Patents by Inventor Mark H. Opfer

Mark H. Opfer 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: 6997860
    Abstract: This apparatus is a centrifugal separator comprising a centrifuge bowl; a hollow spindle connected to the bowl; a scraper located within the interior of the bowl; a shaft connected to a scraper, the shaft extending through the hollow spindle; a single drive member directly engaged to the shaft for inducing rotation of the scraper within the bowl. A clutch is engaged between the shaft and spindle. In a high speed separation operation, the clutch engages and the bowl and scraper rotate at the same speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventor: Mark H. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5984624
    Abstract: The high speed rack loader/unloader system uses a two arm loading machine to allow flat pieces of material to be loaded on a horizontal conveyor from a vertical rack or to a vertical rack from a horizontal conveyor. The two arms are mounted on a single input, two output right angle gearbox. The outputs of the gearbox rotate in opposite directions so one arm is rotating up while the other arm is rotating down. The two arms are mounted at a roughly 90 degree angle from each other so one arm is at the conveyor while the other arm is at the rack. Each arm has a mechanism to allow the length of the arms to be positioned to four different lengths. Full extension, long extension, short extension and no extension. At the end of the arms are vacuum cups to hold the flat material during transfer. The rack is loaded on a moveable platform that indexes as pieces of material are added or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Opfer, Charles E. Gottschalk, Mark R. Kolkemeyer
  • Patent number: 5916082
    Abstract: This separator is a centrifugal device for separating solids from contaminated effluent such as oil or water base coolants and other liquids which are used in a variety of grinding and machining applications in the glass, ceramic and metal-forming industries. A containment liner or bladder lines the interior of the separator and communicates with fluid inlets and outlets. An inlet orifice allows for the pulling of a vacuum which holds the bladder in place on the interior walls of the separator. Periodically, rotation is stopped, vacuum is released and the bladder is allowed to invert and drop below the separator. Hanging in this inverted position, it is easy to clean or remove the solids from the inverted bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventor: Mark H. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5887325
    Abstract: This device includes a machine tool for cutting and breaking out parts such as a glass template, a positioning shuttle for moving the glass from the cutting station to the different grinders, and multiple grinders for grinding the edgework of the glass. The system uses standard cutting, break out, and grinder machine tools. The special part of the system is the shuttle that transfers the parts to the grinders without relocation. The shuttle maintains the fixed position of the blank with regard to the X, Y axis of the cutting station through the grinding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventor: Mark H. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5512031
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of a centrifugal separator which automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The method makes use of a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress, The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventors: Tom S. Ziems, Mark H. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5454777
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the efficiency of the centrifugal separator automatically adjusts in accordance with operator input for varying amounts of solids in contaminated fluid being passed through the separator. A load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the centrifuge bowl and a second load sensing circuit monitors the load on the drive motor of the scraper vane. The apparatus further includes a variable speed motor designed to vary the gravitational force with which the centrifuge operates in response to a variety of factors regarding particle size and specific gravity. The load sensing circuits optimize cleaning cycle frequency and reduce failure due to mechanical stress. The load sensing circuits taken in combination with the variable speed drive provide the ability to efficiently and variably monitor the cleansing intervals to provide predetermined levels of cleansing and prevent the overloading of the scraper and scraper mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventors: Tom S. Ziems, Mark H. Opfer