Patents by Inventor Kristen E. Griffin
Kristen E. Griffin 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: 11964313Abstract: A nozzle for water jet equipment and a method of use thereof. The nozzle has a body including a base with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The shaft is inserted through a bore of a sleeve that rotatable about the shaft. The base and shaft define a bore therein. At least one opening is defined in the shaft and one or more grooves are milled into the shaft's exterior surface. Each opening places the body's bore in fluid communication with one of the grooves and the sleeve's bore. Water flowing through the body's bore will flow through each opening, into the associated groove and into a space between the shaft and sleeve. The shaft terminates in a conical section usable as a battering ram to break up blockages in pipes during cleaning operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Gary L. Manack, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin
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Patent number: 11934215Abstract: A system and method for cleaning of heat exchanger tubes including an assembly, an indexer, and a communication device provided with specialized software and programming. The indexer includes orthogonally arranged first and second arms. A trolley and sensors are provided on the indexer arms. One or more lances are provided on the trolley to deliver water jets into the openings. Sensors measure displacement as the trolley is moved relative to the heat exchanger's face plate. An operator controls the system from a distance away using the communication device. During setup, the pattern of the face plate is learned and mapped utilizing information from the sensors as one of the inputs. This information is utilized to help navigate the face plate during a subsequent cleaning operation. A kit for retrofitting existing X-Y indexers is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11789471Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of cleaning tubes of a heat exchanger or a tube bundle that includes disengaging the heat exchanger or bundle from a use-position in a process or a plant; moving the heat exchanger or bundle to a cleaning station remote from the use-position; positioning the heat exchanger or tube bundle in front of a cleaning apparatus; providing water jet cleaning equipment on the cleaning apparatus; responding to programming in a computing device and controlling the water jet cleaning equipment and a cleaning operation; providing a pattern of tube openings defined in an end plate of the heat exchanger or bundle to the computing device; actuating the water jet cleaning equipment with the computing device; and manually or automatically performing a cleaning operation with the water jet cleaning equipment under control of the programming of the computing device and by following the provided pattern of tube openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11781823Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to water jet equipment. Specifically, water jet equipment that includes a support frame comprised of a plurality of stackable trollies that support a plurality of lances as those lances are inserted into and withdrawn from heat exchanger tubes during a cleaning operation of the same. A method of cleaning elongated tubes by positioning and rotating the lances while moving in a first direction is further provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Kristen E. Griffin
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Patent number: 11733720Abstract: Water-jet cleaning system and a method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The equipment includes a rotary tool having a lance with at least two degrees of freedom. The lance's movements relative to openings defined in the heat exchanger face plate are controlled via a smart indexing controller. The controller includes an electronic communication device that is specifically programmed to selectively activate various components of the rotary tool and a water delivery system. The programming utilizes an observed, learned, or uploaded pattern of the heat exchanger tube openings to selectively rotate the lance relative to the rotary tool's mounting assembly or linearly move the lance towards or away from the mounting assembly. The controller moves the lance to align a nozzle thereon with a selected opening in the face plate and then delivers a high pressure water jet therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11709507Abstract: A system and method for cleaning of heat exchanger tubes including an assembly, an indexer, and a communication device provided with specialized software and programming. The indexer includes orthogonally arranged first and second arms. A trolley and sensors are provided on the indexer arms. One or more lances are provided on the trolley to deliver water jets into the openings. Sensors measure displacement as the trolley is moved relative to the heat exchanger's face plate. An operator controls the system from a distance away using the communication device. During setup, the pattern of the face plate is learned and mapped utilizing information from the sensors as one of the inputs. This information is utilized to help navigate the face plate during a subsequent cleaning operation. A kit for retrofitting existing X-Y indexers is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11674761Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to water jet equipment. Specifically, water jet equipment that includes a support frame comprised of a plurality of stackable trolleys that support a plurality of lances as those lances are inserted into and withdrawn from heat exchanger tubes during a cleaning operation of the same. A method of cleaning elongated tubes by positioning and rotating the lances while moving in a first direction is further provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Kristen E. Griffin
