Patents by Inventor Randall C. Ragan

Randall C. Ragan 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: 7740682
    Abstract: An improved composite material, and method of manufacture thereof, comprising varying amounts tungsten powder, or metal/alloy powder of similar density, and clay or silicone is disclosed. The improved composite material may be useful as a replacement for lead and lead-based composites where similar densities are required but the use of lead is undesirable. The disclosed composite material permits a large variety of tungsten powder particle sizes to be utilized and results in improved ductility over known tungsten powder composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Randall C. Ragan, Randall M. Ragan, Richard Vaughn Culbertson
  • Patent number: 5769917
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a ceramic composition and a process for forming thin tapes and bodies with minimal and controllable firing-induced shrinkage. The composition comprises a refractory component, a glass component and may also include a metal component. The glass component should have no more than about five percent of particles less than 10 microns. The glass component is not milled with the refractory component. They are briefly blended, e.g., by high shear mixing, in a manner which will preserve the particle size and particle size distribution of the glass. The resultant mixture is cast into a sheet or tape, with minimal or no pressure, dried and fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventors: William C. Belko, Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 5518969
    Abstract: This invention provides a hard, strong ceramic body and method of manufacture whereby the body, after being formed into the desired shape and size can then be fired into a monolithic structure without any shrinkage or distortion during the firing operation. The "green," unfired ceramic composition comprises one or more powdered refractories and one or more powdered glasses which have a melting point below the softening point of the selected refractory material. Preferred refractories are alumina and zirconia; preferred glasses are lead borosilicate and barium borosilicate. The composition may also contain a metal powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 4225845
    Abstract: An open frame single turn potentiometer with a helical coil spring wiper including a resilient member situated between the substrate and the rotor. The resilient member consists of an annular ring preferably having a "D-shaped" or hemispherically shaped cross section. This "D" ring member performs the function of providing a spring action between the substrate and the rotor; means for controlling torque; and means for adjusting to the build-up in tolerences between the various component elements of the trimmer, thereby achieving optimum electrical and mechanical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 4158831
    Abstract: A single turn potentiometer is constructed as either an open frame or a housed unit. Both units incorporate a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor and supported by a hollow resilient pad. In the open-frame unit, the rotor includes a shaft which extends through a corresponding hole on a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate cooperates with the rotor and includes a deposited cermet resistance element and a circular collector ring. A stop arrangement is built into the rotor in the open-frame unit. The closed-frame unit includes a housing having a moulded-in stop for cooperation with a similar stop for cooperation with a similar stop on the rotor. In the open-frame unit, the shaft which protrudes through the hole in the substrate is of split configuration and is spread by an insert to hold the rotor to the substrate in riveting fashion. The closed-frame unit employs a peened-over portion of the housing which is used to constrain the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 4121188
    Abstract: A closed frame single turn potentiometer incorporating a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor. The rotor has a molded-in cavity for containing the wiper and a resilient backing element. The substrate has an aperture therein permitting adjustment of the rotor from either side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 4095210
    Abstract: A contact device for trimmer potentiometer including a helical coil spring wiper embedded in a cavity in an insulative body so that movement of the helical coil spring wiper is prevented as the contact device is moved along the potentiometer substrate. The insulative body may alternatively be provided with thin walls surrounding the cavity containing the helical coil spring wiper to permit the contact device to absorb backlash, while still preventing any relative movement of the helical coil spring wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan
  • Patent number: 3964011
    Abstract: A single turn potentiometer is constructed as either an open frame or a housed unit. Both units incorporate a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor. In the open-frame unit, the rotor includes a shaft which extends through a corresponding hole on a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate cooperates with the rotor and includes a deposited cermet resistance element and a circular collector ring. A stop arrangement is built into the rotor in the open-frame unit. The closed-frame unit includes a housing having a molded-in stop for cooperation with a similar stop on the rotor. In the open-frame unit, the shaft which protrudes through the hole in the substrate is of split configuration and is spread by an insert to hold the rotor to the substrate in riveting fashion. The closed-frame unit employs a peened-over portion of the housing which is used to constrain the assembly. Means and method for affixing the conductor leads to the substrate are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Randall C. Ragan