Patents by Inventor Neil R. Dock

Neil R. Dock 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: 20230332834
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine for thermal treatment of bulk material, comprising, a stationary furnace which presents a support structure, and a plurality of pallet cars traveling through the furnace, said plurality of pallet cars together defining, at a lateral side thereof, a common engagement surface which extends through the furnace, wherein a gap is defined between the support structure of the furnace and the common engagement surface, said gap having a gap length, the machine further comprising: a sealing system comprising: one or more drop bars, wherein each drop bar of the one or more drop bars includes a brush arranged on the drop bar such that the brush is configured to be in engagement with the common engagement surface such that the one or more drop bars covers the gap over at least parts of the gap length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Metso Outotec USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Pancher, Neil R. Dock, Brian Morgan, David Koerber, Andrew Wisner
  • Patent number: 11709019
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine for thermal treatment of bulk material, comprising, a stationary furnace which presents a support structure, and a plurality of pallet cars traveling through the furnace, said plurality of pallet cars together defining, at a lateral side thereof, a common engagement surface which extends through the furnace, wherein a gap is defined between the support structure of the furnace and the common engagement surface, said gap having a gap length, the machine further comprising: a sealing system comprising: one or more drop bars, wherein each drop bar of the one or more drop bars includes a brush arranged on the drop bar such that the brush is configured to be in engagement with the common engagement surface such that the one or more drop bars covers the gap over at least parts of the gap length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Pancher, Neil R. Dock, Brian Morgan, David Koerber, Andrew Wisner
  • Publication number: 20210372702
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine for thermal treatment of bulk material, comprising, a stationary furnace which presents a support structure, and a plurality of pallet cars traveling through the furnace, said plurality of pallet cars together defining, at a lateral side thereof, a common engagement surface which extends through the furnace, wherein a gap is defined between the support structure of the furnace and the common engagement surface, said gap having a gap length, the machine further comprising: a sealing system comprising: one or more drop bars, wherein each drop bar of the one or more drop bars includes a brush arranged on the drop bar such that the brush is configured to be in engagement with the common engagement surface such that the one or more drop bars covers the gap over at least parts of the gap length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Pancher, Neil R. Dock, Brian Morgan, David Koerber, Andrew Wisner
  • Publication number: 20210371951
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine for thermal treatment of bulk material, comprising: a stationary furnace which presents a support structure, and a plurality of pallet cars traveling through the furnace, said plurality of pallet cars together defining, at a lateral side thereof, a common engagement surface which extends through the furnace, wherein a gap is defined between the support structure of the furnace and the common engagement surface, said gap having a gap length, the machine further comprising: a sealing system comprising a series of leaf members which are partially overlapping, wherein each leaf member of the series of leaf members is connected to the support structure at a first end thereof, and self-biased into engagement with the engagement surface at a second, opposite, end thereof such that the series of leaf members, together, cover the gap over at least part of the gap length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Pancher, Neil R. Dock, Brian Morgan, David Koerber, Andrew Wisner
  • Patent number: 7354266
    Abstract: A rotary kiln for pyroprocessing particulate material includes a cylindrical kiln shell supported for rotation about a longitudinal central axis. The kiln has a discharge opening that includes a lump breaker system. The lump breaker system includes multiple insert retainers mounted to the shell and positioned along the inner circumference of the rotary kiln. Each insert retainer includes multiple mounting slots for receiving breaker inserts that can be easily removed and replaced when worn. Each of the breaker inserts can be individually removed from its respective retainer without removing either the retainer or the layer of refractory in the rotary kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Miller, Neil R. Dock, John D. Zerphey, Glenn M. Hanson, III
  • Patent number: 6309211
    Abstract: A rotary kiln includes a novel air conveying system for delivering a supply of port air beneath the material bed of feed stock passing through the interior of the kiln. The air conveying system includes an air inlet port disposed in the shell of the kiln, a main air conveying channel which communicates with the air inlet port, and a plurality of air vent channels communicating with the main air conveying channel and the interior chamber of the kiln. The main air conveying channel is formed integrally in the refractory bricks which line the inner surface of the kiln shell and extends longitudinally and parallel to the rotary axis of the kiln. The air vent channels extend through the refractory bricks substantially radially with respect to the rotary axis of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Suedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Dock, Edward T. Maciejewski