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Publication number: 20220261014Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of cleaning tubes of a heat exchanger or a tube bundle that includes disengaging the heat exchanger or bundle from a use-position in a process or a plant; moving the heat exchanger or bundle to a cleaning station remote from the use-position; positioning the heat exchanger or tube bundle in front of a cleaning apparatus; providing water jet cleaning equipment on the cleaning apparatus; responding to programming in a computing device and controlling the water jet cleaning equipment and a cleaning operation; providing a pattern of tube openings defined in an end plate of the heat exchanger or bundle to the computing device; actuating the water jet cleaning equipment with the computing device; and manually or automatically performing a cleaning operation with the water jet cleaning equipment under control of the programming of the computing device and by following the provided pattern of tube openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Terry D. Gromes, JR., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, JR., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Publication number: 20220228821Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to water jet equipment. Specifically, water jet equipment that includes a support frame comprised of a plurality of stackable trollies that support a plurality of lances as those lances are inserted into and withdrawn from heat exchanger tubes during a cleaning operation of the same. A method of cleaning elongated tubes by positioning and rotating the lances while moving in a first direction is further provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Kristen E. Griffin
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Publication number: 20220187854Abstract: Water-jet cleaning system and a method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The equipment includes a rotary tool having a lance with at least two degrees of freedom. The lance's movements relative to openings defined in the heat exchanger face plate are controlled via a smart indexing controller. The controller includes an electronic communication device that is specifically programmed to selectively activate various components of the rotary tool and a water delivery system. The programming utilizes an observed, learned, or uploaded pattern of the heat exchanger tube openings to selectively rotate the lance relative to the rotary tool's mounting assembly or linearly move the lance towards or away from the mounting assembly. The controller moves the lance to align a nozzle thereon with a selected opening in the face plate and then delivers a high pressure water jet therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. GROMES, SR., Terry D. GROMES, JR., Kristen E. GRIFFIN, Jon M. SHOCKEY, JR., Gordon W. EAST, William C. JACKSON
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Publication number: 20220187855Abstract: A system and method for cleaning of heat exchanger tubes including an assembly, an indexer, and a communication device provided with specialized software and programming. The indexer includes orthogonally arranged first and second arms. A trolley and sensors are provided on the indexer arms. One or more lances are provided on the trolley to deliver water jets into the openings. Sensors measure displacement as the trolley is moved relative to the heat exchanger's face plate. An operator controls the system from a distance away using the communication device. During setup, the pattern of the face plate is learned and mapped utilizing information from the sensors as one of the inputs. This information is utilized to help navigate the face plate during a subsequent cleaning operation. A kit for retrofitting existing X-Y indexers is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Terry D. Gromes, JR., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, JR., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11360494Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of cleaning tubes of a heat exchanger or a tube bundle that includes disengaging the heat exchanger or bundle from a use-position in a process or a plant; moving the heat exchanger or bundle to a cleaning station remote from the use-position; positioning the heat exchanger or tube bundle in front of a cleaning apparatus; providing water jet cleaning equipment on the cleaning apparatus; responding to programming in a computing device and controlling the water jet cleaning equipment and a cleaning operation; providing a pattern of tube openings defined in an end plate of the heat exchanger or bundle to the computing device; actuating the water jet cleaning equipment with the computing device; and manually or automatically performing a cleaning operation with the water jet cleaning equipment under control of the programming of the computing device and by following the provided pattern of tube openings.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11300981Abstract: Water-jet cleaning system and a method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The equipment includes a rotary tool having a lance with at least two degrees of freedom. The lance's movements relative to openings defined in the heat exchanger face plate are controlled via a smart indexing controller. The controller includes an electronic communication device that is specifically programmed to selectively activate various components of the rotary tool and a water delivery system. The programming utilizes an observed, learned, or uploaded pattern of the heat exchanger tube openings to selectively rotate the lance relative to the rotary tool's mounting assembly or linearly move the lance towards or away from the mounting assembly. The controller moves the lance to align a nozzle thereon with a selected opening in the face plate and then delivers a high pressure water jet therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11294399Abstract: Water-jet cleaning system and a method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The equipment includes a rotary tool having a lance with at least two degrees of freedom. The lance's movements relative to openings defined in the heat exchanger face plate are controlled via a smart indexing controller. The controller includes an electronic communication device that is specifically programmed to selectively activate various components of the rotary tool and a water delivery system. The programming utilizes an observed, learned, or uploaded pattern of the heat exchanger tube openings to selectively rotate the lance relative to the rotary tool's mounting assembly or linearly move the lance towards or away from the mounting assembly. The controller moves the lance to align a nozzle thereon with a selected opening in the face plate and then delivers a high pressure water jet therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: TERYDON, INC.