Patents by Inventor R. Todd Swinderman
R. Todd Swinderman 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).
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Patent number: 9416810Abstract: Elastomeric joining element retaining devices are disclosed. In an aspect, a retaining device is disclosed which is constructed from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane and designed to receive and align an assembly or “stack-up” of nuts, bolts, washers, and/or other joining elements. The retaining device retains and aligns the assembly, enabling a user to install the assembly accurately without dropping or misaligning portions of the assembly. Such retaining devices ease the process of installing or removing joining elements in hard to reach locations.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: RTODDS ENGINEERING, LLCInventor: R. Todd Swinderman
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Publication number: 20160010676Abstract: Elastomeric joining element retaining devices are disclosed. In an aspect, a retaining device is disclosed which is constructed from an elastomeric material such as polyurethane and designed to receive and align an assembly or “stack-up” of nuts, bolts, washers, and/or other joining elements. The retaining device retains and aligns the assembly, enabling a user to install the assembly accurately without dropping or misaligning portions of the assembly. Such retaining devices ease the process of installing or removing joining elements in hard to reach locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: RTODDS ENGINEERING, LLCInventor: R. Todd Swinderman
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Patent number: 8267239Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters
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Publication number: 20120031736Abstract: A bulk material handling system comprises a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material, and a bulk material handling accessory that aids in the operation of the bulk material handling apparatus. The bulk material handling accessory comprises a controller having one or more sensors. The controller comprises a processor and a computer readable memory capable of: (i) generating a control signal indicative of an operating condition of the bulk material handling accessory during a cycle of operation of the accessory; (ii) storing in the memory of the controller a limit associated with an operating condition of the accessory; (iii) comparing the control signal to the limit; (iv) generating a signal indicative of an abnormal event associated with the operating condition when the control signal is beyond the limit; and (v) generating a response signal when a number of abnormal event signals generated exceeds a predetermined level of abnormal events.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 8069971Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 8037997Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20110247426Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters
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Patent number: 7866457Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
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Patent number: 7775341Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 7740126Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 7740127Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 7669708Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090294252Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: 7556140Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090078539Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090078536Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090082904Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090078537Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Publication number: 20090078538Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Martin Engineering CompanyInventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
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Patent number: D1015135Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: RTODDS ENGINEERING, LLCInventor: R. Todd Swinderman