Patents by Inventor Max E. Stewart
Max E. Stewart 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: 6409163Abstract: A fixturing device for holding a workpiece for processing by an induction hardening machine includes a first subassembly constructed and arranged to be attached to an induction coil subassembly which is movable into and out of position around the workpiece. A second subassembly, virtually identical in construction to the first subassembly, is attached to the induction coil assembly and the two subassemblies are spaced apart so as to face one another and so as to define therebetween a workpiece-receiving region. Each subassembly includes an L-shaped bracket with one leg configured for attachment to the induction coil assembly and the other leg configured with connecting rods for attachment to a holding block. There are three connecting rods, two in the form of cylindrical pins, and one, the center connecting rod, being externally threaded for connecting a holding block to the L-shaped bracket. The two cylindrical pins receive coil springs so as to spring bias the holding block.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.Inventor: Max E. Stewart
-
Patent number: 6160247Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.Inventors: John M. Storm, Max E. Stewart, Spencer L. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 6153865Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are prograrmned into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.Inventors: John M. Storm, Max E. Stewart, Spencer L. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 6123000Abstract: A centering spindle for use with a workpiece which is to be induction hardened includes a generally cylindrical outer housing into which a shaft is positioned and mounted in spaced relation to the housing by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement allows the shaft to rotate relative to the housing. The end of the shaft extending out of the housing is connected to an isolation spacer which is fabricated out of an electrical insulator material. The isolation spacer in turn is attached to a removable tip which is constructed and arranged for interfacing with the workpiece to be induction hardened. The design of the centering spindle is such that the tip may be removed and replaced when it becomes worn without the need to replace any of the other parts or components of the centering spindle. Further, any electromagnetic field induced in the workpiece and transmitted to the tip will not be transmitted to the shaft nor to the bearing arrangement due to the isolation spacer.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardeing, Inc.Inventors: Max E. Stewart, Scott J. Huizenga, Michael D. Berry
-
Patent number: 6111236Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.Inventors: John M. Storm, Max E. Stewart, Spencer L. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 6018155Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.Inventors: John M. Storm, Max E. Stewart, Spencer L. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 6013904Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Contour Hardenting, Inc.Inventors: John M. Storm, Max E. Stewart, Spencer L. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 4244279Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission having a pump and a motor of the radial piston type with each cylinder slipper bearing rotatably supported by a hybrid or combination hydrostatic and hydrodynamic bearing on an internal bearing. The hydrostatic bearing component has a restricted port connecting hydrostatic pressure fluid from the cylinder to supply a distribution recess in the slipper bearing surface for hydrostatic pressure feed of the fluid film providing hydrostatic balancing pressure gradient between the slipper and internal bearing to balance a high percentage of the hydrostatic pressure load and to meet flow requirements for low speed operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1979Date of Patent: January 13, 1981Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Max E. Stewart, James R. Lucas