Patents by Inventor Mark Richard Cranston

Mark Richard Cranston 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).

  • Mobile conveyor including adaptive alignment system
    Publication number: 20010001434
    Abstract: A conveyor system having a plurality of segments and articulable joints connecting adjacent segments is disclosed. Each segment is provided with an individually controllable drive unit for moving the conveyor segment over a surface on which the conveyor system is supported. Each joint between segments is provided with a sensor system to measure the amount of articulation at each joint. The conveyor system is further provided with a control system for aligning the segments of the conveyor system. The control system surveys each joint of the conveyor to determine which, if any, joints are out of alignment. The extent of misalignment at each joint is measured and the joint having the maximum misalignment at the time is identified. The maximum velocity at which the overall conveyor system may travel is then limited based on the ratio between the maximum measurable misalignment and the maximum surveyed misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Raymond C. Daigh, Mark Richard Cranston, Richard J. Monroe
  • Mobile conveyor including adaptive alignment system
    Patent number: 6155400
    Abstract: A conveyor system having a plurality of segments and articulable joints connecting adjacent segments is disclosed. Each segment is provided with an individually controllable drive unit for moving the conveyor segment over a surface on which the conveyor system is supported. Each joint between segments is provided with a sensor system to measure the amount of articulation at each joint. The conveyor system is further provided with a control system for aligning the segments of the conveyor system. The control system surveys each joint of the conveyor to determine which, if any, joints are out of alignment. The, extent of misalignment at each joint is measured and the joint having the maximum misalignment at the time is identified. The maximum velocity at which the overall conveyor system may travel is then limited based on the ratio between the maximum measurable misalignment and the maximum surveyed misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: RAHCO International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Daigh, Mark Richard Cranston, Richard J. Monroe