Patents by Inventor Richard T. Kidwell

Richard T. Kidwell 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: 6343414
    Abstract: A snap-disk formation assembly and method provides feedback control of a snap-disk form station in communication with an exercise station and coupled to a feedback station. A disk blank is inserted into a pocket and loaded into a dial fixture which travels along a communication axis between the form station, the exercise station, and the feedback station. The pocket holds the metal disk while a snap-disk reset side and a trip side are formed and exercised. A feedback station determines actual snap forces for one or both sides of the disk and provides feedback control to the form station to bring successively formed disks within desired manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Nice, Richard T. Kidwell