Patents by Inventor Peter B. Zieve

Peter B. Zieve 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: 10654093
    Abstract: A nose portion assembly of a riveting apparatus is rotatable between a first vertical position and a second angled position which is adjacent an end of a rivet feed ramp. The angled position of the nose assembly matches the angle of a rivet feed ramp from a rivet feed member positioned on the side of the riveting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Hill, Peter B. Zieve
  • Publication number: 20200016649
    Abstract: A nose portion assembly of a riveting apparatus is rotatable between a first vertical position and a second angled position which is adjacent an end of a rivet feed ramp. The angled position of the nose assembly matches the angle of a rivet feed ramp from a rivet feed member positioned on the side of the riveting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Hill, Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 10065235
    Abstract: The system includes a ram assembly with fingers for grasping a fastener. An actuator moves the ram assembly toward the workpiece, under machine control. A housing member which is movable by the actuator includes a holding member for an anvil portion of the ram assembly, the holding member being movable within the housing member. The holding member and the housing member are arranged so there is a selected air gap between the movable member and the top of the housing at the start of the fastener cycle. An insertion sensor assembly changes signal state when the air gap begins to close. When the air gap begins to close either too early or too late relative to a properly positioned fastener, the actuator is stopped by the cycle motion controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Reese R. Allen, Cosmos G. Krejci
  • Patent number: 9776238
    Abstract: The magnetic base assembly includes an electromagnet assembly with a top surface open magnetic pole. A shunt plate is magnetically held to the top of the electromagnet. A canting or tilting of the shunt plate results when accidental side or pulling away contact is made between a riveting processing tool and an extending portion of the aircraft part being riveted as the tool is moved from one riveting location to another. The canting or pull off of the tool prevents damage. The operator can observe the tool canting and stop the tool movement or a micro switch or proximity switch senses the canting or tilting automatically so that the tool can be stopped before damage occurs. The magnetic field can be dynamically controlled to provide adequate pulldown force for the riveting function but a breakaway force less than the amount which would cause damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Hunter P. O'Folan
  • Publication number: 20160082501
    Abstract: The system includes a ram assembly with fingers for grasping a fastener. An actuator moves the ram assembly toward the workpiece, under machine control. A housing member which is movable by the actuator includes a holding member for an anvil portion of the ram assembly, the holding member being movable within the housing member. The holding member and the housing member are arranged so there is a selected air gap between the movable member and the top of the housing at the start of the fastener cycle. An insertion sensor assembly changes signal state when the air gap begins to close. When the air gap begins to close either too early or too late relative to a properly positioned fastener, the actuator is stopped by the cycle motion controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Reese R. Allen, Cosmos G. Krejci
  • Patent number: 7954218
    Abstract: A system and method for feeding collar members to an attachment system for assembly of aircraft and similar large scale mechanical assemblies. Collars are fed sideways along a tube having a rectangular internal cross-section to a collar pathway defined by an clamp fork and swaging ram combination. The collar pathway is curved to present the collar to a receiving element mounted on a swaging die in a proper orientation relative to an attachment bolt which is moved through an opening in the workpiece and then through the collar. As the bolt is moved into the collar, the collar, receiving element and swaging die move together laterally to come into alignment with the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Electroimpact
    Inventors: Scott C. Tomchick, Peter B. Zieve, Carter L. Boad
  • Publication number: 20090127279
    Abstract: The rivet injector system includes a set of grasping spring-loaded rivet fingers which are mounted on a rivet ram portion of an automatic riveting machine. The rivet injector assembly receives a rivet from a feed tube into a chamber in the assembly. A stopper pin and a moveable forward end stop within the chamber are operated to hold the rivet axially, the rivet being supported on a rivet pad in the chamber. A tower portion of the injector assembly is slidably mounted to raise the rivet, forcing it between the spring-loaded rivet fingers, which firmly grasp the rivet. The forward end stop and the stopper pin are then retracted and the tower portion lowered, leaving the rivet grasped by the rivet fingers, permitting the rivet to be moved forwardly into a hole in the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: ELECTROIMPACT, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Christopher Buchheit
  • Patent number: 6446330
    Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Carter L. Boad, Sam O. Smith, Scott E. Neel, Brent W. Huffer
  • Publication number: 20010045006
    Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Carter L. Boad, Sam O. Smith, Scott E. Neel, Brent W. Huffer
  • Patent number: 6253448
    Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Carter L. Boad, Sam O. Smith, Scott E. Neel, Brent W. Huffer
  • Patent number: 5699599
    Abstract: The yoke assembly is C-shaped, comprising two downwardly depending leg portions and an intermediate portion. Each leg of the yoke is supported for movement of the yoke in an X coordinate direction and a Y coordinate direction. The yoke is further supported about two spaced two-axis pivot point assemblies such that the yoke can move rotationally about the Y axis and about the X axis. The pivot points and the tool point for the tools on the yoke used to accomplish the assembly operations remain in registry during movement of the yoke member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5521782
    Abstract: The power supply, useful with an electromagnetic force apparatus such as a riveter or a bolt inserter, includes two capacitor banks which are charged through charging doubler modules. Each charging doubler module includes an AC capacitor which is responsive to a power source. The AC capacitor is connected to a node point between two diode elements, which are connected in series across the capacitor bank. An analog-to-digital converter converts the voltage on the capacitor bank to a digital voltage for comparison with a selected digital charge voltage in a controller. The selected digital charge voltage may vary over time by means of a compensating algorithm. A ground fault indicator using a biasing voltage is connected between a selected electrical circuit portion of the force apparatus and earth ground. A gas discharge tube in combination with a current sensing element is connected to the capacitor banks to determine a possible over-voltage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5472087
    Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extending lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Rink, Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5437094
    Abstract: A collar-swaging die includes two portions which are slidable relative to each other for alignment of the collar onto the exposed end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, John L. Hartmann, Peter W. Janicki, Michael D. Assadi, Scott C. Tomchick
  • Patent number: 5372291
    Abstract: A base assembly for use with a riveting apparatus such as an electromagnetic riveter (EMR). In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes a base plate (42) having a raised beveled portion (80) extending upwardly from the upper surface (54) of the base plate (42). A mounting plate (72) fits on and is secured to the base plate (42) by a plurality of coil springs (90-93). The mounting plate (72) has a recessed portion (66) in the lower surface thereof which mates with the raised portion (80) of the base plate (42). Trip switches (104-107) are positioned in the mounting plate (72) for detection of movement of the mounting plate (72) relative to the base plate (42) in response to undesired contact between the EMR and a part assembly or fixture therefor. An output signal indication is provided when one or more of the trip switches (104-107) are actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Vogeli, Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5345161
    Abstract: The power supply, useful with an electromagnetic force apparatus such as a riveter or a bolt inserter, includes two capacitor banks which are charged through charging doubler modules. Each charging doubler module includes an AC capacitor which is responsive to a power source. The AC capacitor is connected to a node point between two diode elements, which are connected in series across the capacitor bank. An analog-to-digital converter converts the voltage on the capacitor bank to a digital voltage for comparison with a selected digital charge voltage in a controller. The selected digital charge voltage may vary over time by means of a compensating algorithm. A ground fault indicator using a biasing voltage is connected between a selected electrical circuit portion of the force apparatus and earth ground. A gas discharge tube in combination with a current sensing element is connected to the capacitor banks to determine a possible overvoltage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5339598
    Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extending lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Rink, Peter B. Zieve
  • Patent number: 5280673
    Abstract: The bolt insertion apparatus includes a driver which is partially contained within an interior volume defined by an inner cylindrical sleeve which is secured at its front end to a forward mass portion of the apparatus. An actuator coil is also positioned within the interior volume for electromagnetic actuation of the driver. An outer cylindrical sleeve includes a recoil mass at the rear end thereof, with the coil extending forwardly from the recoil mass into the interior volume of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is movable longitudinally relative to the inner sleeve. A spacer element is selectively removable between a forward end of the apparatus and a clamp-up nosepiece member. The apparatus is initially positioned such that there is a gap between a tool on the end of the driver and the head of the bolt. The collar-swaging apparatus includes a driver element mounted for longitudinal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, John L. Hartmann, Peter W. Janicki, Michael D. Assadi, Scott C. Tomchick
  • Patent number: 5279024
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a riveting assembly (10) which includes a rivet die (18) having a concave configuration which is brought into contact with one end of a rivet to be upset. The die (18) is driven into a rivet end by a rivet ram (16) a first time, resulting in an interference fit between the rivet shank and the part being riveted. When the die (18) is withdrawn, the newly formed rivet head will in some instances expand outwardly away from the surface of the part, leaving a gap between the formed end of the rivet and the part. A second strike assembly includes an L-shaped second strike element (28) which is moved between the die (18) and the rivet head. The ram (16) is then driven a second time, forcing the second strike element (28) against the formed end of the rivet, forcing the formed end of the rivet to flow outwardly and toward the part, resulting in the filling of the gap between the rivet head and the surface of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, John L. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 5201205
    Abstract: A two axis tracer (10) includes a back plate (34) and a front plate assembly (49) which includes a single sensing member (24) at the top end of which is a mushroom-shaped cap portion (28). Mounted on back plate (34) is a slider assembly (38) which moves in one direction between the front and rear edges of the back plate (34). The front plate assembly (49) is mounted to the slider assembly (38). A first air cylinder (60) operating a lever arm (52) provides movement of the sensing member (24) in the other direction, which is perpendicular to the one direction. A second air cylinder (68) includes an extendable rod, the end of which is secured to the back plate (34), providing movement of the front plate assembly (49) by action of the slider assembly (38). The top and peripheral edge of the cap portion (28) contact surfaces of the part to be worked in the two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Electroimpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Zieve, Peter R. Vogeli, John L. Hartmann