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Publication number: 20210283664Abstract: A nozzle for water jet equipment and a method of use thereof. The nozzle has a body including a base with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The shaft is inserted through a bore of a sleeve that rotatable about the shaft. The base and shaft define a bore therein. At least one opening is defined in the shaft and one or more grooves are milled into the shaft's exterior surface. Each opening places the body's bore in fluid communication with one of the grooves and the sleeve's bore. Water flowing through the body's bore will flow through each opening, into the associated groove and into a space between the shaft and sleeve. The shaft terminates in a conical section usable as a battering ram to break up blockages in pipes during cleaning operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Gary L. Manack, JR., Kristen E. Griffin
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Publication number: 20210207903Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to water jet equipment. Specifically, water jet equipment that includes a support frame comprised of a plurality of stackable trollies that support a plurality of lances as those lances are inserted into and withdrawn from heat exchanger tubes during a cleaning operation of the same. A method of cleaning elongated tubes by positioning and rotating the lances while moving in a first direction is further provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Kristen E. Griffin
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Patent number: 11040381Abstract: A nozzle for water jet equipment and a method of use thereof. The nozzle has a body including a base with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The shaft is inserted through a bore of a sleeve that rotatable about the shaft. The base and shaft define a bore therein. At least one opening is defined in the shaft and one or more grooves are milled into the shaft's exterior surface. Each opening places the body's bore in fluid communication with one of the grooves and the sleeve's bore. Water flowing through the body's bore will flow through each opening, into the associated groove and into a space between the shaft and sleeve. The shaft terminates in a conical section usable as a battering ram to break up blockages in pipes during cleaning operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Gary L. Manack, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin
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Patent number: 11040380Abstract: A nozzle for water jet equipment and a method of use thereof. The nozzle has a body including a base with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The shaft is inserted through a bore of a sleeve that rotatable about the shaft. The base and shaft define a bore therein. At least one opening is defined in the shaft and one or more grooves are milled into the shaft's exterior surface. Each opening places the body's bore in fluid communication with one of the grooves and the sleeve's bore. Water flowing through the body's bore will flow through each opening, into the associated groove and into a space between the shaft and sleeve. The shaft terminates in a conical section usable as a battering ram to break up blockages in pipes during cleaning operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Gary L. Manack, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin
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Publication number: 20210026379Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of cleaning tubes of a heat exchanger or a tube bundle that includes disengaging the heat exchanger or bundle from a use-position in a process or a plant; moving the heat exchanger or bundle to a cleaning station remote from the use-position; positioning the heat exchanger or tube bundle in front of a cleaning apparatus; providing water jet cleaning equipment on the cleaning apparatus; responding to programming in a computing device and controlling the water jet cleaning equipment and a cleaning operation; providing a pattern of tube openings defined in an end plate of the heat exchanger or bundle to the computing device; actuating the water jet cleaning equipment with the computing device; and manually or automatically performing a cleaning operation with the water jet cleaning equipment under control of the programming of the computing device and by following the provided pattern of tube openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Terry D. Gromes, JR., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, JR., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
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Publication number: 20200356118Abstract: Water-jet cleaning system and a method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The equipment includes a rotary tool having a lance with at least two degrees of freedom. The lance's movements relative to openings defined in the heat exchanger face plate are controlled via a smart indexing controller. The controller includes an electronic communication device that is specifically programmed to selectively activate various components of the rotary tool and a water delivery system. The programming utilizes an observed, learned, or uploaded pattern of the heat exchanger tube openings to selectively rotate the lance relative to the rotary tool's mounting assembly or linearly move the lance towards or away from the mounting assembly. The controller moves the lance to align a nozzle thereon with a selected opening in the face plate and then delivers a high pressure water jet therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Terydon, Inc.Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, SR., Terry D. Gromes, JR., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, JR., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson