Patents by Inventor Michael Culbertson

Michael Culbertson 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: 11701700
    Abstract: A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BARNES GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Ethan McLaughlin, Richard Miller, Steven Reilly, Michael Culbertson, Russ Sasak
  • Publication number: 20220008979
    Abstract: A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ethan McLaughlin, Richard Miller, Steven Reilly, Michael Culbertson, Russ Sasak
  • Patent number: 11110506
    Abstract: A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan McLaughlin, Richard Miller, Steven Reilly, Michael Culbertson, Russ Sasak
  • Publication number: 20180104736
    Abstract: A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Ethan McLaughlin, Richard Miller, Steven Reilly, Michael Culbertson, Russ Sasak
  • Patent number: 4034918
    Abstract: A rotary shredder for waste materials has a pair of counterrotating cutting shafts, each of which mounts a series of spaced-apart disc-type cutters. The cutters on one shaft extend into the spaces between cutters on the other shaft so that the cutters on the two shafts coact to shred material fed therebetween. The two shafts are driven by a reversible radial piston hydraulic motor through a gear train arranged to rotate one cutter shaft at twice the speed of the other. The hydraulic motor is driven by an electric motor-driven fixed or variable displacement pump. A flow-reversing valve in the hydraulic motor control circuit controls the direction of fluid flow through the hydraulic motor. The reversing valve is electrically actuated automatically by a fluid pressure-operated switch to reverse flow and the direction of rotation of the cutters to prevent jamming whenever fluid pressure in the motor circuit rises to an abnormally high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Saturn Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbertson, James E. Keller