Patents by Inventor Rich Ballou
Rich Ballou 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: 8985490Abstract: A chopper pump with scissoring back cutters and having a housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening, both in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and an impeller assembly positioned within the chamber, is disclosed. Generally speaking, the impeller assembly comprises an impeller attached to a rotatable pump shaft and includes a back shroud. An insert cutter positioned on a surface of the shroud opposite the impeller includes a cutting edge configured for shearing operation, while a stationary back plate having a surface adjacent to and facing the back shroud includes a cutting rib having a cutting edge configured for shearing operation. The insert cutter and cutting rib work jointly to create a cutting action as the impeller in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Vaughan Company, Inc.Inventors: Glenn R. Dorsch, Kent H. Keeran, Rich Ballou, Alex Cahoon
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Patent number: 8905341Abstract: A screw-type centrifugal pump with scissoring back cutters and having a housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening, both in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and an impeller assembly positioned within the chamber, is disclosed. Generally speaking, the impeller assembly has a hub having a back shroud and being attached to a rotatable pump shaft, with an impeller attached to the hub. An insert cutter positioned on a surface of the hub shroud opposite the impeller includes a cutting edge configured for shearing operation, while a stationary back plate having a surface adjacent to and facing the hub shroud includes a cutting rib having a cutting edge configured for shearing operation. The insert cutter and cutting rib work jointly to create a cutting action as the hub rotates in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Vaughan Company, Inc.Inventors: Glenn R. Dorsch, Kent H. Keeran, Rich Ballou, Alex Cahoon
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Publication number: 20120251319Abstract: A chopper pump with scissoring back cutters and having a housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening, both in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and an impeller assembly positioned within the chamber, is disclosed. Generally speaking, the impeller assembly comprises an impeller attached to a rotatable pump shaft and includes a back shroud. An insert cutter positioned on a surface of the shroud opposite the impeller includes a cutting edge configured for shearing operation, while a stationary back plate having a surface adjacent to and facing the back shroud includes a cutting rib having a cutting edge configured for shearing operation. The insert cutter and cutting rib work jointly to create a cutting action as the impeller in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Vaughan Company, Inc.Inventors: Glenn R. Dorsch, Kent H. Keeran, Rich Ballou, Alex Cahoon
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Publication number: 20120114462Abstract: A screw-type centrifugal pump with scissoring back cutters and having a housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening, both in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and an impeller assembly positioned within the chamber, is disclosed. Generally speaking, the impeller assembly has a hub having a back shroud and being attached to a rotatable pump shaft, with an impeller attached to the hub. An insert cutter positioned on a surface of the hub shroud opposite the impeller includes a cutting edge configured for shearing operation, while a stationary back plate having a surface adjacent to and facing the hub shroud includes a cutting rib having a cutting edge configured for shearing operation. The insert cutter and cutting rib work jointly to create a cutting action as the hub rotates in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: Vaughan Company, Inc.Inventors: Glenn R. Dorsch, Kent H. Keeran, Rich Ballou, Alex Cahoon
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Patent number: 6782679Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
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Patent number: 6640700Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
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Publication number: 20020134252Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: Enterprises International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
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Publication number: 20020129717Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: Enterprises International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
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Patent number: 6415712Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects including a feed and tension unit, a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith