Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Roper

Ralph E. Roper 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: 20170144895
    Abstract: A method of reducing the mobility of metal contaminates in mediums such as soil, groundwater, sludge, etc. that involves contacting the mediums with a reagent that is a ferrous sulfide suspension that contains at least FeS and Al(OH)3. The reagent is produced by reacting a solution that contains at least NaAlO2 and NaOH with a solution that contains FeCl2, HCl and water to form a reaction mixture that contains Fe2+, Cl?, Na+, Al(OH)3 and H2O; and adding NaHS to the reaction mixture. The mobility of the metal contaminates is reduce by adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto the surface of ferrous sulfide or Al(OH)3 in the ferrous sulfide suspension; adsorption of the metal contaminates in the medium onto iron (hydr)-oxides formed in the suspension; and precipitation of the metal contaminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Gary J. Meyer, Thomas P. McCullough, Anthony J. Kriech, Ralph E. Roper
  • Publication number: 20080113063
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a family of micronutrient supplements that can be used in food or in animal feeds and to methods of enhancing the growth of animals using one or more of the supplements. The family of micronutrient supplements is an ammine chloride salt of an essential metal. Representative essential metals for use according to this disclosure include a divalent or trivalent cation of zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, chrome, iron, cobalt and calcium. When provided as a metal ammine chloride salt, the essential metal is highly bioavailable to enhance the survivability, growth, health and/or reproductivity of animals. The micronutrient supplement can be administered to animals either as a single supplement or admixed with other nutrients or feeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Shannon R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5890387
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming complex shaped frame members from a tubular blank where the blank is transferred from station to station and various tooling are performed on the blank at each station. For example, at a first station the blank is expanded into a tube having a varying cross-section throughout the length of the tube by applying pressure to the interior of the tube and compressive force to the opposed ends of the tube preferably simultaneously. At another station, the expanded tube is preformed by introducing a bend therein. The bend in the preformed tube is then increased at another station. While the expanded tube is being preformed and bent, the flow of material into the die cavity at those stations is controlled to reduce the amount of folding that may occur. The shape of the frame member is finished at another station by introducing a lateral bend and varying the cross-sectional configuration of the bent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary Alan Webb, Douglas W. Tyger
  • Patent number: 5865054
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5802898
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending a tube blank having an outer diameter, comprising: an inner bending die having an arcuate outer surface which has a first radius from an axis; a wiper shoe having an inner surface, said shoe disposed and adapted to trap a tube blank between said inner surface and said outer surface; holding means for holding a first portion of the blank against said inner die; limiting means for limiting movement of said shoe to rolling about an arc around said axis, said arc having a second radius from said axis which is approximately between said first radius and said first radius plus said diameter; and, moving means for moving said shoe around said axis, and around the blank thereby bending a second portion of the blank around said outer surface; and sealing and pressurizing means for sealing the blank and for hydraulically pressurizing the interior of the blank to a sufficient pressure to allow moving means to bend a second portion of the blank around said outer surface, said pressurized liquid a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Aquaform, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5533372
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides. A basic die is mountable to the press and specific tooling is replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes a riser, a manifold and hydraulic cylinder assemblies. A sheet metal blank is positioned on the lower die and is clamped between the upper and lower dies whereby the periphery of the blank is gripped between a male and female bead mounted all around a part print cavity. The cylinder assemblies cause hydraulic fluid to be forced into a region between the clamped blank and the lower die and form the blank in the part print cavity. The male bead exerts varying control on the sheet to allow it to stretch across portions of the cavity while flowing into other portions of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: AK Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5499520
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Aquaform Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5481892
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a one-piece, complex-shaped tubular member from a tubular blank is provided. The tubular blank is placed in a die cavity defining a tube having at least two expanded portions and a bend therein. As the die cavity is closed around the tubular blank to form the bend, the interior of the tubular blank is pressurized to expand the tubular blank into the at least two expanded portions defined by the die cavity. When the bent and expanded tubular blank is removed from the die cavity, the ends of the tubular blank are cropped to form the finished tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb, Douglas W. Tyger, Donald F. Lowen
  • Patent number: 5372027
    Abstract: A sheet metal blank positioned upon a lower die is wrapped around an upper die as the upper die is moved down to a closed position by an outer slide, the blank being clamped between the upper and lower dies whereby the periphery of the blank is gripped between a male and female bead mounted all around a part print cavity in the upper and lower dies, respectively. The outer slide then dwells while an inner slide moves down, engaging and actuating cylinder assemblies, causing hydraulic fluid to be forced into a region between the clamped blank and the lower die, the blank being formed into a part print cavity defined in the upper die. The male bead exerts varying control on the sheet to allow it to stretch across portions of the cavity while flowing into other portions of the cavity. A locking mechanism prevents the bending of the dies and holds the dies in a closed position thereby assisting the engagement of the male bead with the female bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P., Price Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5372026
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides and includes a basic die mountable to the press and specific tooling replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes an upper shoe mountable to the outer slide, a reservoir pan mounted atop the base, and hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted with the pan and mechanically actuatable by the inner slide for providing pressurized fluid to the specific tooling. The specific tooling includes mating upper and lower dies connected to the upper shoe and base, respectively, and movable between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P. & Price Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5353618
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P., Price Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb, Douglas W. Tyger
  • Patent number: 5239852
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P., Price Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5157969
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides and includes a basic die mountable to the press and specific tooling replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes an upper shoe mountable to the outer slide, a lower shoe mountable atop the base and hydraulic cylinder assemblies connected to the lower shoe and mechanically actuatable by the inner slide for providing pressurized fluid to the specific tooling. The specific tooling includes mating upper and lower dies connected to the corresponding upper and lower shoes and movable between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignees: Armco Steel Co., L.P., Graph-Tech, Inc., Price Enterprises
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 4576030
    Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to an improved die for homogeneously stretch forming sheet metal in standard sized presses without also drawing the sheet metal. The die is comprised of complementary male and female die halves moveable between open and closed positions, and a blank holder member moveable between open and closed positions relative to the female die half. A pair of grippers having mutually facing surfaces is carried by the female die half and the blank holder member. One of the gripper surfaces defines exactly two rectangular shaped beads which extend entirely around the circumference of the male and female die halves, while the other of the gripper surfaces is flat. The beads are equally spaced apart along their lengths and each includes a pair of relatively sharp edges for biting into the sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Wallace Expanding Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 4536931
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for burnishing annular surfaces. The apparatus includes a burnishing tool which is actuated to rotate in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The apparatus is used for the burnishing of annular thrust bearings which have oil wick slots and wick slot oil ramps. A rack and pinion connects a tool mounting spindle to an air cylinder and is used to rotate the tool in one direction and then the other direction. The tool has a convexly shaped burnishing surface. The tool's axis of rotation is coaxially aligned with the central axis of the annular surface. The rotation of the tool in one direction and then in the other direction burnishes the thrust surface and the wick slot oil ramps of the bearings. The opposite ends of the rotational burnishing strokes locates the tool in the wick slots so as to leave no stopping imperfection on the thrust surface of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Wallace Expanding Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 4295357
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for making a metal annular member of precise tolerances and desired surface finish. An external die has a continuous die surface of the configuration desired for the external surface of the metal annular member and an annular ridge surrounding the inside of the die for seating one end of an annular sheet metal blank. A first punch engages the sheet metal blank and drives it into the external die so as to reduce the external diameter of the blank and seat it against the ridge. The precise tolerance of the die surface of the external die determines both the external and at least a portion of the internal dimensions produced in the annular sheet metal blank. The first punch is axially movable to an endmost position wherein substantially all of the blank has been forced into the die. An ejector punch is positioned inside of the external die and operates to provide a portion of the forming die surfaces as well as to eject the completed workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: General Tire & Rubber Co.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 4238949
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for making a metal annular member of precise tolerances and desired surface finish. An external die has a continuous die surface of the configuration desired for the external surface of the metal annular member and an annular ridge surrounding the inside of the die for seating one end of an annular sheet metal blank. A first punch engages the sheet metal blank and drives it into the external die so as to reduce the external diameter of the blank and seat it against the ridge. The precise tolerance of the die surface of the external die determines both the external and at least a portion of the internal dimensions produced in the annular sheet metal blank. The first punch is axially movable to an endmost position wherein substantially all of the blank has been forced into the die. An ejector punch is positioned inside of the external die and operates to provide a portion of the forming die surfaces as well as to eject the completed workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: The General Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 4062215
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a metal annular member of precise tolerances. The workpiece is formed by welding sheet metal into a tube. The workpiece is presized by expanding it and plastically stretching it into a precise predetermined annular configuration adapted to closely fit a post element having a pair of spaced annular liquid seals mounted thereon. The post element and workpiece are positioned within an annular lower outer die. A cup-shaped upper outer die is placed over the lower die and is used to compress the post element to squeeze the liquid seals to expand them. Forming of the workpiece is accomplished by pumping liquid into the post element between the liquid seals forcing the workpiece to expand against the outer dies and the sheet metal at the end portions of the workpiece to feed into the part being formed from between the outer dies and the post element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Wallace Expanding Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper