Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Wetzel
Joseph D. Wetzel 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: 9377375Abstract: In operating a vibration testing system, a table is provided with a plurality of distinct regions, and each of the plurality of distinct regions is provided with at least one vibrator of the plurality of vibrators and at least one accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers. Target vibration strengths are set for each region, and the vibrators are operated. Local vibration strength is measured at each distinct region with the corresponding accelerometer(s) of the plurality of accelerometers. A signal corresponding to each of the measured local vibration strengths is provided to a controller. An individual vibrator control signal is calculated for each distinct region based on the corresponding measured local vibration strength and the corresponding target vibration strength. The individual control signals are provided from the controller to control the vibrator(s) of each distinct region to achieve the target vibration strength at each of the distinct table regions.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventors: John Alderson, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20130305828Abstract: In operating a vibration testing system, a table is provided with a plurality of distinct regions, and each of the plurality of distinct regions is provided with at least one vibrator of the plurality of vibrators and at least one accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers. Target vibration strengths are set for each region, and the vibrators are operated. Local vibration strength is measured at each distinct region with the corresponding accelerometer(s) of the plurality of accelerometers. A signal corresponding to each of the measured local vibration strengths is provided to a controller. An individual vibrator control signal is calculated for each distinct region based on the corresponding measured local vibration strength and the corresponding target vibration strength. The individual control signals are provided from the controller to control the vibrator(s) of each distinct region to achieve the target vibration strength at each of the distinct table regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.Inventors: John Alderson, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7861594Abstract: A method of operating a vibratory testing apparatus is disclosed including providing a table frame with at least one vibrator attached thereto and attaching the at least one vibrator to a solenoid valve, wherein an input of the solenoid valve is connected to a pneumatic air supply and an output of the valve is connected to the vibrator. The solenoid valve is connected to a controller and a first control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a first burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a first amplitude. Then a second control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a second burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a second amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventors: Joseph D. Wetzel, Steven P. Beavers, Randall J. Beekman
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Patent number: 7784349Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vibrator table apparatus includes a primary table member driven by at least two vibrators, having upper and lower surfaces and defining x and y axes. The improvement of this embodiment includes at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the primary table member defining an opening for each of a first plurality of substantially parallel channels and an opening for each of a second plurality of substantially parallel channels substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventor: Joseph D. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7752914Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention a method of monitoring individual vibrators in a pneumatic vibration testing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a pneumatic vibration testing system including at least one vibrator, where each vibrator is connected to a pressurized air system through an output of a valve. Pressurized air is then supplied at a known pressure to an input of the valve. When that air is supplied to the valve the valve releases air in measured bursts to the vibrator and the pressure between the valve and the vibrator is monitored. The pressure between the valve and the vibrator is compared to the known pressure, which indicates if the vibrator is failing or has failed. In preferred embodiments, the testing system includes a plurality of vibrators and an equal plurality of valves, each vibrator is connected to the pressurized air system through a single associated valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventors: John Alderson, Steven P. Beavers, Randall J. Beckman, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20090260444Abstract: A method of operating a vibratory testing apparatus is disclosed including providing a table frame with at least one vibrator attached thereto and attaching the at least one vibrator to a solenoid valve, wherein an input of the solenoid valve is connected to a pneumatic air supply and an output of the valve is connected to the vibrator. The solenoid valve is connected to a controller and a first control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a first burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a first amplitude. Then a second control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a second burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a second amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.Inventors: Steven P. Beavers, Randall J. Beekman, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20090126497Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention a method of monitoring individual vibrators in a pneumatic vibration testing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a pneumatic vibration testing system including at least one vibrator, where each vibrator is connected to a pressurized air system through an output of a valve. Pressurized air is then supplied at a known pressure to an input of the valve. When that air is supplied to the valve the valve releases air in measured bursts to the vibrator and the pressure between the valve and the vibrator is monitored. The pressure between the valve and the vibrator is compared to the known pressure, which indicates if the vibrator is failing or has failed. In preferred embodiments, the testing system includes a plurality of vibrators and an equal plurality of valves, each vibrator is connected to the pressurized air system through a single associated valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.Inventors: John Alderson, Steven P. Beavers, Randall J. Beekman, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20090056457Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vibrator table apparatus includes a primary table member driven by at least two vibrators, having upper and lower surfaces and defining x and y axes. The improvement of this embodiment includes at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the primary table member defining an opening for each of a first plurality of substantially parallel channels and an opening for each of a second plurality of substantially parallel channels substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.Inventor: Joseph D. Wetzel
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Patent number: 6044709Abstract: A vibrator has (a) a housing including a wall forming a cavity, (b) a sleeve in the cavity, and (c) a piston received in the sleeve for reciprocating movement therein. In the improvement, the cavity has a boundary surface inside the housing and the vibrator includes an impact block interposed between the boundary surface and the sleeve. Such impact block is positionally retained in the cavity by the boundary surface and the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventors: Mark W. Briggs, Joseph D. Wetzel
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Patent number: 5804732Abstract: A vibrator table apparatus includes a primary table member driven by at least two vibrators. The vibrator long axes are spaced from and angular to one another. The table member has a number of cylindrical holes formed through it. That is, the holes and "through-holes" and extend between the upper and lower surfaces of the table member. The total of the areas of the holes is in the range of 40% to 60% of the area defined by the perimeter edge of the table member and, most preferably, is about 50% of such area. The upper surface of the table member has a number of sockets formed in it for receiving respective standoff studs. A product support platform is coupled to the standoff studs and is in a spaced relationship to the upper surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.Inventors: Joseph D. Wetzel, Mark W. Briggs