Patents by Inventor John Swartzentruber

John Swartzentruber 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).

  • Patent number: 11543054
    Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine includes a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism supported on the frame. The transporting mechanism has a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is between the first and second gripping structures. The machine has a drive system to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct a pipe along the travel axis. The pipe retrieval machine includes one or more safety features to stop the drive system either automatically or through manual action, one or more safety features to inhibit or prevent damage to components of the decoupling region in the event of a malfunction, or both. Methods of operating a pipe retrieval machine include any of the operation procedures, method steps, safety features, and/or functions as described and in any combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NORTH AMERICAN PIPE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Michael A. Dotsey, Dmitry Yashin, Aaron Blinn, Mark Brunni, John Swartzentruber
  • Publication number: 20220034426
    Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine includes a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism supported on the frame. The transporting mechanism has a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is between the first and second gripping structures. The machine has a drive system to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct a pipe along the travel axis. The pipe retrieval machine includes one or more safety features to stop the drive system either automatically or through manual action, one or more safety features to inhibit or prevent damage to components of the decoupling region in the event of a malfunction, or both. Methods of operating a pipe retrieval machine include any of the operation procedures, method steps, safety features, and/or functions as described and in any combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Michael A. Dotsey, Dmitry Yashin, Aaron Blinn, Mark Brunni, John Swartzentruber
  • Patent number: 11054060
    Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine has a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism having a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is disposed between the first and second gripping structures. A drive system is configured to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct the pipe along the travel axis. A decoupling device in the decoupling region has a decoupler that is automatically operable to engage a locking part of the coupling. The decoupling device is configured to selectively and automatically stop the pipe relative to the decoupling device, to disassemble at least one pipe section from the pipe, to move the detached pipe section from the machine, and to advance the remaining pipe for disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: NORTH AMERICAN PIPE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Dmitry Yashin, Aaron Blinn, Mark Brunni, John Swartzentruber, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Publication number: 20200124208
    Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine has a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism having a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is disposed between the first and second gripping structures. A drive system is configured to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct the pipe along the travel axis. A decoupling device in the decoupling region has a decoupler that is automatically operable to engage a locking part of the coupling. The decoupling device is configured to selectively and automatically stop the pipe relative to the decoupling device, to disassemble at least one pipe section from the pipe, to move the detached pipe section from the machine, and to advance the remaining pipe for disassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Dmitry Yashin, Aaron Blinn, Mark Brunni, John Swartzentruber, Michael A. Dotsey