Patents by Inventor Keith Mitchell

Keith Mitchell 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: 8955668
    Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8870046
    Abstract: A device for engaging and tensioning a glass ribbon includes a center frame member, and first and second outer frame members connected thereto. The first outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the first outer frame member. The second outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an opposite edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the second outer frame member. The actuators of the first and second outer frame members moves the suction cups of the respective frame members in directions away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Tung Thanh Nguyen, Naiyue Zhou, Zepei Zhu
  • Patent number: 8826696
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in the liquid used to quench the glass while in the nozzle. The gas is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location, and can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8820599
    Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8756817
    Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140144965
    Abstract: A method for manipulating a glass sheet compound shape during a severing operation including, for example, positioning a scoring device against the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet, and temporarily bending an extended portion of the glass sheet located between the scoring device and a selected one of the edge portions from a first orientation to a severing orientation by applying a force to the extended portion of the glass sheet. In one example, the force can be applied to achieve a predetermined surface stress in the glass sheet. The method can further include forming a score line along the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet while the force is being applied to the extended portion, and breaking away the selected one of the edge portions from the glass sheet along the score line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: James William Brown, Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Ting-Jung Chia, Keith Mitchell Hill, Chih-Hung Lee, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140130552
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating sheets of brittle material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus for separating a sheet of brittle material includes a first separation cam positioned adjacent to a sheet conveyance pathway and a second separation cam positioned opposite from and downstream of the first separation cam. The first and second separation cams may be rotated such that the contact faces of the separation cams periodically extend across a centerline of the conveyance pathway. Rotation of the first and second separation cams may be synchronized such that at least the portion of the contact face of the first separation cam and at least the portion of the contact face of the second separation cam periodically extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a separation time and periodically do not extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a non-separation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Keith Mitchell Hill, Ritesh Satish Lakhkar, Mark Thomas Massaro, Liming Wang, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140061007
    Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140007619
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in the liquid used to quench the glass while in the nozzle. The gas is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location, and can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8549881
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The spray nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130134199
    Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J. Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130134200
    Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J. Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130134198
    Abstract: A device for engaging and tensioning a glass ribbon includes a center frame member, and first and second outer frame members connected thereto. The first outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the first outer frame member. The second outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an opposite edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the second outer frame member. The actuators of the first and second outer frame members moves the suction cups of the respective frame members in directions away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Keith Mitchell HILL, Tung Thanh NGUYEN, Naiyue ZHOU, Zepei ZHU
  • Publication number: 20130130597
    Abstract: A glass treatment apparatus, in one example, can include a fluid dispensing device configured to dispense a substantially laminar flow of a fluid film. In another example, a shroud substantially circumscribes an outer peripheral surface of a working wheel. The shroud includes a slot configured to receive an edge portion of a glass sheet. Methods of treating glass, in one example, include the step of dispensing a substantially laminar flow of a fluid film along a fluid plane to subsequently land on a first side of a glass sheet. In further examples, a fluid is passed over an inner surface of a shroud to carry away machined particles from a glass sheet. In still further examples, an outer peripheral surface of a working wheel is impacted with a fluid stream to clean the working wheel from glass particles generated when machining an edge of the glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: James William Brown, Keith Mitchell Hill, Siva Venkatachalam, Edward Zhmayev, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130037592
    Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8356674
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to wellbore tubular running systems and methods of their use. In one illustrative embodiment, a tubular running system is disclosed that includes, among other things, a torque frame, a main shaft extending through a top opening of the torque frame and rotatable by rotation apparatus, slip setting apparatus connected to the torque frame and including a levelling beam and a plurality of slip assemblies, each of the slip assemblies connected independently and pivotably to the levelling beam, and movement apparatus connected to the levelling beam for moving the slip assemblies in unison with respect to a tubular projecting into the torque frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Murray, Pieter Dekker, Keith Mitchell Wien, Neils De Keijzer, Antonius Dimphena Maria Krijnen, Rene Mulder, Johannes Wilhelmus Henricus Van Rijzingen, David Cardellini, David Brian Mason
  • Publication number: 20120131963
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The spray nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passagewayto cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Patent number: 8132427
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100287991
    Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: James William Brown, Patrick Michael Gargano, Keith Mitchell Hill, Xinghua Li, William Paul Ryszytiwskyj, Naiyue Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100193198
    Abstract: A tubular running system including a torque frame, a main shaft extending through a top opening of the torque frame and rotatable by rotation apparatus, slip setting apparatus connected to the torque frame and including a levelling beam and a plurality of slip assemblies, each of the slip assemblies connected independently and pivotably to the levelling beam, and movement apparatus connected to the levelling beam for moving the slip assemblies in unison with respect to a tubular projecting into the torque frame. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72 (b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Lee Murray, Pieter Dekker, Keith Mitchell Wien, Neils De Keijzer, Antonius Dimphena Maria Krijnen, Rene Mulder, Johannes Wilhelmus Henricus Van Rijzingen, David Cardellini, David Brian Mason