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).

  • Patent number: 7472784
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Publication number: 20080053792
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Publication number: 20080053791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 7131525
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6986418
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6966430
    Abstract: A multipressure plenum system for supporting a conveyor belt of a gas supported belt conveyor and method of operation. The multipressure plenum system includes a multipressure plenum having a support surface including a plurality of apertures and a chamber in fluid communication with the apertures. The chamber of the plenum is in selective fluid communication with a first source of gas at a first pressure, and is in selective fluid communication with a second source of gas at a second pressure. Gas from the first source of gas at the first pressure flows through the apertures in the plenum to form a gas cushion which supports the conveyor belt above the plenum. Gas from the second source of gas at the second pressure selectively flows through the apertures in the plenum to provide additional support to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, James A. Hicks, Paul Grisley
  • Publication number: 20040118661
    Abstract: A multipressure plenum system for supporting a conveyor belt of a gas supported belt conveyor and method of operation. The multipressure plenum system includes a multipressure plenum having a support surface including a plurality of apertures and a chamber in fluid communication with the apertures. The chamber of the plenum is in selective fluid communication with a first source of gas at a first pressure, and is in selective fluid communication with a second source of gas at a second pressure. Gas from the first source of gas at the first pressure flows through the apertures in the plenum to form a gas cushion which supports the conveyor belt above the plenum. Gas from the second source of gas at the second pressure selectively flows through the apertures in the plenum to provide additional support to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, James A. Hicks, Paul Grisley
  • Patent number: 6695131
    Abstract: A catenary conveyor belt support apparatus for supporting a conveyor belt having a first edge and second edge. The support apparatus includes a first support block having a top surface for supporting the conveyor belt at the first edge and a second support block having a top surface for supporting the conveyor belt at the second edge. First and second idler strings extend between and are connected to the first and second support blocks. Each idler string includes one or more idler rollers for supporting the conveyor belt. A pair of resilient biasing members are respectively attached at a first end to each idler string and at a second end to an anchor member. The support blocks and the resilient biasing members inhibit misalignment of the idler rollers and movement of the first and second edges of the conveyor belt to reduce the escape of conveyed material from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Publication number: 20030230466
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6591969
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Shawn D. Lay, Pablo F. Perez, Brian K. Kaiser, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6575294
    Abstract: A conveyor belt skirt assembly adapted to be attached to a conveyor mechanism to retain conveyed material on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt skirt assembly includes a mounting mechanism having first and second clamping members and a conveyor belt skirt adapted to be attached between the first and second clamping members. The conveyor belt skirt includes a relatively thin upper portion and a relatively thick lower portion. The upper portion of the skirt includes an offset wall forming a pocket adapted to receive the first clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, Steven E. Brody
  • Patent number: 6575292
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly adapted to be attached to a cross shaft. The conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly includes a mounting base adapted to be mounted to the cross shaft and an arm member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm member is pivotally attached to the mounting base for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A scraper blade is attached to the second end of the arm member. A gas spring tensioner has a first end pivotally attached to the mounting base and a second end pivotally attached the arm member. The tensioner includes a housing and a ram having a first end located within the housing and a second end located externally of the housing. The ram is extendable and retractable with respect to the housing to thereby pivot the arm member and the scraper blade about the pivot axis. The scraper blade includes a metal scraping tip having an elastomeric wear-in tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 6457575
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for removably mounting a conveyor belt cleaner scraping member to a support member. The mounting arrangement includes first and second mounting members adapted to be attached to the support member. Each mounting member includes one or more apertures. A base member is adapted to be attached to the scraping member. The base member includes one or more bores adapted to be aligned with a respective aperture in each mounting member. The bore includes inwardly projecting first and second annular ribs. A mounting pin having a shank is adapted to be inserted into the apertures of the first and second mounting members and into the bore of the base member to thereby connect the base member to the mounting members. The shank of the pin includes a first annular groove adapted to receive and interlock with the first rib of the base member and a second annular groove adapted to receive and interlock with the second annular rib of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 6439373
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner and tensioning arrangement for cleaning a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt cleaner and a tensioner. The conveyor belt cleaner includes one or more scraper blades mounted on a rotatable cross shaft. The tensioner includes a mounting member attached to the cross shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, a resilient linear biasing member attached to the mounting member, and a linear actuator attached to the biasing member. Operation of the actuator member stores a biasing force within the biasing member which in turn rotates the scraper blades into full-face engagement with the conveyor belt with a biasing force. As the scraper blades wear the biasing member continues to rotate the scraper blades into full-face engagement with the conveyor belt with a biasing force that changes in magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Publication number: 20020100661
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper balde. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Shawn D. Lay, Pablo F. Perez, Brian K. Kaiser, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Publication number: 20020070096
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly adapted to be attached to a cross shaft. The conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly includes a mounting base adapted to be mounted to the cross shaft and an arm member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm member is pivotally attached to the mounting base for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A scraper blade is attached to the second end of the arm member. A gas spring tensioner has a first end pivotally attached to the mounting base and a second end pivotally attached the arm member. The tensioner includes a housing and a ram having a first end located within the housing and a second end located externally of the housing. The ram is extendable and retractable with respect to the housing to thereby pivot the arm member and the scraper blade about the pivot axis. The scraper blade includes a metal scraping tip having an elastomeric wear-in tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 6401911
    Abstract: A scraper blade adapted to be mounted on a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner. The scraper blade includes a scraping member having a foot and a tip having a scraping edge. The scraping member is formed from an elastomeric material. The scraper blade also includes a base member that is adapted to be attached to the cross shaft of the conveyor belt cleaner. A resiliently flexible connector member extends between the base member and the foot of the scraping member. The connector member has a first end embedded within the foot of the scraping member and a second end embedded within the base member. A hinge member formed from an elastomeric material extends between the base member and the foot of the scraping member and embeds the portion of the connector member located therebetween. The flexible connector member enables the scraping member to resiliently pivot with respect to the base member about a pivot axis without any movement of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Publication number: 20020046928
    Abstract: A catenary conveyor belt support apparatus for supporting a conveyor belt having a first edge and second edge. The support apparatus includes a first support block having a top surface for supporting the conveyor belt at the first edge and a second support block having atop surface for supporting the conveyor belt at the second edge. First and second idler strings extend between and are connected to the first and second support blocks. Each idler string includes one or more idler rollers for supporting the conveyor belt. A pair of resilient biasing members are respectively attached at a first end to each idler string and at a second end to an anchor member. The support blocks and the resilient biasing members inhibit misalignment of the idler rollers and movement of the first and second edges of the conveyor belt to reduce the escape of conveyed material from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: D543670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: D547523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: R. Todd Swinderman