Patents by Inventor Jay M. McNeeley

Jay M. McNeeley 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).

  • Cutter assembly for tunnel boring machine with pressure compensation
    Patent number: 8783786
    Abstract: A pressure-compensated cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes a shaft a cutter ring assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft, and first and second end retainers non-rotatably attached to the shaft. Rotary seal groups, immersed in lubricant, provide a moving seal between the rotating cutter ring assembly and the end retainers. A movable piston member is exposed to ambient pressures, and contacts the lubricant, such that increasing ambient pressure will increase the lubricant pressure, thereby keeping the pressure differential across the seal small. In one embodiment, the piston is a floating retainer portion. In another embodiment, the piston is an annular piston, and in another embodiment, the piston is a plurality of smaller pistons disposed in the first retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Robbins Company
    Inventors: Aaron J. Shanahan, Stephen M. Smading, Timothy A. Lang, Zachary J. Box, Brian B. Khalighi, Brad D. Grothen, Carl E. Lenaburg, Jay M. McNeeley, Shinichi Konda
  • CUTTER ASSEMBLY FOR TUNNEL BORING MACHINE WITH PRESSURE COMPENSATION
    Publication number: 20120212034
    Abstract: A pressure-compensated cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes a shaft a cutter ring assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft, and first and second end retainers non-rotatably attached to the shaft. Rotary seal groups, immersed in lubricant, provide a moving seal between the rotating cutter ring assembly and the end retainers. A movable piston member is exposed to ambient pressures, and contacts the lubricant, such that increasing ambient pressure will increase the lubricant pressure, thereby keeping the pressure differential across the seal small. In one embodiment, the piston is a floating retainer portion. In another embodiment, the piston is an annular piston, and in another embodiment, the piston is a plurality of smaller pistons disposed in the first retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: THE ROBBINS COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron J. Shanahan, Stephen M. Smading, Timothy A. Lang, Zachary J. Box, Brian B. Khalighi, Brad D. Grothen, Carl E. Lenaburg, Jay M. McNeeley, Shinichi Konda