Patents by Inventor Michael L. Suter

Michael L. Suter 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).

  • Publication number: 20010045163
    Abstract: A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Schrader, Andre V.R. Lucato, Michael L. Suter, J. Brian Greer, D. Scott Jackson
  • Publication number: 20010046541
    Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Thomas, Gregory W. Schrader, Michael L. Suter
  • Patent number: 5996485
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes upper and lower cups for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom. A strainer tube is mounted to receive the juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube is moveable within the strainer tube. A mounting assembly is positioned on the orifice tube. A drive mechanism engages the mounting assembly for reciprocating the orifice tube within the strainer tube. An alignment bearing is interposed between the mounting assembly and the orifice tube and allows pivotal movement of the orifice tube relative to the mounting assembly to account for any mechanical misalignment. At least one mounting ring is interposed between the alignment bearing and the mounting assembly. The mounting ring is preferably formed from a glass impregnated polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, D. Scott Jackson
  • Patent number: 5992311
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes a mechanism for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom, such as upper and lower cups having cutters to cut plugs. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube has upper and lower ends and the upper end is moveable within the strainer tube. A reciprocating drive mechanism engages the orifice tube and reciprocates the orifice tube within the strainer tube for generating pressure within the strainer tube to separate juice and pulp within the strainer tube, collect the core material and discharge core out of the lower end of the orifice tube. A valve assembly is positioned at the lower end of the orifice tube. The valve assembly includes a piston having a shaft moveable into an extended position within the orifice tube, and a retracted position where core can be discharged from the lower end of the orifice tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, John A. Freer, Guillermo T. Segredo
  • Patent number: 5970861
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes a mechanism such as upper and lower cups for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube is movable within the strainer tube. A mounting assembly is positioned on the orifice tube. A reciprocating drive mechanism engages the mounting assembly for reciprocating the orifice tube into and out of the strainer tube. A release member cooperates with the orifice tube and the mounting assembly to permit release and relative movement of the mounting assembly relative to the orifice tube responsive to the orifice tube becoming lodged within the strainer tube to prevent damage to other portions of the juice extractor. A release member comprises a ring received on the orifice tube and formed of a material that shears when excessive pressure is applied as when the orifice tube becomes lodged within the strainer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, David N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5386766
    Abstract: A juice extraction process control system includes provisions to determine the load on the processing line and adjust processor speed and availability of juice extraction hardware responsive to the through put load of the juice extraction process facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo T. Segredo, Michael L. Suter
  • Patent number: 5386765
    Abstract: A spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of a finisher to allow a high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring, responsive to, among other possible inputs, flow measured by a flow switch or flow sensor as a control input to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Olusczak, Michael L. Suter
  • Patent number: 5193446
    Abstract: The spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the finisher to allow the high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring from one end of the finisher to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Olusczak, Michael L. Suter