Patents by Inventor James A. Duggan
James A. Duggan 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: 9028894Abstract: Gum manufacturing machinery and method of manufacturing gum is illustrated in which a gum loafing machine generates loaves of finished gum that are then subsequently run through a gum conditioner to more uniformly set the temperature and viscosity of the gum material prior to further processing. Upon achieving the appropriate conditioning level, a further forming extruder may be used to generate a continuous gum ribbon for subsequent rolling and scoring operations. The gum conditioner may include vertically stacked conveyors that have different operational modes including a first mode that provides a serpentine path for a long residence time and a second mode that provides a cascading path that avoids or bypasses much of the length of some of the conveyors to provide a shorter residence time. The gum manufacturing machinery may be used in an adjustable manner so as to accommodate difference gum recipes for different batches of gum product.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLCInventors: Jim Olejarski, Joseph Roarty, Arthur W. Upmann, James A. Duggan
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Publication number: 20120237633Abstract: Gum manufacturing machinery and method of manufacturing gum is illustrated in which a gum loafing machine generates loaves of finished gum that are then subsequently run through a gum conditioner to more uniformly set the temperature and viscosity of the gum material prior to further processing. Upon achieving the appropriate conditioning level, a further forming extruder may be used to generate a continuous gum ribbon for subsequent rolling and scoring operations. The gum conditioner may include vertically stacked conveyors that have different operational modes including a first mode that provides a serpentine path for a long residence time and a second mode that provides a cascading path that avoids or bypasses much of the length of some of the conveyors to provide a shorter residence time. The gum manufacturing machinery may be used in an adjustable manner so as to accommodate difference gum recipes for different batches of gum product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventors: Jim Olejarski, Joseph Roarty, Arthur W. Upmann, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 8226401Abstract: Gum manufacturing machinery and method of manufacturing gum is illustrated in which a gum loafing machine generates loaves of finished gum that are then subsequently run through a gum conditioner to more uniformly set the temperature and viscosity of the gum material prior to further processing. Upon achieving the appropriate conditioning level, a further forming extruder may be used to generate a continuous gum ribbon for subsequent rolling and scoring operations. The gum conditioner may include vertically stacked conveyors that have different operational modes including a first mode that provides a serpentine path for a long residence time and a second mode that provides a cascading path that avoids or bypasses much of the length of some of the conveyors to provide a shorter residence time. The gum manufacturing machinery may be used in an adjustable manner so as to accommodate difference gum recipes for different batches of gum product.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventors: Jim Olejarski, Joseph Roarty, Arthur W. Upmann, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7841432Abstract: A hybrid electro-hydraulic drive system is provided for a vehicle and comprises a hydraulic transmission including a first hydraulic machine and at least one second hydraulic machine drivingly connected to drive wheels of the motor vehicle for driving thereof, an electric motor/generator operatively connected to the first hydraulic machine, and at least one energy storage device operable to store and release a hydraulic fluid energy or an electrical energy. The second hydraulic machine is a reversible hydraulic pump/motor unit capable to function both as a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The energy storage device is operatively connected to either the hydraulic transmission or the electric motor/generator. In a retarding mode the hydraulic transmission and/or the electric motor/generator retard the vehicle, while in a driving mode they supply a supplementary power to the drive wheels to assist propulsion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Bosch Rexroth CorporationInventors: Alfred Edmund Lynn, Kenric Rose, Simon John Baseley, James A Duggan
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Publication number: 20100285172Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for conveying gum components and for making chewing gum compositions, by conveying a substantially horizontally stratified flow of two or more gum components along a conveying path. Once the horizontally stratified flow of gum components is established, the flow of gum components can be supplied to a gum mixing machine in a substantially constant cross-sectional ratio of the gum components, even where it is necessary to adjust the rate of flow of gum components along the conveying path, or to periodically start and stop the flow of components during the gum making process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventor: James A. Duggan
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Publication number: 20100178382Abstract: Gum manufacturing machinery and method of manufacturing gum is illustrated in which a gum loafing machine generates loaves of finished gum that are then subsequently run through a gum conditioner to more uniformly set the temperature and viscosity of the gum material prior to further processing. Upon achieving the appropriate conditioning level, a further forming extruder may be used to generate a continuous gum ribbon for subsequent rolling and scoring operations. The gum conditioner may include vertically stacked conveyors that have different operational modes including a first mode that provides a serpentine path for a long residence time and a second mode that provides a cascading path that avoids or bypasses much of the length of some of the conveyors to provide a shorter residence time. The gum manufacturing machinery may be used in an adjustable manner so as to accommodate difference gum recipes for different batches of gum product.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Jim Olejarski, Joseph Roarty, Arthur W. Upmann, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7591164Abstract: A method of manufacturing a splined member avoids the generation of waste material and minimizes the amount of dimensional inaccuracies. A hollow cylindrical workpiece is initially provided from a material having a relatively high elongation characteristic. The material used to form the workpiece may be AA-5154 grade aluminum alloy having an elongation characteristic that is in the range of from about 20% to about 30%, preferably in the range of from about 22% to about 28%, and most preferably about 25%. A mandrel having a plurality of external splines is inserted within workpiece, and the workpiece is deformed into engagement with the mandrel to form a splined member using a swaging process, such a rotary swaging or feed swaging. The splined member is thus formed having a plurality of internal splines and a cylindrical outer surface. The use of the swaging process avoids the generation of waste material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Thomas J. Keller
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Publication number: 20090162475Abstract: A system and method for mixing and forming gum structures is provided. The system may include combinations of continuous and batch mixers arranged generally in series for mixing gum base ingredients with subsequent gum ingredients. In one embodiment, the system and method first forms a gum structure that is not a gum base and then adds a subsequent gum ingredient such that the gum structure is less than a gum base in combination with a subsequent gum ingredient. In other embodiments, the system and method includes forming a gum base in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients that are not quite finished gum. Further, in other embodiments, the system and method may perform some of the mixing of the ingredients at a first location while mixing of further ingredients is performed at a remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
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Publication number: 20090162476Abstract: A system and method for mixing and forming gum structures is provided. The system may include combinations of continuous and batch mixers arranged generally in parallel and/or series for mixing gum base ingredients with subsequent gum ingredients. In one embodiment, the system and method first forms a gum structure that is not a gum base and then adds a subsequent gum ingredient such that the gum structure is less than a gum base in combination with a subsequent gum ingredient. In other embodiments, the system and method includes forming a gum base in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients that are not quite finished gum. Further, in other embodiments, the system and method may perform some of the mixing of the ingredients at a first location while mixing of further ingredients is performed at a remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
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Patent number: 7500788Abstract: A center bearing assembly has an adjustable pneumatic support member for absorbing vibrations. The bearing assembly includes a bearing and a support member assembly that supports the bearing. The support member assembly includes a bladder having an interior chamber that is filled with a fluid. A bracket is provided that supports the support member assembly for pivoting movement relative thereto. A system is provided for controlling the magnitude of the fluid pressure within the interior chamber of the bladder. The system includes a plurality of sensors that generate signals that are representative of a plurality of operating conditions. A controller is responsive to the sensor signals and generates a signal to a pressure regulating device that controls the magnitude of the fluid pressure within the interior chamber of the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert G. Joyner, James A. Duggan, Johnny N. Smith
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Publication number: 20080251302Abstract: A hybrid electro-hydraulic drive system is provided for a vehicle and comprises a hydraulic transmission including a first hydraulic machine and at least one second hydraulic machine drivingly connected to drive wheels of the motor vehicle for driving thereof, an electric motor/generator operatively connected to the first hydraulic machine, and at least one energy storage device operable to store and release a hydraulic fluid energy or an electrical energy. The second hydraulic machine is a reversible hydraulic pump/motor unit capable to function both as a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The energy storage device is operatively connected to either the hydraulic transmission or the electric motor/generator. In a retarding mode the hydraulic transmission and/or the electric motor/generator retard the vehicle, while in a driving mode they supply a supplementary power to the drive wheels to assist propulsion of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Alfred Edmund Lynn, Kenric Rose, John Baseley, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7347784Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a yoke including a body portion, a pair of opposed yoke arms that extends generally in a first axial direction from the body portion, and a neck portion that extends generally in a second axial direction from the body portion. A driveshaft tube is secured to the neck portion of the yoke, such as by magnetic pulse welding. A ring is secured to the body portion of the yoke, such as by press fitting, and a balance weight is secured to the ring, such as by welding.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLCInventors: Thomas J. Keller, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7140530Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle axle housing components made from the same or dissimilar materials includes providing a first axle housing component, and providing a second axle housing component, where one of the first and second axle housing components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second axle housing components is positioned within a portion of the other of the axle housing components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band may be disposed around the overlapping portion. An inductor is positioned around the overlapping portion. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing at least one of the overlapping portion and the metallic band, thereby securing the first and second axle housing components together.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Robert Durand, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7102245Abstract: A vehicular axle assembly includes an electrical generator for generating electricity to supply power to one or more electrical components therein during operation. The axle assembly includes a hollow housing that rotatably supports a differential mechanism therein. An input shaft is rotatably supported in the axle housing and terminates in a pinion gear. The pinion gear meshes with the differential mechanism that, in turn, rotatably drives a pair of output shafts that extend to respective driven wheels of the vehicle. A stator is supported within the axle housing about the input shaft, while a rotor is supported on the input shaft. When the input shaft is rotated, the rotor generates electrical power that may be used to operate the electrical component, such as a piezo-based device supported on a driveshaft assembly connected to the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Jun Yoshioka
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Patent number: 7052399Abstract: An elastomeric coupling for a rotating shaft includes a driving yoke, a driven yoke, and a substantially circular elastomeric body having a circumferential face and first and second sets of bushings within the elastomeric body. The bushings have threaded openings exposed at the circumferential face. A plurality of fasteners secures the driving yoke to the first set of bushings and secures the driven yoke to the second set of bushings. A plurality of tensile members are located within the elastomeric body, with the tensile members connecting the first set of bushings to the second set of bushings.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLCInventor: James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 7004840Abstract: A balance correction device is supported within a hollow article, such as a driveshaft assembly for a vehicular drive train system, to balance the article for rotation. The balance correction device includes a first disc having a first slot provided therein and a second disc having a second slot provided therein. Portions of the first and second slots are axially aligned with one another. An object, such as a ball, is received within the axially aligned portions of the first and second slots. The first and second discs can be positioned relative to one another to position the object relative to the unbalanced article to balance the unbalanced article for rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James A. Duggan, Barry L. Zackrisson
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Patent number: 6981302Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube for a vehicle driveshaft assembly forms a flat sheet of material having a greater thickness than other portions over a portion of its width and along its length, rolling the sheet about a longitudinal axis such that its lateral edges are mutually adjacent, then securing the lateral edges together by seam welding to form a tube. The mass distribution is not uniform because the wall thickness of certain portions of the tube is greater than the wall thickness of other portions of the tube. A tube yoke is machined and the angular location of its overbalance about its longitudinal axis is determined. The tube is secured to the tube yoke such that the angular location of overbalance of the yoke is aligned with the weld seam and diametrically opposite the region of the tube having the greater wall thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas E. Breese, Jeffrey D. Periat, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6960024Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6883967Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6722990Abstract: A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly that maintains a positive pressure situation within the lubricant chamber during operation thereof (i.e., a situation where the fluid pressure within the lubricant chamber is greater than or equal to than the fluid pressure outside of the lubricant chamber). To accomplish this, the pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A spring urges the pressure compensator assembly toward the lubricant chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James A. Duggan