Patents by Inventor Gerry Minshall

Gerry Minshall 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).

  • Retractable finning tool and method of using
    Patent number: 7284325
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall
  • RETRACTABLE FINNING TOOL AND METHOD OF USING
    Publication number: 20070157456
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall
  • Retractable finning tool and method of using
    Publication number: 20060112535
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall