Patents by Inventor James Frandsen
James Frandsen 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: 20030174207Abstract: A spout control system controls and aims a spout and a spout cap of a crop harvesting vehicle with respect to a separate crop hauling vehicle moving with the harvesting vehicle. The control system includes a video camera which is mounted on the cap and which views a field of view which includes a portion of the hauling vehicle. An image signal generated by the camera is received by an image processing unit. The image processing unit processes a digitized form of the image signal and automatically generates spout and cap control signals as a function thereof. Actuators automatically aim the spout and the cap in response to the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporationInventors: Barry Michael Alexia, Andrew Jackson Brislen, John Roderic Wicking, Walter James Frandsen
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Patent number: 6517411Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Tycom Corp.Inventors: Paul D Mortell, Chi Hoang, David M. McElrone, Gary P. Erpenbeck, Walter James Frandsen, Jr., Charles Shafee Slemon
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Publication number: 20020168922Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Paul D. Mortell, Chi Hoang, David M. McElrone, Gary P. Erpenbeck, Walter James Frandsen, Charles Shafee Slemon
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Publication number: 20010021626Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Paul D. Mortell, Chi Hoang, David M. McElrone, Gary P. Erpenbeck, Walter James Frandsen, Jr., Charles Shafee Slemon
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Patent number: 6283824Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Tycom CorporationInventors: Paul D Mortell, Chi Hoang, David M. McElrone, Gary P. Erpenbeck, Walter James Frandsen, Jr., Charles Shafee Slemon
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Publication number: 20010005264Abstract: An inspection system for identifying defects on the surface of an item includes an information processor mounted on a base assembly. A tray is used to move the item to an inspection station on the base assembly, and an illuminator is provided at the inspection station to illuminate the item from different visual perspectives. Importantly, the illuminator includes a plurality of different light sources. An N number of cameras and an M number of image processors are operated in concert to collect image data from the illuminated item. This image data is then analyzed using the image processors to compare the image data with a template image to detect defects in the item. In the operation of the inspection system, the tray, the illuminator, the cameras and the image processors are all centrally controlled and coordinated by an central information processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Inventors: Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen, Raymond H. Bratton, James John Glover
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Patent number: 6191856Abstract: An optical device for establishing a spatial orientation for a drill bit includes at least three light sources and two cameras. The first light source is used to silhouette the drill bit; a second light source is used to generate a reflection from a primary facet of the drill bit; and a third light source is used to generate a reflection from the margin of the drill bit. In sequence, the first camera responds to the first light source to establish an axial position for the drill bit on the axis. The second camera then responds to the second light source to establish a gross rotational position for the drill bit on its axis. Finally, the first camera is again used. This time it establishes a precise rotational position for the drill bit on its axis to establish the spatial orientation for the drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: VolutionInventors: Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen, James John Glover
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Patent number: 6030276Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring repositioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Tycom CorporationInventors: Paul D. Mortell, Chi Hoang, David M. McElrone, Gary P. Erpenbeck, Walter James Frandsen, Jr., Charles Shafee Slemon
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Patent number: 5818573Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: PBH, Inc.Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen
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Patent number: 5801822Abstract: An ophthalmic lens inspection system includes an illumination assembly which generates diffuse light and transmits the diffuse light through an ophthalmic lens disposed in an inspection position, the diffuse light having a diffusivity of between 30.degree. and 50.degree.. An imaging assembly generates a set of signals representing selected portions of the diffuse light transmitted through the ophthalmic lens in the inspection position. A moving mechanism supports the imaging and illumination assemblies for common movement relative to the contact lens, to bring a reference point into alignment with the center of the imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: PBH, Inc.Inventors: W. Michael Lafferty, Charles S. Slemon, W. James Frandsen