Patents by Inventor Lawrence Lawson
Lawrence Lawson 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: 7600306Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of a vehicle wheel includes locating apparatus that determines the location of an aperture on the wheel rim for receiving the valve stem, the locating apparatus preferably including a machine vision system at a gauging station. A programmable, robotic manipulator capable of compound, multi-axial movement and capable of engaging the valve stem is controlled by a controller to engage a valve stem, move the valve stem to the aperture in the wheel rim, coaxially align the central axis of the aperture with the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture along the aligned central and longitudinal axes. Optionally, the robotic manipulator may include a nut runner to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station may include a rotating table to rotate the vehicle wheel and an optical sensor for detecting the location of the aperture for the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D Sachs
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Publication number: 20070107183Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of a vehicle wheel includes locating apparatus that determines the location of an aperture on the wheel rim for receiving the valve stem, the locating apparatus preferably including a machine vision system at a gauging station. A programmable, robotic manipulator capable of compound, multi-axial movement and capable of engaging the valve stem is controlled by a controller to engage a valve stem, move the valve stem to the aperture in the wheel rim, coaxially align the central axis of the aperture with the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture along the aligned central and longitudinal axes. Optionally, the robotic manipulator may include a nut runner to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station may include a rotating table to rotate the vehicle wheel and an optical sensor for detecting the location of the aperture for the valve stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company, a corporation of the State of MichiganInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl Sachs
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Publication number: 20070079941Abstract: A tire/wheel bead entrapment remover is disclosed. The tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more working assemblies having a circumferential perimeter that substantially engages a tire. The one ore more working assemblies axially-moves one of a wheel of the tire mounted to the wheel while axially-fixing the other of the tire or the wheel to remove one or more entrapments between a bead of the tire and a beat seat of the wheel. According to an embodiment, a tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more wheels that engages an outboard surface or an inboard surface of a tire mounted to a wheel. The radial axis extends through the one or more wheels. The radial axis traverses a radial line that radially extends from a common axis of rotation of the tire and the wheel. A method for removing an entrapment from a tire/wheel assembly is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: Creative Technology Systems LLCInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Edwin Reece, Robert Reece
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Publication number: 20070074823Abstract: An inflator device is disclosed. The inflator device includes a seal assembly that maintains, while sealing from ambient pressure, an open air passageway between a tire bead and wheel bead seat during an inflation procedure. A seal for the inflator device is also disclosed. The seal includes a ring-shape having a flexible inner periphery that is adapted to maintain, while sealing from ambient pressure, an open air passageway between a tire bead and wheel bead seat during an inflation procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Creative Technology Systems LLCInventors: Robert Reece, Lawrence Lawson
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Publication number: 20070074824Abstract: A tire-wheel assembly adjuster is disclosed. The tire-wheel assembly comprises a working assembly adapted to be adjustable along an axis relative a workpiece and a sub-assembly coupled to the working assembly that is adapted to be radially adjustable relative the axis. A method for assembling a tire-wheel assembly is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a tire in an un-mounted state relative a wheel to a tire-wheel assembly adjuster; moving a sub-assembly connected to a working assembly in a radial direction relative an axis; moving the working assembly in a first direction about the axis toward the tire and wheel; and causing a wheel adjuster extending from the sub-assembly to circumferentially seat a bead of the tire into a bead seat of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Creative Technology Systems LLCInventors: Lawrence Lawson, John Fox
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Patent number: 7185410Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an vehicle wheel includes engaging a valve stem with a robotic manipulator, moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel, coaxially aligning the valve stem with the aperture in the rim, and inserting the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. Preferably, the aperture location in the rim is determined at a gauging station by a machine vision system. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station can use a table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an optical sensor detects the location of the aperture. Optionally, a probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended into the aperture to confirm the aperture position and to reposition the rim slightly if required.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D Sachs
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Publication number: 20060169415Abstract: A factory layout including a track circuit, one or more wheeled carts for traversing the track circuit and a tire/wheel assembly carried by the wheeled cart. One or more work stations can be positioned at locations along the track circuit. Various wheeled cart embodiments are disclosed and various work station configurations are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2006Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: Creative Technology Systems LLCInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Edwin Reece, Robert Reece
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Patent number: 7017864Abstract: Railway track circuit apparatus for train detection comprises a track circuit transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter generates a QPSK modulated signal that is transmitted into a track circuit and which is detected by the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings LimitedInventor: Lawrence Lawson McAllister
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Publication number: 20050177989Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an vehicle wheel includes engaging a valve stem with a robotic manipulator, moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel, coaxially aligning the valve stem with the aperture in the rim, and inserting the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. Preferably, the aperture location in the rim is determined at a gauging station by a machine vision system. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station can use a table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an optical sensor detects the location of the aperture. Optionally, a probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended into the aperture to confirm the aperture position and to reposition the rim slightly if required.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Applicant: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company, a corporation of the State of MichiganInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl Sachs
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Patent number: 6886231Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel includes rims being supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the type and/or size of the rim and the location and alignment of an aperture for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp either the valve stem or the rim, move the valve stem or the rim to a mounting station, position the valve stem or the rim with respect to the other such that the aperture in the rim is in coaxial alignment with the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D. Sachs
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Patent number: 6848658Abstract: A train location arrangement interleaves a plurality of detection systems to provide, in combination, a higher resolution of train detection than would be provided by one of the systems on its own.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings LimitedInventor: Lawrence Lawson McAllister
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Publication number: 20030112131Abstract: Railway track circuit apparatus for train detection comprises a track circuit transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter generates a QPSK modulated signal that is transmitted into a track circuit and which is detected by the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventor: Lawrence Lawson McAllister
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Publication number: 20030058119Abstract: A train location arrangement is disclosed that interleaves a plurality of detection systems to provide, in combination, a higher resolution of train detection than would be provided by one of the systems on its own.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE BRAKE AND SIGNAL HOLDINGS LIMITEDInventor: Lawrence Lawson McAllister
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Publication number: 20030051326Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel includes rims being supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the type and/or size of the rim and the location and alignment of an aperture for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp either the valve stem or the rim, move the valve stem or the rim to a mounting station, position the valve stem or the rim with respect to the other such that the aperture in the rim is in coaxial alignment with the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D. Sachs
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Patent number: 6481083Abstract: In an automated method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel, rims are supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the location and alignment of a hole for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp the rim, move it to a mounting station where a valve stem is retained, position the rim such that the hole is in alignment with the valve stem, and urge the rim toward the valve stem to insert the valve stem through the hole in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem to secure. As an alternative to the machine vision system, the gauging station may utilize a rotating table which rotates the wheel about its central axis, and an “electric eye” optical sensor which directs a beam of infrared light onto the rim.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1999Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D. Sachs
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Patent number: 4062220Abstract: A system for accurately mixing two or more liquids and for dispensing the mixture. The system is generally adapted for use in paint spraying operations. The flow of one of the components is accurately measured by means of a flow meter and the measured value provides a signal to control a valve which, in turn, controls the flow of the other liquid. Periodically the volume of the first mentioned liquid is measured for a given time period so as to make necessary adjustments in the flow meter-valve interconnection. An improved arrangement is provided for purging a mixing manifold immediately prior to the completion of the dispensing cycle so that none of the mixture will be wasted. The control arrangement includes improved air operated two and three-way valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1976Date of Patent: December 13, 1977Assignee: Dominion Tool & Die Co., Inc.Inventors: Frank Taube, Lawrence Lawson