Patents by Inventor Randall G. Baxter

Randall G. Baxter 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: 8115147
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the induction heating system includes an induction heating power source. The induction heating power source is operable to identify an induction heating device coupled to the induction heating power source. The exemplary induction heating power source is operable to automatically limit power based on the identity of the induction heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Patent number: 8038931
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a workpiece. An induction heating system is used to induce magnetic fields in a workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. The induction heating system may comprise a portable power source, a portable power source controller, a fluid-cooled induction heating cable, and a portable cooling unit. The induction heating system may be used to perform a variety of induction heating operations, including: annealing, surface hardening, heat treating, stress-relieving, curing, shrink-fitting, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Patent number: 7786415
    Abstract: A system and method for inductively heating a work piece. The induction heating system is coupleable to a plurality of temperature feedback devices operable to provide a signal representative of work piece temperature. The induction heating system is operable to control the output of the induction heating system based on the plurality of signals representative of work piece temperature received from the plurality of temperature feedback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Paul D. Verhagen, Edward G. Beistle
  • Patent number: 7696458
    Abstract: A system and method for inductively heating a work piece. The induction heating system is coupleable to at least one temperature feedback device. The temperature feedback device is disposed within the induction heating system to provide a signal representative of the temperature of an induction heating system component. The induction heating system is operable to control the output of the induction heating system based on the temperature of the induction heating system component to protect the component from heat damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Paul D. Verhagen, Edward G. Beistle, Brian J. Veik
  • Patent number: 7122770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Patent number: 7015439
    Abstract: A workpiece heating system having an induction heating power source and a controller. The controller is operable to control the operation of the power source according to programming instructions received from a user. The controller enables a user to establish a sequence of inductive heating operations to be performed automatically by the induction heating system from among a selection of inductive heating operations. A temperature feedback device may be included to provide the controller with the workpiece temperature. A data recorder may be provided to receive and record the workpiece temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Patent number: 6727483
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Publication number: 20030038130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen