordinates adjacent the tube sheet. The precise X and Y coordinates are determined by positions of X and Y cylinders connected to a common scissor arm assembly extension hinge.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20190210077Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Joseph Schneider
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Patent number: 10272480Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Joseph Schneider
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Patent number: 10265736Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20190032828Abstract: Embodiments of a threaded component locking apparatus for preventing inadvertent disconnection of the male and female connection are disclosed. One embodiment includes an annular groove around the male member spaced from its threads and a ring shaped retainer disposed in the annular groove. A rear lip on the female threaded component interferes with the ring shaped retainer to prevent loosened connection between the components from becoming completely disconnected. Another embodiment utilizes a C-clip retainer member to limit loosening of the connection. Another embodiment utilizes a canted spring ring to interfere with and limit loosening of the connection. Another embodiment has a pair of collar halves that fit around the male member each having an annular groove for receiving a canted spring ring or ring shaped retainer to interfere with a rear lip on the female threaded component to limit loosening of the connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Colton Andersen, Cody R. Montoya, Jeffery R. Barnes, Corey S. Waller, Cooper Hanley
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Patent number: 10155291Abstract: A process for assembling a coil clad hose includes suspending a spring wire helix between carriages mounted on a rail, rotating one of the ends of the helix to expand the helix, inserting a hose through the expanded helix, contracting the helix onto the hose, installing an end fitting onto each end of the hose, fixing one end of the helix together with the ferrule and the hose at one end of the hose, adjusting a pitch of the helix along the hose to another end of the hose, and fixing the helix and the hose together with the ferrule at the another end of the hose. The apparatus includes a rail, a pair of carriages movably supported on the rail, each of the carriages having a through bore holding a tang clamp bushing therein, and a pair of cable clamp fixtures mounted one at each end of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20180207686Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20180161833Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, Joseph Schneider
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Patent number: 9950348Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20180099364Abstract: A process for assembling a coil clad hose includes suspending a spring wire helix between carriages mounted on a rail, rotating one of the ends of the helix to expand the helix, inserting a hose through the expanded helix, contracting the helix onto the hose, installing an end fitting onto each end of the hose, fixing one end of the helix together with the ferrule and the hose at one end of the hose, adjusting a pitch of the helix along the hose to another end of the hose, and fixing the helix and the hose together with the ferrule at the another end of the hose. The apparatus includes a rail, a pair of carriages movably supported on the rail, each of the carriages having a through bore holding a tang clamp bushing therein, and a pair of cable clamp fixtures mounted one at each end of the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20180058783Abstract: A lance drive support apparatus is adapted to be fastened directly to a heat exchanger tube sheet adjacent a selected number of tubes to be cleaned. One embodiment includes an angled flat base plate having an inner center corner, an outer center corner, a first outer end corner and a second outer end corner, a support post adjacent each outer end corner, and the inner center corner fastened at one end to the base plate, and a top plate fastened to an opposite end of each support post. An extensible scissor arm assembly pivotally fastened to the inner center corner post can position a lance drive mechanism at a distal end of the scissor arm assembly at precise X and Y coordinates adjacent the tube sheet. The precise X and Y coordinates are determined by positions of X and Y cylinders connected to a common scissor arm assembly extension hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Patent number: 9844845Abstract: A process for assembling a coil clad hose includes suspending a spring wire helix between carriages mounted on a rail, rotating one of the ends of the helix to expand the helix, inserting a hose through the expanded helix, contracting the helix onto the hose, installing an end fitting onto each end of the hose, fixing one end of the helix together with the ferrule and the hose at one end of the hose, adjusting a pitch of the helix along the hose to another end of the hose, and fixing the helix and the hose together with the ferrule at the another end of the hose. The apparatus includes a rail, a pair of carriages movably supported on the rail, each of the carriages having a through bore holding a tang clamp bushing therein, and a pair of cable clamp fixtures mounted one at each end of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Patent number: 9550649Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a plurality of coil clad hoses simultaneously includes a plurality of modules. Each module includes a primary driven bull gear. A follower bull gear is rotatably fastened to a follower axle extending parallel to the drive axle and the follower bull gear meshes with the primary bull gear. A plurality of secondary bull gear/sprocket modules are fastened to each of the axles, each of the modules having a secondary bull gear having teeth extending to a first outer diameter and a sprocket gear having teeth extending a distance less than the first outer diameter. The secondary bull gear teeth of modules on the drive axle mesh with corresponding secondary bull gear teeth of modules on the follower axle to define between adjacent modules an opening width for receiving and passing therebetween a coil clad portion of a high pressure hose.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Patent number: 9440817Abstract: An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Patent number: 9433982Abstract: An apparatus for insertion in an enclosed space, including: a tube with: first and second substantially straight portions including first and second ends of the tube, respectively; and a curved portion connecting the first and second portions. The apparatus includes: a plurality of nested segments at least partially disposed within the first substantially straight portion of the tube and connected to the first substantially straight portion; and a first actuator engageable with the tube to displace the first and second substantially straight portions of the tube into and out of the enclosed space through an opening into the enclosed space. The tube is arranged to accept a hose passing through the tube, and a distal segment from the plurality of nested segments is connectable to the hose.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20160158809Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
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Publication number: 20160096202Abstract: A flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes a guide rail having a longitudinal axis adapted to be positioned within a boiler water box and aligned in a fixed position with respect to a central axis of the water box. A tractor drive module is mounted on the guide rail, a helix clad high pressure fluid hose drive module is mounted on the guide rail operable to propel a flexible lance helix clad hose through the drive module along an axis parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, and a right angle guide rotator module is mounted on the guide rail and connected to the tractor module for positioning a rotatable high pressure nozzle carried by the helix clad hose within a guide tube attached to the rotator module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Gerald P. Zink